I totally get where you’re coming from. I’m actually shopping for rental insurance for the first time and honestly, the stories about companies charging for tiny chips or scratches make me nervous. I keep thinking, is it really worth paying extra when I’m already on a tight budget? But then again, the idea of getting stuck with a big bill for something small just stresses me out more.
I guess for me, it’s about weighing the risk. If it’s just a few bucks a day, maybe it’s not such a bad deal for peace of mind, especially if you’ve had issues before. Still feels a bit like they’re banking on people’s fear though... but maybe that’s just how insurance works in general.
Honestly, I’ve always been a bit skeptical about rental insurance. Last year, we rented a minivan for a family trip and skipped the extra coverage. I was nervous at first, but our credit card actually covered most of what the rental company was offering. We did a super thorough walk-around, took photos, and had no issues. I get why people want the peace of mind, but sometimes it feels like they’re just stacking fees. Just gotta read the fine print and see what you’re already covered for—sometimes you’re paying for the same thing twice.
Rental Car Insurance: Worth It Or Just A Money Grab?
Just gotta read the fine print and see what you’re already covered for—sometimes you’re paying for the same thing twice.
That’s exactly what I keep wondering about. Like, how many people actually know what their credit card or regular car insurance covers before they get to the rental counter? I’ve rented a few times and every single time, the agent tries to upsell me on all these different “protections.” Last time, I asked them to break down what each one actually covered, and honestly, it sounded like a lot of overlap with my own policy.
Here’s where I get stuck though: what about those weird situations that aren’t obvious? For example, if someone else hits your rental in a parking lot and takes off—does your credit card still cover that? Or if you’re driving in another country, does any of this even apply? I feel like there are so many little exceptions buried in the terms that it’s almost impossible to be 100% sure.
I did the photo thing too, and even took a video just in case. But then I started thinking... what if they claim there’s “undercarriage damage” or something you can’t really see? Has anyone actually had to fight a bogus charge like that? Did your credit card company back you up?
I’m all for saving money and not paying for duplicate coverage, but sometimes it feels like you’re gambling a bit. Is it just me, or do rental companies make the process intentionally confusing so more people just say yes to everything out of fear?
Curious if anyone’s ever regretted skipping the insurance—or maybe regretted buying it when they didn’t need to.
what about those weird situations that aren’t obvious? For example, if someone else hits your rental in a parking lot and takes off—does your credit card still cover that?
That’s the tricky part. Most credit cards only cover collision damage, not liability or “loss of use” fees. If it’s a hit-and-run, you might be on the hook for stuff your card doesn’t handle, especially admin fees or downtime. I’ve had to dispute a bogus scratch charge once—my card company eventually covered it, but it took weeks and tons of paperwork. Honestly, unless you’re super clear on your coverage, skipping the rental insurance can be risky. The fine print is brutal.
Yeah, those weird scenarios are where things get messy. I’ve had a rental get dinged in a hotel lot—no note, nothing. My credit card covered the repair, but the rental company tried to tack on “loss of use” and admin fees. That part wasn’t covered, so I ended up paying out of pocket. Honestly, if you’re not 100% sure what your card covers, the extra insurance can save you a headache. The paperwork alone is enough to make you think twice...
