Renting a car is done online these days for the most part and as soon as you start the process, questions about what insurance coverage you want to purchase are being thrown at you. It can be intimidating. You may end up purchasing more insurance than you need just to get through the renting process. At Patrick McNealis Insurance and Financial Group in Emmaus, PA, we are an independent insurance agency that believes in providing our customers with personalized and caring service. 

Not everyone has insurance that will cover a rental car. If you have basic insurance, which is liability coverage, you will only be partially covered and will need additional coverage. You have to protect the vehicle you are renting in the event you damage it. In order to be protected by your personal auto insurance, you must have a full-coverage policy that includes collision and comprehensive coverage. If you have an older vehicle with complete coverage, check with your insurance agent to make sure it will provide enough coverage for a newer, more expensive vehicle. 

The rental car company will try to sell you additional liability coverage. If you are comfortable with the amount of coverage that you live with on your own policy, you don’t need this coverage. If you have home, renters, or condo insurance, your personal property is covered in the vehicle you are renting, so you don’t need that coverage either. 

Always check with your credit card company to see what benefits it provides. Many cover you for a rental car if you use that credit card to book and pay for your rental. If you don’t have the right auto insurance, getting CDW (collision damage waiver) coverage from the rental company takes the place of that coverage. 

Contact Patrick McNealis Insurance and Financial Group in Emmaus, PA, when you need auto insurance.