Rented a car last weekend for a quick road trip, and at the counter they asked if I wanted the damage waiver thingy. Usually I skip it, but this time I was like, "um, maybe?" Ended up getting it just to be safe. Nothing happened (thankfully), but now I'm wondering if it was just a waste of money. Curious if anyone here has actually had to use one and if it saved your butt or just drained your wallet...
Honestly, here's how I see it: if you're renting something basic and cheap, your credit card probably covers you anyway. But if you're grabbing something fancy or luxury (like I usually do), step one: get the waiver. Step two: drive without sweating bullets every time a pebble hits the windshield. Had a buddy who skipped it once on a BMW rental—tiny scratch cost him hundreds. Lesson learned... peace of mind ain't cheap, but neither are luxury car repairs.
Interesting perspective, though I tend to be a bit skeptical about these waivers myself. Last summer, I rented a classic Mustang convertible for a weekend road trip—beautiful car, pristine condition. I debated the waiver but ultimately went for it. Sure enough, someone dinged the door in a parking lot... minor damage, but repairs on vintage or luxury cars can escalate quickly. Still makes me wonder though: are rental companies inflating repair costs because they know insurance covers it? Hard to say...
