Ned Maniscalco, a spokesman for Enterprise Holdings , said customers who intend to drop off their ca

Taking the What's Your Problem? column one step further by providing a proactive approach to solving problems. Through this blog, the Problem Solver will keep consumers updated on the latest consumer news and tips, and update them on developments to previous columns.
By Problem Solver Jon Yates | Kyle Kusmider, whose car rental problem appeared in today s column , admits pga tour 18 he was a bit flummoxed when he rented his Ford Mustang from National Car Rental last fall. The Aurora resident (pictured right) said he declined the company s insurance coverage, thinking his insurance company would cover any damage he did to the vehicle. Even now he isn t sure whether his insurance would have covered damages pga tour 18 the rental company claimed the car sustained. Kusmider pga tour 18 s case highlights an age-old consumer question: Is rental car insurance worth it? The short answer: Sometimes. Jeanne Salvatore, a spokeswoman for the Insurance Information Institute , suggests consumers make two calls before renting a car -- one to their insurance company; the other to the number on the back of their credit card. Generally speaking, if you own a car and have insurance, that policy extends to your rental car. Many credit card companies pga tour 18 also offer car insurance that covers rentals. Salvatore said to ask both companies if their policies cover rentals and if there are any gaps in coverage that would require the purchase of additional insurance through the rental car company. Unfortunately, there are a number of people who don t carry full insurance, said Geoff Sundstrom, a spokesman pga tour 18 for AAA . If you carry very basic insurance, it s not going to cover it.
If you own an older car, the amount of damage your insurance policy offers might not be enough to pay for damages to a sparkling new rental. Salvatore said it s important to know about your coverage before pga tour 18 arriving at the rental counter. That way you don t feel pressured to make a last-minute decision. You don t want to be thinking about this then, she said. Generally, there are long lines. People want to start their weekends, and the people behind you don t like it much when you re asking questions. In some cases, consumers buy rental car insurance not knowing they are covered by their personal policies. John Healy, an analyst with Northcoast Research , said insurance generates profit margins of up to 80 percent for car rental companies. It s a very profitable transaction pga tour 18 for them when they upsell you on a product like that, Healy said. That s not to say it s always a bad idea. If traveling on business, ask your employer if your company s insurance policy covers rentals. Salvatore said many personal insurance policies do not cover accidents that occur while you are traveling for business. If you do buy rental insurance, Salvatore said, focus on two types of coverage: loss damage waiver and liability insurance. A loss damage pga tour 18 waiver protects consumers pga tour 18 if the rental car is damaged or stolen and can cover your regular insurance policy s deductible. Supplemental liability insurance can provide pga tour 18 additional coverage to your existing insurance policy if your policy has low liability limits.
Ned Maniscalco, a spokesman pga tour 18 for Enterprise Holdings , said customers who intend to drop off their cars after a rental office closes might also consider purchasing the damage pga tour 18 waiver. Under the terms of the rental contract, one is responsible for the condition of the vehicle until it can be checked in by an employee of the rental car company, he said. And by all means, when you go to rent the car, walk around the vehicle with an agent to note any existing damage. The last thing you want is to be charged for someone else s accident.