Community Forums

moore.edward · 01-17-2011, 03:27 AM

Do I need to show proof of insurance while renting a car? I've never had this problem before with Hertz, but recently when I went to Enterprise to ask for a car, they wanted to see my insurance card and refused to rent the car till I bought insurance from them. Has this happened with anybody else?

The Beaver · 01-17-2011, 06:47 AM

Were you paying in cash or debit card? It is my understanding that some branch offices require proof of insurance if this form of payment is used. You might check out Enterprise website.

tncruiser · 01-17-2011, 06:50 AM

its their car ,if i were them i would want it.
your agent should be able to fax them a copy
also most credit cards cover you for some losses
when renting,j believe in most states proof of ins
must be shown to police officer if you are involved in
an accident or a prefomance evaluation (traffic stop)
brianj

IC2 · 01-17-2011, 06:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moore.edward

Do I need to show proof of insurance while renting a car? I've never had this problem before with Hertz, but recently when I went to Enterprise to ask for a car, they wanted to see my insurance card and refused to rent the car till I bought insurance from them. Has this happened with anybody else?

I have rented from all of the large national American companies and several of the European and have never had to show any insurance ID card. My guess is that if you are declining their bloated insurance options and are not using a credit card that has coverage, they want some assurance that if you wreck one of their cars that it can be financially covered. I use my MC and their coverage does work.

rebelone · 01-17-2011, 07:35 AM

Your car insurance should cover rental cars. My insurance Co. here in Canada covers me. Check it out before they rip you off. I got taken a few years ago before I asked my insurance people.

bldrbob · 01-17-2011, 08:14 AM

Just make sure if you do not take their insurance that you check carefully for damage before you leave the lot.Some will try to collect on previous damage .THey charge you for the damage but don't fix it so they can collect again.
BOB

Wayne M · 01-17-2011, 08:37 AM

Also they have a very high deductible on their insurance. This should be revealed to you up front, or in their small print. Ask before purchasing. Asking for a lower deductible will really raise you rental costs.

I don't understand why someone does not carry proof of insurance on their person. I know, I know, the proof of insurance is in the glove compartment, or in the holder above the visor in some cases. However, 99 percent of the time your insurance will cover you for any car you drive, mom's, dad's, other family, etc.

Vegasdan · 01-17-2011, 09:39 AM

Always make sure you do a walk around to check for damage-scratches-etc, and get everything notated on the rental paperwork.

blackf3504dr · 01-17-2011, 10:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vegasdan

Always make sure you do a walk around to check for damage-scratches-etc, and get everything notated on the rental paperwork.

To carry this a little further, take pictures of the car sitting in the rental lot before you even get in it.

rebelone · 01-17-2011, 10:46 AM

Most Ins. Co. give you more than one card to put in your car, I know mine does. Also I carry the agents card with me for reference, phone No. etc.

paz · 01-17-2011, 12:55 PM

Before declining the insurance offered by the rental company, call your company to make sure you are covered for a rental car - don't just assume you're covered.

Also, even if your insurance covers you for damage to a rental car, the rental company may also charge you for loss of use of the rental vehicle while it is tied up for repairs. Loss of use will probably not be covered by your insurance.

JMonroe · 01-17-2011, 04:51 PM

I always loved claims of 'loss of use' made by rental car companies. My response was as soon as they proved that their entire fleet, at that location, was rented out that day and they had to turn business away, I'd consider paying their net loss. Another favorite of mine was "administrative costs". Their argument was always that they had to pay someone to process the claim on their end. I always had two arguments for that. Those claims were usually handled by the local branch manager. If so I'd always ask, how much of a 'bonus' did you get paid for dealing with this? Never had one say they got more money for handling damage claims. My next question was always, "why should you be in a better position than Joe Citizen, who wouldn't be allowed to make a claim for his/her time in providing proof of claim"?

Of course, throw enough money at the state legislature and you can get preferential treatment. Eventually they were given a statutory right to both charges. The rest of us pay for it, one way or another.

Yup, loved working with rental companies...

moore.edward · 01-19-2011, 09:30 PM

I haven't asked my car insurance company, but since I declined their insurance, they asked to see proof of mine. Though I did tell them I had insurance already and kind of remembered that my car insurance covered my rentals as well, they were fixed about my having to buy car insurance from them! Thanks for the advice about checking the cars and stuff; though I haven't done that yet, I think it makes sense to be cautious these days...you never know.

Possum · 01-19-2011, 11:14 PM

BTW when taking the pictures of the rental car make sure you get the license plate in one picture and the agent renting you the car in one picture with the unscathed car in the same picture. I know its a hassle at airports but if you push that a little bit they usually don't screw you around. When I lived in Ontario it was no problem getting a proof of insurance card from your agent but I now live in BC (Bring Cash) and we are stuck with ICBC government insurance and the agents out here have no clue what a proof of insurance card is and why you would need one.