Rental car insurance kicks in when you’re renting a vehicle straight from a rental company. At the rental counter, they’ll offer you insurance or the option to skip it.
Just note, this isn’t the same as rental reimbursement coverage, which helps cover rental costs if your car’s getting fixed after an accident.
Does Geico Car Insurance Cover Rental Cars?
If you’ve got Geico car insurance for your regular ride, you might be wondering if it covers you when you rent a car. Well, the good news is yes, it does cover you, but there are some things to keep in mind.
Here’s the Deal
When you rent a car, your Geico insurance kicks in to cover you up to the same limit as your own car. So, if you drive a nice car, and you rent a not-so-nice one, you’re still good to go.
But, There’s a Catch
If your own car is old and not worth much, the coverage might not be enough for a rental car, which could be newer and fancier. Geico suggests checking your coverage before renting.
What to Do
If you forget to check before renting, don’t sweat it. You can get something called a collision damage waiver (CDW) at the rental counter, or you can look into getting extra insurance from another company before you pick up the rental car.
Important Stuff
If you have an accident in the rental car, you’ll have to pay your deductible first, and then your Geico insurance covers the rest, up to your policy limit. Anything over that might be covered by your credit card, but make sure to check what your card offers for rental cars.
When to Get Extra Insurance
Even if you’re covered by Geico, there are times when it might be smart to get extra insurance:
- If your deductible is high, getting rental car insurance can save you from paying a lot out of pocket.
- If you’ve had recent claims on your own insurance, adding rental car insurance can help keep your rates from going up even more.
So, before you hit the road in a rental car, make sure you know what your insurance covers. It’s better to be safe than sorry!
Geico’s Full Coverage Auto Insurance Rates Across States
| State | Average by State | Geico Monthly Premium |
|---|---|---|
| Alaska | $285 | $240 |
| Alabama | $297 | $239 |
| Arkansas | $344 | $290 |
| Arizona | $314 | $189 |
| California | $307 | $240 |
| Colorado | $323 | $258 |
| Connecticut | $385 | $256 |
| District of Columbia | $370 | $308 |
| Delaware | $499 | $311 |
| Florida | $390 | $315 |
| Georgia | $414 | $248 |
| Hawaii | $213 | $280 |
| Iowa | $248 | $191 |
| Idaho | $248 | $231 |
| Illinois | $275 | $232 |
| Indiana | $285 | $188 |
| Kansas | $273 | $268 |
| Kentucky | $433 | $386 |
| Louisiana | $476 | $513 |
| Maine | $246 | $235 |
| Maryland | $382 | $319 |
| Massachusetts | $223 | $126 |
| Michigan | $875 | $536 |
| Minnesota | $367 | $292 |
| Missouri | $277 | $240 |
| Mississippi | $305 | $341 |
| Montana | $268 | $300 |
| North Carolina | $283 | $245 |
| North Dakota | $347 | $222 |
| Nebraska | $274 | $320 |
| New Hampshire | $263 | $135 |
| New Jersey | $460 | $230 |
| New Mexico | $289 | $372 |
| Nevada | $405 | $305 |
| New York | $357 | $202 |
| Ohio | $226 | $156 |
| Oklahoma | $345 | $286 |
| Oregon | $289 | $268 |
| Pennsylvania | $336 | $217 |
| Rhode Island | $417 | $467 |
| South Carolina | $315 | $265 |
| South Dakota | $332 | $245 |
| Tennessee | $305 | $274 |
| Texas | $337 | $272 |
| Utah | $301 | $247 |
| Virginia | $196 | $172 |
| Vermont | $270 | $183 |
| Washington | $255 | $214 |
| West Virginia | $216 | $177 |
| Wisconsin | $301 | $327 |
| Wyoming | $267 | $291 |
| Median | $305 | $256 |
Consider these insurance options you may already possess
Comprehensive Coverage: This helps pay for damages to your car that aren’t from collisions, like vandalism or weather damage.
Collision Coverage: If you hit another car or object, this covers the cost to fix your car. It usually works for rental cars too, so you might not need the extra Collision Damage Waiver from the rental company. Just check what your deductible is.
Liability Coverage: This is for damage you cause to others or their property. If your regular car insurance has good liability coverage, you might not need this extra one.
First Party Medical: If you’re hurt in an accident, this helps cover your medical bills and lost wages. But if you already have Personal Injury Protection or medical payments coverage on your regular policy, along with good health insurance, you might not need it.
Now, for rental cars, you might want to think about
Collision Damage Waiver (CDW)/Loss Damage Waiver: It’s not exactly insurance, but it shifts responsibility for damage or theft from you to the rental company. It often covers the rental company’s lost income while the car’s being fixed too.
Personal Effects Coverage: If your stuff gets stolen from the rental car, your homeowners or renters insurance might cover it. But remember, you’ll usually have to pay your deductible first, so check if it’s worth it based on what you’re bringing along.
Seven Strategies for Big Savings on Rental Cars
- Rent From A Strategic Location: Choose rental spots away from airports, as they often offer lower base prices and taxes.
Ensure accessibility via public transport or taxis and confirm whether returning the car to the airport incurs an extra fee.
- Take Action Against Hidden Insurance Fees: Avoid unnecessary insurance charges by checking if your existing car insurance or credit card provides rental coverage. Review your policy details to understand your coverage.
- Opt For A One-Way Rental: Keep an eye out for one-way rental discounts, especially during periods when rental companies need to relocate their fleets. Check newsletters, online offers, or directly inquire about fleet-moving specials.
- Shop Around: Search for online coupons and compare prices for bundled or separate car, hotel, and airfare rentals.
Consider weekly rates for longer rentals but be aware of any penalties for early returns.
- Be Proactive And Prepay: Some agencies offer discounts for prepayment. Although savings might not be huge, every bit counts.
Note that prepaying often limits changes and may lead to forfeiture upon cancellation.
- Work Your Networks (Social and IRL) For Discounts: Check with credit unions, employers, or warehouse clubs for negotiated rates.
Subscribe to rental agencies’ newsletters and follow them on social media for early access to offers.
- Try A Car-Sharing Club: Explore car-on-demand clubs where you pay a monthly membership fee to access cars hourly or daily.
Evaluate potential savings based on rental frequency and location compared to traditional rental agencies before committing.
Contact information
| Access Method | Description |
|---|---|
| Online Access | Log in to your GEICO account online to manage your policy, pay bills and access information. |
| Phone Support | Contact GEICO customer service by phone for assistance. |
| For rental reimbursement inquiries, call the number provided on your policy documents or visit the GEICO website. | |
| Email GEICO at [email protected] if you have questions about overseas policies. | |
| Local Agents | Reach out to a local GEICO agent for personalized assistance with your insurance needs. |
Explore our website for fascinating details on GEICO insurance offerings.