If you live in either America, Australia, or Europe, you should be conscious of insurance naturally, following the policies of countries on these continents.
However, what happens when you rent a car? How does insurance work in the system? Or are they even required at all? And finally -Can you add insurance after renting a car?
These are questions someone new to the industry would want to ask. Below’s a guide for everything you need to know.
When do you pay for Car Rental Insurance?
Especially when you are limited in funds, Insurance can be a lifesaver in an event of a car accident, damage, or any hazardous event covered by the insurance policy.
It is even more essential when you intend to rent properties (e.g cars), which you certainly don’t own.
This is because in an invent of damage or theft, you’d be required to pay for the damage or the loss of property, which could cost hundreds to thousands of dollars.
Coming to cars…
When is the right time to pay for car rental insurance?
What if you’ve already rented a car before the thoughts of insurance come into your mind? Is it possible to pay for insurance after paying for the car?
Before:
For car rental companies like Enterprise, Avis, Budget, and Hertz, you’re required to add insurance to a rental car before picking it up or when paying for it.
There are two things to note and differentiate here.
- Reserving a rental car
- Picking up and paying for the rental car
When reserving a rental car, you’re not required to pay for insurance. As a matter of fact, you don’t even pay for a rental trip when reserving a rental car.
The only exception to this would be when you rent from car-sharing companies like Turo, where you pay for the rental trip, additional costs, and insurance when booking the car.
Generally, even though it’s not compulsory, it’s advisable you pay insurance while paying for the rental trip for several reasons such as guaranteed insurance, insurance perks (depending on the perk), and wider insurance options.
This is said, regardless of the insurance option (third-party insurance or car rental company-owned insurance packages) you intend to use.
After:
Now, what if you’ve already rented a car from a particular car rental location, and after a long while, insuring your car came into your mind? What can you do about this? Can you Add Insurance after Renting a car on Enterprise or some other car rental companies?
Yes. You can add insurance after renting a car from car rental companies like Enterprise, Avis, Budget, Hertz, and Dollar car rental.
However, it’ll depend on some factors first, which we’d consider below:
- You want to pay for insurance after the rental period
- You want to pay for insurance in the middle of your rental period
Firstly, if you have the mind of renting a car with covered insurance, then making payment for the insurance when returning the car, it can’t work, at least for your benefit.
If an insurance or car rental company agrees to these terms, it’s simply fake.
In the case of an accident, or damage, the rental company would certainly not show up. However, if you hand them money (for insurance) after the rental period, they’ll take the money, of course.
So this is generally a bad idea and not worth trying.
On the other hand, what if you just want to you want to pay for insurance in the middle of your rental period?
This is acceptable for most companies including third-party insurance providers and car-rental-owned insurance packages, as long as the car hasn’t been damaged, or risked to what is expected from the insurance company to cover.
Can you Add Insurance after Renting a Car on Enterprise, Hertz, and Avis?
As long as your rental period hasn’t been exhausted, you can add insurance after renting a car on Enterprise, Hertz, and Avis even though you’ve already made payment for the rental car.
To confirm, we decided to contact Enterprise car rental’s customer agent online. Here’s what they have to say about this:
According to the Enterprise agent, if you forgot to add insurance while paying for the rental bills on Enterprise, all you have to do is to return to the rental company and sign up for coverage. It’s not a big deal.
What happens in a situation where you want to insure your car in a third-party package?
Well, the same goes.
Depending on the type of insurance you intend to get from the third-party provider, you might only need to contact the car insurance companies and ask them for insurance packages that work with car rentals and they’ll gladly cover you.
Otherwise, you’ll have to go with a personal insurance package.
Make sure to ask the insurance company if their personal insurance package does extend to car rentals.
Final Thoughts
Generally, you can add insurance even after renting a car from Enterprise and other car rental companies, as long as the rental period isn’t over yet. All you have to do is to return back to the rental location, letting them know that you want include bills for an insurance package.
FAQ
Can I add insurance coverage after I’ve already rented a car from Enterprise, Hertz, or Avis?
Generally, yes, you can often add insurance after renting the car, but it’s important to do so before the rental period begins to ensure coverage. Check with your specific rental company for details.
What types of insurance coverage can I add after renting a car?
You can often add various types of insurance, including collision damage waiver (CDW), supplemental liability insurance, and personal accident insurance, depending on the rental company’s offerings.
Is there a deadline for adding insurance after renting the car?
Yes, there’s typically a deadline for adding insurance coverage, which is usually before the rental period starts. Contact the rental company to inquire about their specific policies.
Are there any additional fees for adding insurance post-rental?
Adding insurance coverage after renting a car may come with additional fees. The cost can vary based on the type of coverage and the rental company, so it’s essential to inquire about the charges.
What should I consider when deciding whether to add insurance after renting a car?
When deciding, consider factors like your existing coverage, the rental’s location, the type of rental, and your risk tolerance. Review the coverage options and costs offered by the rental company.
Can I add insurance coverage for additional drivers after renting the car?
You can often add insurance for additional drivers, but it’s important to do so before they operate the vehicle. Check with the rental company for their specific policies and fees.
