A New York resident is on vacation and has stopped into a rental car agency. Let’s listen in:
Customer: “Hello, I came to pick up my rental car. I was told it was $30 per day”.
Salesman: “Sure, but you should really get the “rental insurance” on it for an extra $10. Otherwise, you may be responsible for any damage to the car or injuries to others.”
What do you say? Do you buy the insurance?
What is really irksome is that they lured you in with a quote that did not include insurance and now they are telling you you really need the insurance, which increases the price they quoted for you significantly. It’s a kind of switch-and-bait. Now they are using scare tactics to get you to bite.
But again, what do you do?
Well, here’s your answer if you are a New York resident with an auto policy issued in New York: NO THANKS, I DON’T NEED IT!
At least that’s the answer if the rental contract does not exceed 30 days and the rental car will not be driven out of the United States and/or Canada. The extra “collision damage waiver” and the “liability” insurance they are trying to sell you does you no good at all. Your own New York auto insurance automatically covers it!
Don’t believe me? Pull out your auto insurance and look for the section called “rental insurance”. See what I mean?
This is not typical of insurance policies issued in other states, such as Florida, which is why Florida residents may need to purchase this additional insurance.
Caveat: The rental car insurance in your New York policy is only automatic if you have fewer than five vehicles insured and if the insurance is issued to you and your spouse only. Also, note that policies insuring certain types of vehicles, such as most types of trucks, are not required to include the rental vehicle coverage. If you are not sure whether your own auto policy covers rentals, call you insurance agent and find out.
Don’t pay more than you have to. Don’t buy rental insurance without calling your insurance agent to make sure you really need it.
Hope you enjoyed this friendly money-pinching tip from your favorite Central New York personal injury lawyer!
Keep safe!
Mike Bersani
Email me at: bersani@mbk-law.com I’d love to hear from you!
Michael G. Bersani, Esq.
mbk-law.com
Central NY Personal Injury Lawyers
Michaels Bersani Kalabanka
1-315-253-3293