I actually got dinged for “loss of use” once after a fender bender in a rental. My regular insurance straight-up refused to cover it, and my credit card company dragged their feet for weeks before denying it too. Ended up paying out of pocket, which stung. Has anyone ever had luck with the credit card route, or is that just marketing fluff?
I’ve been burned by the “loss of use” thing too, and honestly, I don’t trust credit card coverage anymore. They always seem to find a loophole or drag things out until you just give up. Now I just pay for the extra insurance—yeah, it’s annoying, but it beats a surprise bill later. Sometimes being cheap ends up costing more...
I get where you’re coming from, but I’ve actually had the opposite experience with credit card coverage. Had a fender bender last year in Richmond, and my Visa covered everything, including loss of use—just had to be persistent with the paperwork. Maybe it depends on the card or the rental company? I do wonder if some people have better luck just because of the specific terms or how they handle the claim process. Paying extra for insurance feels safer, but sometimes it’s just doubling up if your card or personal policy already covers you. Have you checked if your regular auto insurance covers rentals? That’s saved me a few times.
I’ve wondered about this too, especially since I’m always looking to save a few bucks where I can. Last time I rented in VA, I skipped the extra insurance because my regular auto policy covered rentals, but I double-checked the fine print just to be sure. The paperwork with credit card coverage does sound like a hassle, though. Ever run into a situation where your card or insurance didn’t cover something unexpected? That’s my main worry—some random clause popping up.
I totally get the worry about some weird clause sneaking up on you. I’ve had a rental company try to ding me for “loss of use” once, even though my insurance said they’d cover it—turns out my card only covered physical damage, not downtime. Ever notice how every policy seems to have its own quirks? It’s almost like they want you to miss something in the fine print. I always wonder if it’s worth just paying the extra for peace of mind, but then again, that stuff adds up fast...