car while yours is getting repaired after damage. (It doesn’t cover a rental car for normal maintenance or fixes or if you rent a car solely for travel purposes.) This coverage has two kinds of limits: per day and per accident. It lets you get a car similar to yours, but if your car is going to be in the shop for a while, ask for a car that costs less so you won’t have to worry about exceeding that per- accident limit.
Pro Tip: Take a Temporary Downgrade
If you have rental reimbursement coverage, ask for a car that costs less than your daily limit. This means it’ll take longer to reach your per-accident limit, so you’ll be less likely to have to pay anything out-of-pocket. It’s important to note that rental reimbursement does not cover your rental car if something should happen to it. However, your collision and comprehensive coverage might, so before you rent the car, check with your insurance company. You may also have a credit card that covers you, so look into those benefits as well. (Keep in mind this is usually a secondary coverage and may come with some exclusions, so read all the details.) Lastly, know that your rental company’s rate includes basic liability coverage. This means you’re covered for minor accidents and damage, but not major ones. For more details about coverage for rental cars, read Chapter 13, which focuses on insuring cars other than your regularly used personal vehicles.
What’s Not Covered
Even with all these options, there are some things a regular auto insurance policy just doesn’t cover. One is purposefully hitting another car, person, or property (not that you’d even think of doing that!).
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