When renting a vehicle for a trip many consumers assume that their auto insurance policy and all coverage associated with their auto insurance policy will transfer to the rental vehicle itself.
This is not always the case.
In fact, in most cases not all of the coverage will transfer and the amount of coverage that does transfer depends on the reason for renting the vehicle, the coverage on the vehicles scheduled on the policy, and the person that will be renting the vehicle.
Many insurance companies offer that the coverage that will transfer to a rentalwill transfer to the person that is the named insured on the policy.
People that are listed as additional drivers on the auto insurance policy will not always have coverage transfer over to the rental vehicle itself.
An example of this would be that if a child is listed on their parent's insurance policy as a driver.
If this child were to go out and rent a vehicle, not all insurance companies would transfer the coverage to the rental being rented by the child.
If the parents, that are listed as the named insured, where to rent the vehicle, with the same insurance company, coverage would often transfer.
In some cases this coverage will transfer to the rental vehicle on a liability only basis, some will not transfer at all, and some will transfer all coverage to the vehicle.
Coverage transferring to the rental vehicle will also vary based upon the reason for renting the vehicle.
If the insured is renting the vehicle in order to replace a vehicle listed on the policy that is involved in a claim, often times all coverage of the vehicle being replaced will transfer.
Consumer should speak with their insurance agent or insurance company prior to renting a vehicle to see what coverage will transfer.
In situations that coverage does not transfer to the rental vehicle it will be able to be purchased from the rental car company.