Do I Need To Have Rental Car Insurance

Reader’s Question:

I am using my father’s car in Ohio. The vehicle is insured and I am under my father’s auto insurance policy. Am I allowed to rent a car? Will his auto insurance cover me while I’m driving a rented car?

Jonathan

Lakewood, OH

Yes, you are allowed to rent a car in Ohio even if you have your dad’s car and are under his car insurance policy.

Now regarding your question about being covered by your dad’s auto insurance policy, you need to ask that to your father’s auto insurance agent. Take this as an example. Let’s say your father has collision and comprehensive coverage on his own vehicle. Those coverages may be or may not be extended to the vehicle you will be renting because that depends on the terms and conditions that is under your father’s car insurance policy.

Now, let’s take another scenario, given that your father’s car insurance company covers you while using a rented car, you must remember that your father’s insurer will only cover for the repair of the rented vehicle. You may be asked to pay for the loss of income for the car rental company from your own pockets.

If you are planning to rent a vehicle, don’t do that yet without consulting with your dad’s car insurance agent in Ohio. Be ready to ask all questions you have in mind about your car insurance coverage.

If you carry comprehensive and collision insurance on your own vehicle, your company may or may not extend that coverage to a rental car. However, even if they do cover the rental car, they would only pay for the cost to repair or replace. They would not cover the loss of income to the rental company for which you may be liable. Some companies now offer optional rental car coverage as an endorsement to your personal auto policy, even if you do not carry comprehensive or collision coverage on your policy. You should check with your agent or company to see what coverage you have or is available to you.