You might need a rental car after flying in to visit a new city, or because your vehicle is in the shop. You might even be getting a luxury rental car for a special occasion, or to avoid putting miles on your own car. In any case, you’ll want to make sure your rental car is properly insured before you hit the road.

If you have uninsured motorist insurance, you might think you’re good to go. But does uninsured motorist insurance cover a rental car? Exactly how does insurance work on a rental car, anyway?

Though there tends to be a great deal of confusion surrounding this topic, we’re here to help answer all your questions. Avoid the stress of making costly last-minute decisions on rental car insurance by checking out our helpful guide.

Your Insurance Coverage

If another driver hits your vehicle but doesn’t have insurance, uninsured motorist insurance is designed to cover those costs. But uninsured motorist insurance usually won’t cover property damage to a rental car. On the other hand, it may cover bodily injury, depending on the state you live in.

In short: Whether or not your car insurance covers your rental car depends on your specific policy. So before you book your rental car, we recommend calling your insurance agent and your credit card company.

Ask your insurance company how much coverage you have on your car and whether or not it applies to a rental car. (Sometimes your policy will apply to a car being rented for recreation, but not for business purposes.) Your credit card company might also offer protection against collision or theft, so it’s worth checking into.

Need Rental Car Insurance?

If you find out that your uninsured motorist policy doesn’t cover a rental car, Insurance Center Associates can help. Contact us today to learn more about how you can add the most affordable rental car insurance to your existing car insurance policy.