If you're renting a car from Hertz, you may be wondering what insurance options are available to you. In this blog post, we'll discuss the different types of insurance offered by Hertz and what they cover. Whether you're looking for full coverage or just liability insurance, we've got you covered. Read on to learn more about your Hertz car rental insurance options!
Rental Car Insurance Coverage Options Offered by Hertz
Collision/Loss Damage
When renting a car from Hertz, you have the option to purchase insurance. Insurance can give you peace of mind when the unexpected happens. For instance, having collision insurance can help make sure that you don’t have to pay for any expensive repairs - or even the cost of a totaled car - in an accident.
To be clear, however, you should be aware that you can’t purchase this insurance from Hertz.
Essentially, US laws do not allow rental car insurance cover from Hertz or any other rental companies. So what Hertz actually offers is an alternative option called the Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) or Loss Damage Waiver (LDW). In most states, this applies in the event of any other loss or damage to the car, regardless of fault.
LDW full coverage for any repairs that may be needed by your Hertz rental car. This can give you assurance knowing that in case of an emergency situation while on the road, all costs related to repairs will be taken care of by Hertz. Still, LDW can be hideously expensive. The renter’s financial responsibility extends to the full value of the car at the time of rental, less its salvage value, plus expenses for towing, storage impound fees, an administrative fee and a reasonable charge for loss of use. If responsibility differs in the state in which you rent, paragraph 4, of the Rental Agreement will state this.
Liability Coverage
Liability insurance can help protect you from civil penalties if you cause an accident that injures another person or damages their property. With Hertz, liability insurance is pre-bundled with the car rental. However, you should take note that the liability coverage can differ from state to state.
If you read the fine print on the Hertz website, for instance, it states that “If you’re renting in California, Hertz provides no liability protection under the terms of the Rental Agreement to the renter from claims of injury by others against you resulting from an accident.” And if you’re renting from Hertz in Massachusetts, Michigan, New York, South Carolina, Virginia, or West Virginia, your Hertz rental agreement provides primary liability protection, but only up to the state minimum limits. Outside of these states, Hertz liability insurance acts only as secondary coverage. That means it will only kick in after your primary liability insurance. And if you don’t have any primary liability coverage, you’ll end up paying Hertz for any claims paid by the company on your behalf.
Liability insurance can be incredibly helpful to have in your back pocket, especially when you're behind the wheel. You never know when an accident is going to happen, and if it's in any way your fault, the damage can really add up fast. If Hertz’s liability insurance leaves you wanting for greater assurance, then check out Bonzah’s Renter's Contingent Liability Insurance (RCLI) which provides primary liability coverage so you have the protection you need when something happens.
Personal Effects Insurance
Taking a road trip or visiting another state or country can be exciting - until something goes wrong. Without your own car, you're reliant on the rental vehicle given to you and if it's robbed of its contents, it can be a stressful situation.
This is where Personal Effects Insurance (also known as PEI) comes in: it insures your most valuable assets in case your rental car is broken into or lost. When you rent a car from Hertz, you have the option to avail of their Personal Protection Package which bundles Personal Accident Insurance and Personal Effects Coverage from anywhere around $2.95 to $7.51 per day. This provides you with:
- Accidental death and dismemberment benefits
- Limited medical expense benefits
- Coverage on covered items for loss, theft or damage
Policy limits can vary depending on the state you’re in, so make sure you read your policy thoroughly.
Emergency Roadside Assistance
While technically not insurance coverage, emergency roadside assistance is worth considering when you’re driving a rental car. We covered the importance of having towing coverage, for instance, to avoid unexpected costs.
Purchasing additional coverage is a great idea if you have an unpredictable driving schedule. Imagine you’re on your way to a much-needed holiday and all of a sudden, you get a flat tire. Or perhaps you’re heading to an important meeting and the battery suddenly dies. With today’s busy lives, these things can happen any time. Purchasing additional coverage for things like tire damage or roadside assistance can be a lifesaver in times of need - plus you get peace of mind knowing that help is available when you need it.
If Car Rental Insurance Hertz Leave you confused…
There you have it! All the need-to-know information about Hertz car rental insurance options. Before renting your next car, be sure to consider what type of coverage you need and whether or not purchasing insurance from Hertz is right for you.
Considering the average rental agreement includes 14 pages of verbiage, you really need to have your brain on when signing up at the rental kiosk. It doesn’t have to be that complicated if you purchase real Rental Car Damage Insurance from Bonzah. You’ll be buying primary rental car cover for as little as $7.99 a day, and you are covered for up to $35,000 in the event of a mishap.
Have you ever purchased insurance when renting a car? What was your experience?