I get where you’re coming from, but I’m still on the fence about rental coverage. I just bought my first car and honestly, every extra add-on feels like a money grab. Maybe it’s different if you’ve got more than one car or if repairs take forever where you live, but for me, I’m kinda rolling the dice. If something happens, I’ll probably just bum rides or use the bus for a bit. Not ideal, but it saves a few bucks each month... at least until I get burned, I guess.
I used to skip rental coverage too, figured I’d just tough it out if my car ever ended up in the shop. Then last year, someone sideswiped me in a parking lot and my car was out of commission for almost two weeks—way longer than I expected. The bus worked for a bit, but juggling work and errands got old fast. Ended up borrowing my cousin’s car and feeling like a total mooch. It’s not cheap, but after that headache, I decided it was worth the extra few bucks for some peace of mind. Guess it depends how much hassle you’re willing to risk.
Rental coverage always felt like one of those “nice to have but probably won’t use” add-ons to me—until I got burned. My ‘92 Miata got rear-ended at a stoplight (of all places, right?) and the body shop took nearly three weeks to source a replacement tail light assembly. Apparently, parts for old imports on the islands are like unicorns. I figured I’d just ride my bike or bum rides, but after day four of juggling work, groceries, and rain, I caved and shelled out for a rental anyway. Ended up paying way more than what the coverage would’ve cost for the whole year.
I get why folks skip it, though. If you’ve got a backup car or work from home, maybe it’s not a big deal. But for me, with a daily driver that’s always flirting with “classic” status, I realized I’m rolling the dice every time I pass on that coverage. Plus, it’s not just about convenience—it’s about not having to stress over logistics when something goes sideways.
Funny thing is, some insurers here don’t even offer decent rental coverage options, or they cap you at like $25 a day, which barely gets you a golf cart. I had to call around and ask specifically about classic car policies and make sure the rental allowance would actually cover something usable. Bit of a hassle, but worth it for peace of mind.
Honestly, if your car’s your main way of getting around, I’d say it’s one of those corners not worth cutting. But yeah, totally depends on your situation and how much inconvenience you can tolerate.
Had a similar wake-up call a few years back—my Tacoma got sideswiped and the shop kept it for almost a month waiting on a bumper. I thought I’d be fine just borrowing my neighbor’s car here and there, but that got old fast. Ended up paying out of pocket for a rental, which stung way more than the extra $40 a year for coverage would’ve. Honestly, I tell people not to cheap out on this stuff, especially out here where parts take forever. It’s one of those things you don’t think about until you’re stuck.
I get where you’re coming from, but honestly, I’ve had a different experience. I’ve always skipped rental coverage and just used rideshare or borrowed a car if mine’s in the shop. It’s not ideal, but for me, the extra coverage never seemed worth it—especially since I rarely need it. Maybe it’s just luck, but I’d rather put that money toward a higher deductible and save on premiums overall.