Renting a car is a convenient way to explore Washington state, but it's important to understand rental car insurance requirements before you hit the road. Accidents can happen, and without adequate insurance coverage, you may have to pay out of pocket for damages or injuries. In this guide, we'll explain what your options are for rental car insurance in Washington and how they work so you can travel with peace of mind.
Rental Car Insurance Requirements in Washington State
By law, rental companies in Washington State are required to provide their customers with:
- Minimum liability coverage of $25,000 for bodily injury or death of one person,
- $50,000 for bodily injury or death of two or more people in a single accident,
- Up to $10,000 for property damage in the event of an accident.
However, this basic coverage may not be enough in some situations. As a renter, you may want to cover all bases with additional insurance coverage options. This will ensure that you’re adequately protected from financial loss in case of an accident while driving a rental car.
Tip: check your existing auto policy as liability and comprehensive policies may extend to the rented vehicle. Purchasing coverage from the rental car company can be expensive; make sure to obtain quotes from multiple providers before deciding on a plan that balances affordability and adequate protections.
Why Rental Car Insurance Washington is Important
No one really appreciates rental car insurance - or any insurance for that matter - until the time they need it. People often only realize the benefits of having adequate coverage once they experience the nightmarish situation that can ensue from rental car damage.
One unlucky New Jersey fella rented a car from an enterprising rental giant. The renter continues the story, “Because I didn't know any better, when I rented the car, I opted to use my own insurance rather than shell out extra for the rental insurance.
“When they walked me around the car I didn't pay close enough attention to all the details and missed a half-assed attempt to cover up some damage on the passenger-side door.” Apparently, a previous customer used touch-up paint to cover a small gash on the door, which was undetectable on quick glance.
When he returned the car, the company found the attempted cover-up. “They said I was responsible for the damage because I didn't see it on the initial walk-around, and would charge me my deductible, which was $500. As I stood in the office arguing with them, one of the employees came in and took lunch orders. He then jumped in the car that I had just been accused of damaging, drove it to Wendy's, and returned with food for the staff.”
After pleading his case with no luck, the man from NJ called customer service and explained the situation, including the lunch run. He queried how they knew it wasn't a worker taking the cars out for joy rides, damaging them, touching them up, and then passing the damage off on unsuspecting customers. Using vehicles for personal use was against company policy, so they let the renter off the hook. Guess who's a regular rental car insurance user now?
What Types of Coverage Does a Car Renter Need in Washington
As you’ve seen from the customer’s experience above, rental car insurance can help protect you when you get into various unfortunate incidents. But you have to make sure that you have coverage for the different possible scenarios. Here are the must-have coverages no matter what state you drive a rental car in, assuming that you DON’T HAVE ANY personal car insurance policy:
The first type of coverage is liability insurance, which covers damages or injuries that you cause to others while driving the rental car. This is required by law in most states, including Washington. Since your rental car company already provides the minimum liability coverage (but ask them to be sure!), you’ll only need supplementary liability insurance if you want to be extra sure that you’ll be covered in case you damage a car or property that costs higher than $50,000.
The second type is collision and damage coverage, which covers damages to the rental car if you're involved in an accident or if the car is vandalized or stolen. Some providers also cover loss-of-use fees that the rental company may charge while the vehicle is being repaired. Note that this is different from the more expensive collision damage waiver (CDW) sold by rental car companies, which is technically not insurance coverage.
Lastly, you can opt to have personal accident insurance, which provides coverage for your medical and hospitalization expenses, as well as items lost from your rental car. It also gives death benefits for you and your passenger in case of accidental loss of life.
Tips for Getting the Best Value on Your Rental Car Insurance in Washington
Now that you have a better idea of the possible coverages that you’ll need, you can begin to research and assess your options before committing to a policy. Familiarizing yourself with the different types of coverage available can help you get the best value possible when it comes to insurance for your rental vehicle.
Always be sure to check what kind of coverage is already included in your personal auto policy before deciding on additional coverage from the rental agency, and make sure you understand any exclusions or limitations that might apply. Additionally, it pays to shop around and compare deals from different rental companies. By investing some time into researching and gathering information beforehand, you can save yourself both time and money when signing up for car rental insurance in Washington.
Again, be sure to compare your car rental insurance options to make sure you get what you need at the best possible price for you.
Here for You – Rental Car Insurance Washington State
To sum up, rental car insurance is mandatory in Washington State, but the level of coverage you choose can make all the difference. When you know what types of coverage you need and the factors that influence cost, you can save money while still getting the protection you need. Deductibles and maximum coverage limits should also be considered when shopping for rental car insurance. Finally, be sure to use all available resources to find the best value on your rental car insurance in Washington. By taking these steps, you can rest assured that your rental car experience will be a safe and cost-effective one.
Do you require worry-less rental car insurance? It’s available online right here from Bonzah.com. Simply click here and learn more. At less than $8 per day who would choose to be without this affordable Rental Car Damage Insurance?
When you consider the outlay of a mere $7.99 a day for comprehensive coverage (up to $35,000), you should have a feel good factor if you accepted. Best of all, you won’t experience any confrontation at the rental counter, even if you merely return the keys – without the vehicle.