Does my insurance cover a rental car?

One of the most common questions I receive from my clients is – will my insurance cover me if I go rent a car? The answer – in most cases, yes, but there are some things we want to make you aware of.

It’s the Holiday Season, you and the family (don’t forget the pooch) are supposed to celebrate the holidays with your in-laws in Tennessee. You have the kids, gifts, suitcases (and don’t forget Milo) – you should probably rent a larger vehicle so the family can travel in comfort. Just as you’re about to drive the van off the lot, the clerk asks you – would you be interested in purchasing our insurance so that you are protected in the event of an accident? Thoughts start swirling in your head – doesn’t my current policy cover this already, who is my current policy with, what if something terrible happens? Let us try to clarify this for you- Yes, your current auto policy automatically extends coverage to the vehicle you rented (as long as you have comprehensive and collision coverage on at least one vehicle); however, you will be responsible for your deductible in the event of a claim. It is also important to note your auto policy will not cover “loss of use”. “Loss of use” is a daily rate that the rental car company can charge you for every day they are unable to rent out the vehicle due to its damages.

Another thing to keep in mind – many credit card companies (especially the travel credit cards) offer included coverage for rental vehicles when the rental vehicle charge is placed on that card. We encourage you to research your own credit card details or better yet, call the card issuer and ask them if they cover damages to rental vehicles. Hopefully this offered some clarification but if you still have any questions, feel free to reach out to us directly. We wish you and the family (Milo, too) a safe and happy holiday!

How to Choose the Right Auto Body Shop

It’s happened – you were unfortunately involved in your first auto accident; everyone is okay but your trusty vehicle has suffered the blow and is in need of repairs. Your insurance company points you in one direction, your local dealership recommends a different auto body shop and your favorite dog loving neighbor tells you to go to his cousin’s best friend’s son’s auto body shop. Choosing an auto body shop can be an overwhelming and foreign task which is why we talked to the experts so you can be prepared.

Did you know in the state of Ohio you reserve the right to take your vehicle to the body shop of your choosing? Not only that, you are not required to get multiple estimates. You read that correctly – you only have to get one estimate from the body shop of your choosing! How can you choose the right auto body shop for you?

– Your insurance company will likely recommend an auto body shop in your area that works directly with them (direct repair program). You are not obligated to use the shop your insurance recommends but it does come with some perks such as a more seamless process as well as being backed by a trusty guarantee!
– If your dealership doesn’t have an actual body shop on premises, they likely partner with a local body shop. It is likely that the recommended body shop has gone through extensive training specific to your vehicle make and model.
– Your friends, family and neighbors will surely be quick to voice both positive and negative experiences at their local body shops. While we are grateful for personal reviews in this day and age, here are some things you might want to ask the body shop – do you have a rental vehicle presence on premises, are your technicians I-Car certified, do you offer your own warranty/guarantee outside of the insurance company?

Some additional items to keep in mind:

While you are not obligated to get more than one estimate, you absolutely can shop around if it makes you feel more comfortable or if you just want to test the waters of their customer service!

Body work + paint can add up quickly so don’t be surprised when you see the final estimate!

A common misconception is that the auto body shop chooses which kind of parts to use on your vehicle (aftermarket, used, new). This is false! Your insurance company actually makes that decision. If you have questions about what your insurance company allows – please call us and we would be happy to go over your policy with you!

Of course, we hope you never have to visit an auto body shop but in the event that you do, please know we are here for you to walk you through the process or offer guidance.

What’s the difference between full coverage & liability only for car insurance?

 

Car insurance can be a tricky subject for anyone. How do you know whether your car needs liability only or full coverage? Do you know the difference? Has anyone ever explained it to you? Here are some key points about what each means and which makes the most sense for your car.

Liability only simply means that you are only insuring the bodily injury or property damage of someone ELSE. If you’re in an accident that is your fault your insurance will pay for the other party’s vehicle and their possible injuries. You would be on the hook to repair or replace your vehicle. However, if you’re in an accident that is the other party’s fault, THEIR insurance must pay for your damages to your car and potential injuries.

Full coverage means you are insuring for both the other person’s injuries and damages as well as for your own car’s potential damages. Keep in mind that there is are deductibles attached to this full coverage option that will come into play in the event of an accident. Also, it is important to note that this option is more expensive than liability only because the insurance company is taking on more risk in the event of an accident. Full coverage may also mean that you carry towing, rental reimbursement, and loan/lease gap coverage, but not all agents would consider that as a part of the full coverage option. Make sure you check on that prior to insuring your car.

Now that you know what the difference between liability only and full coverage is; how do you decide which one you should have? This can be complicated and in most cases it really comes down to personal preference.

Generally speaking, if your car is older (more than 10 years old) and has high mileage, you may want to consider having liability only. By the time you would pay your deductible and the extra cost for insurance, it might not be worth it to have full coverage on an older car.

Full coverage, on the other hand, is required when you have a loan on the car or it is leased. The bank will require you to carry this coverage so their loan will be repaid in the event you total the car in an accident. Even if the car isn’t leased or financed, this might be the right coverage for you if your car is newer and has low mileage.

Your insurance agent should be able to offer their advice on this subject by going over the items mentioned above. Feel free to call us at 440-236-5041 or email us at info@frankclarkeagency.com and we would be more than happy to offer our own advice. You can also complete the form below for a car insurance quote.  Just remember, though, the decision is ultimately yours.

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