Had to laugh at the demolition derby bit—my kids would say that describes my parallel parking. But really, I’ve done the same thing: called my insurance before a trip to double-check what’s covered. One time in Colorado, I skipped the extra insurance and ended up with a windshield chip from a rogue pebble. My own policy handled it, but the paperwork was a pain. Still, I’d rather deal with that than pay for coverage I probably won’t need. Just gotta weigh how much hassle you’re willing to risk, I guess.
I totally get the hassle part—honestly, paperwork stresses me out more than paying a few extra bucks upfront. First time renting, I actually did the math and called my insurer twice just to be sure. Ended up adding the rental company’s coverage anyway because I just couldn’t shake the “what if” feeling. Maybe overkill, but I slept better.
I’m right there with you on the “what if” spiral. My brain basically invents disaster scenarios the second I touch a rental car key. I ended up buying the extra coverage too, even though my regular insurance supposedly covered rentals. Figured I’d rather pay for peace of mind than risk explaining to my mom why I owe a rental company $10k because a moose decided to say hi. Maybe it’s overkill, but sleep is priceless, right?
I totally get the “sleep is priceless” thing—been there, paid the extra $20 a day just for the mental break. That said, I always wonder if people actually read their insurance policies or just trust what the agent says. I found out my credit card covers rentals too, but only if I decline the rental company’s coverage. It gets confusing fast. Anyone ever had to file a claim with their regular insurance after a rental mishap? Curious if it’s as much of a headache as it sounds...
I found out my credit card covers rentals too, but only if I decline the rental company’s coverage. It gets confusing fast.
You’re not alone—those insurance layers are a headache. I’ve had to file through my regular auto insurance after a fender bender in a rental. Here’s what I learned:
- Your own policy usually treats it like any other claim, so expect your deductible and possible premium hike.
- Credit card coverage is secondary, so you have to go through your insurance first.
- The paperwork shuffle is real... lots of back and forth.
Honestly, paying extra for peace of mind isn’t crazy, especially if you’re on vacation and don’t want to deal with the hassle later. But yeah, reading the fine print is key—agents don’t always spell it out.
