Honestly, I get the peace of mind thing, but those extra insurance fees add up way too fast for me. I’ve got a couple tickets on my record, so my regular insurance isn’t cheap to begin with. Last time I rented, I just stuck with my own coverage and crossed my fingers—ended up saving like $100. The “loss of use” stuff is annoying, but I’d rather risk it than pay double. Maybe I’m just too stubborn about not giving rental companies more money than I have to...
I totally get where you’re coming from—those rental counter insurance fees feel like daylight robbery sometimes, especially if your regular insurance is already pricey. But here’s the thing: while skipping the extra coverage can save you a chunk upfront, it’s not always as cut-and-dry as it seems. I’ve seen people get burned by “loss of use” charges or even diminished value claims that their personal auto policy didn’t fully cover. It’s rare, but when it happens, it stings.
You mentioned GEICO—most big insurers do extend your coverage to rentals, but there are always those sneaky exceptions buried in the fine print. For example, some policies don’t cover luxury cars, trucks, or rentals outside the US/Canada. And if you’re using a debit card instead of a credit card at the counter, sometimes you lose out on that secondary coverage credit cards offer. It’s a mess.
Honestly, with a couple tickets on your record, I’d double-check how much your deductible is and whether your policy would actually pay for “loss of use” if something went sideways. Some companies are pretty strict about that stuff. I had a client once who thought he was covered for everything—turns out his insurer only paid for the repairs, not the rental company’s downtime charges. He ended up paying more than he would’ve spent on the rental insurance in the first place.
But hey, if you’re renting for just a day or two and not driving anything fancy or risky, rolling the dice isn’t unreasonable. Just make sure you know exactly what your policy covers (and doesn’t). Sometimes stubbornness pays off... other times it bites back.
At the end of the day, it’s about risk tolerance. If saving $100 is worth a little anxiety and you’re comfortable with what could happen in a worst-case scenario, more power to you. Just don’t let those rental agents guilt-trip you into buying something you don’t need—they’re pros at that game.
Honestly, you nailed it with the “loss of use” and diminished value stuff—most folks have no idea those aren’t always covered. I’ve seen people get blindsided by those charges after thinking their regular policy had them set. One thing I’d add: if you’re renting in a state where insurance laws are weird (looking at you, New York and California), sometimes the rental company’s coverage is actually cheaper or more comprehensive than your own. It’s not common, but worth checking. Personally, I hate paying extra, but sometimes that $20/day is just peace of mind... especially if you’re on a work trip or tight schedule.
I hear you on the peace of mind thing. I used to roll the dice and skip the extra coverage, but after a fender bender in LA (rental, of course), I got hit with “loss of use” fees my policy didn’t touch. Now, if I’m renting something fancy or in a state with weird rules, I just pay the extra. It stings, but it’s way less stressful than arguing with insurance later.
That “loss of use” fee is exactly what got me rethinking my approach, too. I used to just assume my regular insurance (also GEICO) would cover everything, but after reading the fine print and hearing stories like yours, I realized there are all these little gaps. Now, before I rent, I go through a quick checklist: 1) Does my policy cover rentals? 2) What about liability in the state I’m visiting? 3) Any weird exclusions or fees like “loss of use” or diminished value?
I’ve started leaning toward paying for the rental company’s coverage if I’m traveling somewhere unfamiliar or renting anything more expensive than my usual family sedan. It’s not cheap, but it’s less hassle than fighting with insurance adjusters later.
Curious—has anyone ever had their credit card coverage actually pay out on a claim? I’ve heard mixed things about how reliable that is, especially with those extra fees.
