Services
Insurance
Loans
Repairs
Advice
About

"What happens if I hit a phone pole and wreck a rental car with only liability insurance? "

I found out after the accident that my own insurance does not cover rental vehicles, and it will only provide liability coverage to AT&T for the pole. The rental car company says I'm personally liable for the vehicle. The car is totaled. What options do I have?

avatar
Shannon Martin · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
“Your options may be few at this point.
If your insurance company has not already issued a formal written denial of coverage, ask them to do so. The rental company would much rather make a claim against your insurance than pursue you directly, so you may be able to ask their claims department for help in dealing with your insurance company.
If you have any credit cards, review your terms to see if you might have any coverage there. Some credit card companies provide
collision coverage
for a rental car, but they might have needed to be notified of the rental ahead of time.
If you foresee that you will be unable to pay for the damage to the rental car, and if you have no other coverage, you will want to consult with a legal professional who can review the insurance policy and rental car contracts. They would advise you further on what options you have. “
View full answer 
WHY YOU CAN TRUST JERRY
Jerry partners with more than 50 insurance companies, but our content is independently researched, written, and fact-checked by our team of editors and agents. We aren’t paid for reviews or other content.

Join 4M+ members in lowering their car insurance

Easiest way to compare and buy car insurance

√
No long forms
√
No spam or unwanted phone calls
√
Quotes from top insurance companies
Find insurance savings