Renting a car Enterprise@LAX, what ins. do I need?

[Stanley Rockafeller]

We will be picking up our "premium" level car (not sure that that is, tho they indicate it's a Maxima "or similar") from Enterprise. The AMAZING thing about the rental, is that they charge remarkably LESS for the premium level cars, than they do for an Economy car?!?!?! what's the logic in that ???? Any what other premium level cars do they offer?

Anyway, what coverage do I NEED to purchase? I dont' plan on travelling through Compton very often (see: Boyz in the Hood), but I was told something called "LDW" is necessary in California.

We plan on getting the car and travelling south to Laguna Beach to soak up some sun, and get away from the crowds back home.

thanks in advance

 

[xBa380]

We never buy the "add-on" insurance when we get rentals... LAX, Phoenix, Texas, Florida, etc... Always decline.

Our State Farm policy covers us when we get rentals. So no need to buy theirs.

Call your normal car insurance agent and see if they cover you with rentals... Then you will know what you need to do!

 

[Astro14]

Depends on what your auto policy covers...mine covers up to 30 days of rental per year, so I decline everything. Some premium credit cards offer full coverage allowing you to decline as well...but your coverage will determine if you can decline or not...

 

[Quattro Pete]

Some credit card companies will provide some rental car insurance automatically if you book/pay for the rental with that card.

Otherwise, check with your own insurance company. Chances are you're covered in a rental as well. The only thing is your own insurance is for Canada, so it might not be the case.

 

[bdcardinal]

I get coverage with my AAA insurance as well as my AMEX.

 

[Stanley Rockafeller]

Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
Some credit card companies will provide some rental car insurance automatically if you book/pay for the rental with that card.


forgot to mention my card has that coverage too. Worked great when I got a stone chip in my rental 2 summers ago

 

[dparm]

I would NOT decline that coverage. As a person who travels every week, I can guarantee that you are going to eventually have an accident in a rental (even if it isn't your fault). Sometimes driving an unfamiliar car with perimeters you don't know leads to scrapes in parking garages.

The rental car companies will absolutely crucify you for it, even if it isn't your fault. Your regular auto insurance probably only has very limited coverage and won't cover theft of goods in the vehicle, loss of use, diminished value, etc.

 

[mrsilv04]

I can rent for personal business using the same discount code that I use for renting for work. As part of the discount, I get the full damage waiver and unlimited miles for free. With the damage waiver, there's no need for insurance coverage... nor any need to check the car for scratches and dents when renting it.

Last rental: 2013 Chevy Impala LTZ with leather, XM radio, and a moonroof.... $15.78 a day.

Sooo... check with your employer to see if they might have a discount code that you can use, which would include a damage waiver for free.

 

[rjundi]

It depends on what you carry for personal insurance. Eg if you lack collision or comprehensive on your policy you will not get an extension of those benefits to your rental. Some credit card companies do carry some insurance though for rental cars.

 

[rjundi]

Originally Posted By: dparm


The rental car companies will absolutely crucify you for it, even if it isn't your fault. Your regular auto insurance probably only has very limited coverage and won't cover theft of goods in the vehicle, loss of use, diminished value, etc.


My insurance company said no worries.

 

[jimbrewer]

I still automatically decline that stuff for the reasons given. You do run the risk that the rental company will charge you for the loss of income while the car is in the body shop I suppose. It doesn't hurt to ask the price though, or maybe selectively pick up a coverage not exactly like your own insurance.

I wouldn't decline coverage in Europe, even if I had a credit card that covered that sort of thing. You don't want to have a long coversation about coverage with the Italian police.

 

[dparm]

Originally Posted By: rjundi
Originally Posted By: dparm


The rental car companies will absolutely crucify you for it, even if it isn't your fault. Your regular auto insurance probably only has very limited coverage and won't cover theft of goods in the vehicle, loss of use, diminished value, etc.


My insurance company said no worries.



I would check the exact verbage in your policy. Your agent saying "don't worry" is not very reassuring.

The rental companies can take you to court for loss-of-use (thousands), for example. Your personal policy might cover the cost of repairs, but not the LOU.

As one other poster said, their corporate rate includes the insurance and it can be used for personal rentals -- I have the same thing and always take advantage of it.

 

[daves66nova]

Originally Posted By: Stanley Rockafeller

We plan on getting the car and travelling south to Laguna Beach to soak up some sun, and get away from the crowds back home.thanks in advance
Make sure to go to Huntington Beach pier. 9th st. ends where the pier starts. There's a lot of restaurants,a few clubs,stores,etc.

 

[expat]

Talk to ICBC!

Do you have the RoadStar* coverage?

I have been assured several time that when renting ib the U.S. or Europe, additional coverage (over the minimum) is not required.

*There is Roadstar as an additional policy, or it's something you get after so many years claim free.
I just have the basic insurance, but ICBC have assured me I am fully covered for out of country rentals.

 

[mechjames]

If you don't have roadstar, go to any ICBC autoplan agent, and they can set you up with rental insurance for $10 a day