Rental Car Insurance Issues
Car Accident Attorney Serving Dallas and North Texas
When you rent a car, the rental company will generally try to convince you to purchase rental car insurance. This insurance costs extra, and in many cases the premium charged is fairly expensive. If you have good coverage on your personal auto insurance policy, you generally do not need to purchase rental car insurance.
Many consumer protection agencies argue that rental car insurance is not worth purchasing for several reasons:
- It often overlaps with coverage already provided by your personal auto insurance
- There are many loopholes to rental car insurance which prevent you from receiving the coverage you purchased
- Certain damages, such as bodily injury, are not even covered by rental car insurance
Before deciding whether to purchase rental car insurance, make sure to examine the following policies to see what you are already covered for:
- Your personal car insurance and homeowner’s insurance policies
- Your employer’s insurance policy – for rental cars used when traveling on business
- Your credit cards – many credit card companies offer insurance for damage to rental cars when you use the credit card to pay for the rental
- Your automobile club memberships
Understanding Rental Insurance Coverage
Most rental car companies call their insurance policy a loss damage waiver (LDW). It is important to understand that LDW is not actually an insurance policy. It is simply a waiver of the rental car company’s requirement that the vehicle be returned in the same condition as it was when you took possession of it.
Most rental car agreements will hold you accountable for any damage to the vehicle while it is your possession. This may include damage due to a car accident, weather-related damage, and damage caused by theft or vandalism. When you purchase LDW rental insurance, the rental car company is waiving your responsibility to cover damage to the vehicle.
However, it is important to understand that this rental insurance often only covers damage to the rental car. In the event that you are involved in a car accident, this coverage will most likely not cover damage to the other vehicle or medical expenses to injured victims when the accident is considered to be your fault. As a result, you may still shoulder a considerable financial responsibility for the car accident, even if you purchased this LDW rental insurance.
You Need an Experienced Car Accident Lawyer
If you have been involved in a car accident while driving a rental car, it is important to work with an experienced car accident lawyer. Regardless of who is at fault for the accident, you will have multiple parties to deal with after the car accident, including your insurance company, the other driver’s insurance company, and the rental car company. Having a good lawyer on your side will ensure that your rights are protected through the entire process. Remember, the insurance agencies and rental car companies are not concerned with helping you out. They are looking to minimize their expenses associated with your car accident.
The Dallas car accident attorneys at Polewski & Associates have more than 25 years of experience handling these complex cases. We know the laws governing car accidents involving rental cars, and our car accident lawyers can help you hold the negligent parties accountable for your damages. We can help you navigate the terms of your rental insurance policy to ensure that you receive all of the coverage to which you are entitled.
Please contact us today to schedule your free initial consultation. Polewski & Associates serves clients in Dallas and throughout North Texas.
