There are many situations in life where you may need a rental car. Perhaps you're going on vacation and will need a rental when you arrive at the airport, or maybe your vehicle is in the shop and you need a temporary rental to get around while it's being serviced. Either way, you might find yourself wondering whether your auto insurance policy includes coverage for a rental.

Ultimately, rental car coverage all boils down to what's included in your policy. In general, however, there are a few things to keep in mind when it comes to auto insurance and car rentals.

Is the Cost of a Rental Car Covered by Insurance?

If you're in an accident or your vehicle is damaged by another covered incident (such as hail damage), you might need a rental car while it's being worked on at the dealership or a local mechanic shop. If this is the case and your auto insurance policy includes rental reimbursement coverage, then the cost of your rental might be covered by your policy.

In most cases, rental reimbursement coverage will cover a certain dollar amount per day up to a total limit. For example, you might have rental reimbursement coverage for $40 per day up to $1,200.

There are a lot of nuances that can come along with rental reimbursement coverage, so it's a good idea to speak with your agent about what's covered and what to expect when filing a claim.

What About Coverage on a Rental Car?

Another common question people have about rental cars is whether a personal auto insurance policy extends to a rental car. This all boils down to the details of your current policy. In most cases, however, coverage on a personal vehicle does extend to a rental car. This should include not just your liability coverage, but collision coverage and protection for your personal belongings as well.

Of course, this doesn't always mean that your auto insurance is enough to protect the vehicle that you're renting. If you only carry state-minimum insurance on your personal vehicle, for instance, then your rental won't have comprehensive or collision coverage with your personal policy alone. In this case, you may want to check with your credit card company to see if it provides rental insurance coverage or consider purchasing additional protection through the rental car company itself.

The Bottom Line on Rental Car Coverage

As you can see, there's a lot to keep in mind when it comes to rental cars and insurance coverage. Ultimately, the best way to understand your own coverage limits and how they may apply to a rental is to speak with your agent directly. From there, you can book your next rental car with a little more peace of mind.

Still looking for the right auto insurance carrier to help you protect what matters most? Get in touch with a friendly and knowledgeable agent at National General. We'd be happy to answer any questions you may have and help you build a personalized quote.