If you have a personal auto insurance policy with Progressive, your policy likely overlaps and covers your rental car
, so you won’t need to pay for duplicate coverage. But if you don’t have collision or comprehensive coverage on your personal policy, repair costs for physical damage to the rental will be out-of-pocket. If you’re renting a car, you’ve probably been asked whether you need insurance—and most people will tell you it’s a “waste of money.” But before ticking off the NO box, it’s wise to look over your personal car insurance
policy to ensure it covers rental cars. If you’re a Progressive policyholder, here’s what you’ll need to know about getting car insurance coverage for a rental car.
Does Progressive offer rental car insurance?
Yes—but depending on your coverage and coverage limits, you may be required to purchase additional coverage through the rental car agency.
If you have a full-coverage insurance
policy through Progressive—including liability insurance
, comprehensive and collision coverages, and medical payments/personal injury protection—you may not need to purchase rental car insurance, as your personal policy should extend to a rental car. If you’re unsure whether your car insurance policy will extend to a rental, contact a Progressive agent by calling 1-888-671-4405. If you don’t have collision
and comprehensive coverage
, you may still have some coverage through liability insurance, which will extend to your rental car. That means if you get into an at-fault accident, Progressive will cover bodily injury costs
and property damage
for the other party involved, but they won’t cover costs for physical damage to your rental car. On the other hand, if you don’t have a personal policy, you’ll be required to buy liability coverage through the rental car company. You’ll also have the option to add additional coverages, such as collision and tire damage.
MORE: How to avoid being unfairly charged for rental car damage
RECOMMENDEDNo spam or unwanted phone calls · No long forms
Progressive rental reimbursement
On top of rental car insurance, Progressive also has rental car reimbursement coverage
—and this is not the same as the car insurance you’ll need for a rental car. Rental car reimbursement is an optional coverage offered through Progressive that covers the cost of a rental car if your vehicle is damaged in an accident, undergoing repair for a covered claim, and can’t be driven. However, you’ll need to carry comprehensive and collision coverage to add rental reimbursement coverage to your Progressive policy.
Remember that rental reimbursement coverage may not cover the entire cost of your rental—it will usually only cover the cost of a rental car up to a specific dollar value per day or a set number of days. You can select the rental car reimbursement limits when you purchase the coverage.
MORE: 7 ways to save money on car rentals
Is it worth it to get insurance on a rental car?
The short answer? Sometimes.
If you already have a car insurance policy or have rental car coverage through your credit card, buying additional rental car coverage is likely not worth it. But there are a few circumstances where adding rental car coverage might be worth considering:
You don’t have personal car insurance
You only have liability coverage
Your liability coverage limit is low
You have a high deductible on your auto insurance policy
You want to avoid claims on your auto policy
You don't carry comprehensive or collision coverage
You're traveling outside of the U.S. or Canada
You are renting a commercial vehicle or a vehicle used for business
Also note that when renting a car, the rental agency will likely offer you two things:
Collision damage waiver (CDW), which covers any losses caused by a collision
Loss damage waiver (LDW), which limits your financial responsibility for a stolen or damaged rental vehicle
In most cases, both of these products will be overpriced. But if you don’t have the necessary coverage through your insurance company or a credit card, it might be worthwhile to accept the costs rather than get into a rental car uninsured.
MORE: How to get a car rental discount code
"Jerry
helped me change to Progressive after being with my previous insurer for 25 years. The app is amazing! It grabs your information and finds you a huge variety of choices between carriers and coverage levels.”—Leila S.
RECOMMENDEDThis app is great, but the customer service is even better! Not to mention convenient! My husband and I got the lowest rate (much lower than the rates I was finding online through my own searches), quickly, and pretty much all through text message! Thank you so much for a hassle free experience👍
4.7
