Understanding Your Rental Car Insurance as You Travel

Renting a car for your next road trip? Then here's what you need to know about your insurance coverage.

If you are taking a road trip, then renting a car is a great idea. Not only does this save you from racking up miles on your personal vehicle, but it also allows you to choose a make and model that is better suited for the type of driving you will be doing on the trip. However, when it comes to rental car insurance, many drivers are not sure what to do. Here are some of the things that you should know about rental car coverage as you travel.

Coverage Limits

When it comes to rental cars, your existing auto policy may offer you some coverage. Check with your policy and determine if you have this coverage and discuss with your agent to see if this is enough. If you need supplemental coverage, then you can always secure it through the car rental company.

Please keep in mind that rental car insurance is only valid when you are driving within U.S. borders. If you rent a car internationally or if you drive a car to Canada or Mexico, then you will no longer have coverage through your policy.

Road Trip Safety

While you have the right rental car insurance to protect you during your road trip, you don't want to access this coverage unless you absolutely have to. This is why it's important to take steps that reduce your chances for accident and car theft. Here are some of the safety precautions that you should employ:

• Park Wisely- Park your rental car in brightly lit, well-populated areas. This will reduce the chance of someone breaking in and stealing the car.
• Secure Your Car- Before leaving the car, make sure that all the windows are rolled up and check to ensure that the doors are locked. You should never leave your car running with the keys inside, even if you are only exiting the car for a short time. This makes it very easy for a criminal to drive away with your rental.
• Hide Valuables- Do not keep valuables such as your phone or wallet in plain sight. This will increase the chances of your car being targeted by thieves.
• Drive Defensively-When driving, avoid irresponsible or reckless driving behaviors. For instance, you should not speed, tailgate, aggressively change lanes, and so on as these unsafe driving behaviors increase your risk for an auto accident.
• Stay Calm- If you encounter another driver who is behaving erratically, then remain calm and do your best to avoid them. Getting upset and engaging in a road rage scenario could lead to a dangerous stand-off.

This is what you need to know about your rental car insurance when you travel. Do you have further questions regarding your auto insurance? If so, then contact the experts at the Scavone Insurance Agency Center LLC in White Plains, New York today.