If you’re already covered, it’s usually not necessary to purchase rental insurance. If you have car insurance already, the coverage you have on your own vehicle will simply be switched over to your rental during your vacation. Many rental companies will try to sell you liability insurance and personal accident insurance, but these are types of coverage that would be included in your existing car insurance policy. In addition, certain credit card companies such as American Express offer rental car insurance as part of their services, depending on the type of card you have.

The collision damage waiver shifts liability to the insurance company. Although quite expensive, this type of coverage may be worth considering. If you are in a collision, the costs are assumed by the rental company, not your insurance provider. This can increase the likelihood that you will be able to secure cheap insurance quotes in the future.

Your best bet is to plan ahead. You don’t want to get caught without adequate coverage, but you shouldn’t get stuck paying for duplicate coverage either. The best strategy is to contact your car insurance provider before your trip to find out exactly what types of coverage you have and what you should consider purchasing. Taking the time to do this will protect you and help you get cheap insurance quotes in the future because it will ensure you are complying with all standards and regulations.