Honestly, I’ve always skipped the extra insurance too. Last summer, I rented a minivan in Richmond for a family trip—just used my regular auto policy and checked that my credit card covered the...
Honestly, I get where you’re coming from, but I had a weird experience last year that made me rethink skipping the extra coverage. The rental got a tiny scratch in the grocery store parking lot—nothing major, but the rental company still tried to charge me for “diminished value” on top of the repair. My credit card covered some, but not all of it. I guess it depends how much you want to gamble with those random fees. Sometimes peace of mind is worth a few bucks, especially if you’re far from home.
Here’s what I don’t get—if your own auto insurance and credit card both say they cover rentals, why do these companies still find ways to tack on extra charges? Is it just a loophole thing, or are there actually situations where neither covers you fully? I’ve always figured the “diminished value” stuff was a scare tactic, but maybe I’m missing something. Anyone ever actually fought those fees and won, or is it just easier to pay for the extra coverage and not stress?
Title: Do I really need extra insurance when renting a car in VA?
I’ve wondered the same thing, honestly. My regular insurance supposedly covers rentals, but then there’s all this fine print about “loss of use” and “diminished value.” I once tried to argue a bogus cleaning fee—total waste of time. Sometimes it feels like they just want you to give up and pay for peace of mind... but I still never buy the extra coverage. Maybe I’m just stubborn?
I get where you’re coming from—those “loss of use” and “diminished value” clauses are sneaky. I’ve had clients surprised by those gaps when a claim actually happens. Honestly, I always double-check my own policy before renting. Ever tried asking your insurer directly about those specifics? Sometimes the answer’s clearer than the rental desk makes it sound.
I’ve actually been burned by that “loss of use” thing before—thought my regular insurance had me covered, but nope, ended up with a bill from the rental company for days the car was in the shop. Ever notice how the rental folks gloss over that part? I started calling my insurer before every trip just to be sure. Do you think it’s worth paying extra for their coverage, or is it just peace of mind?