Credit Card Deals: Free Rental Car Insurance Ballston Spa NY

By Eva Norlyk Herriott

If you’re like most people, you’re probably confused about what is covered by your auto insurance policy when you rent a car. According to a survey by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), four out of ten car renters have only a vague idea to what degree their auto insurance covers rental cars. About one third end up buying the rental car company’s insurance just to make sure they’re covered.

This can quickly become an expensive affair. Auto rental companies sell not just one, but multiple types of coverage: collision damage waivers, loss damage waivers, supplemental liability insurance, personal accident insurance and personal effects protection. By the time you’re done, the insurance costs can end up almost doubling your rental cost.

The good news is that you may not need that extra insurance. Supplemental auto insurance is one of the great credit card deals available to most cardholders. All you have to do to get the benefit is simply charge the rental fee to your credit card.

Most credit cards include collision and theft protection over and above what is provided by your personal auto insurance. This means that your credit card company may reimburse you for the deductible on your personal automobile insurance, plus any reasonable administrative costs and loss-of-use charges imposed by the rental car company. Most credit cards also pick up the tab for towing charges (within reason) associated with repair to the rental car. ...

Click here to read the full credit card article from CreditCard Guide.