eqry05c

welcome to my space

Rental car insurance? Best answer on the web

[ ]edit Posted on 01.06.09 under xn--eqry05c.com

  • I have a Chase Platinum visa. I am going to rent a car. Most car rentals sell
    you extra insurance. Avis lists the following:
    LDW - Loss damage Waiver 21.99 - USD per day
    PAI - Personal Accident Insurance 3.00 - USD per day
    PEP - Personal Effects Protection 1.95 - USD per day
    ALI - Additional Liability Insurance 10.95 - USD per day

    Are these really necessary? Which ones are already somehow covered by my credit
    card? I also have regular CA auto insurance with 21st century. Does that help?
    Authoritative sources please.


  • I have bodily injury, property damage, medical payments, unisured motorist, comprehensive, and collision. (basically all of them) Clearly I have some sort of coverage. The question is, what are these four types of additional insurance that avis sells and which ones are covered by my credit card or regular auto insurance?


  • Hi

    Chase Platinum Visa comes with automatic rental car insurance coverage. I found
    that information on this page towards the bottom:
    http://www.cardweb.com/cardtrak/news/1997/september/9a_97.html

    However, to be certain that the coverage is available, I suggest you call Chase
    using the 800 number that is printed on your credit card statement.


  • Dear Beavis,

    Thank you for your inquiry!

    According to Avid, the 4 types you mentioned are:

    LDW - Loss Damage Waiver:
    If you have rental car coverage through your personal insurance or charge card, LDW offers maximum protection while your personal insurance or charge car may contain a deductible. Beware, there are some small exceptions to this and the following policies.
    PAI - Personal Accident Insurance
    Personal Accident Insurance (PAI) provides accidental death and emergency medical expense benefits to the renter and all passengers in the Avis car.
    The renter is covered 24 hours a day during the rental for the following: $175,000.00 accidental death
    $2,500.00 medical coverage for injuries due to an accident
    $250.00 for ambulance expenses
    This may or may not be more than your own auto insurance would cover you for if you were renting a car, it would depend on your policy.
    PEP - Personal Effects Protection
    Personal Effects Protection insures the personal belongings of the renter and the immediate family members who are traveling with the renter. The maximum coverage is $600.00 per claim, with a maximum coverage for individuals of $1,800.00. Check with your personal life insurance and car insurance to know exactly what they’re coverage is.
    ALI - Additional Liability Insurance
    Renter may purchase Additional Liability Insurance (ALI) at the time of rental. ALI provides additional protection for bodily injury or death and property damage and increase the limits to one million dollars. When ALI is purchased, Avis will always provide the Financial Responsibility Limits (FRL) on a primary basis. Both the FRL and the ALI will be exhausted before the renters/authorized drivers personal automobile liability insurance is utilized. Purchase of ALI is optional.
    All of this information can be found at:
    Avis – Policies
    https://www.avis.com/AvisWeb/JSP/global/en/rentersguide/policies/us/coverage_policies.jsp
    Generally, no, these policies are not really necessary. Many, or all of these are already covered by either your credit card (although usually you have to charge the rental car to that card), or more likely, by your personal auto insurance.
    According to Cardweb.com, auto rental insurance provided by Chase Platinum Visa provides coverage for damage due to collision or theft. According to a 21st Century Insurance Representative, considering the comprehensive coverage you have, you most likely DO have coverage on a rental car. However, without knowing your exact policy number, it’s impossible to be sure of this. I suggest you call your auto insurer and speak with them directly to get the full details.
    The most authoritative sources for this information are going to be speaking with your 21st Century Insurance Representative about your specific renters coverage, and a Chase Platinum Visa representative about your account coverage.
    To go to the 21st Century Insurance website, visit:
    http://www.i21.com/index.jsp

    To contact Chase bank, see:
    http://www.chase.com/

    Search Terms Used:
    Car rental insurance
    Car insurance
    Chase bank
    Avis
    Rental insurance law

    Thank you and have a good day!

    Best Regards,
    Skis4JC


  • What kind of "regular CA" auto insurance do you have? Default/minimum insurance
    is just 3rd party coverage (if you damage another person's car). It does not
    cover any personal effects (e.g. if something in your car gets stolen) and
    pretty low personal accident insurance (if you get hit).

    LDW covers damage done to the rental car itself and is not covered by this
    level CA auto insurance.

    21st century should be able to answer your question for free.