| When you need to rent a car, one of the most | | | | Some car clubs and driver associations also |
| important things to do is make sure you have | | | | offer this form of extra coverage to their |
| insurance. In the event of a theft or an | | | | members, but this coverage isn't free of |
| accident in which the vehicle is written off, | | | | charge. For an annual fee, which varies |
| you must cover the excess value of the | | | | among companies, the same level of extra |
| vehicle. This can amount to several thousands | | | | protection can be enjoyed. This offers peace |
| of dollars that will be added to your rental | | | | of mind to occasional and frequent car |
| bill! | | | | renters alike. They advertise that the cost |
| | | | of the annual premium can be saved in a |
| Some credit card companies offer special | | | | single month's rental, but not everyone rents |
| plans when you use their cards to pay for | | | | cars by the month. This is an excellent plan |
| rental vehicles. One of these plans is the | | | | for those people and businesses that rent |
| Damage Waiver Benefit, and it provides extra | | | | several vehicles at a time or many in a |
| coverage for your rental vehicle. The Damage | | | | month. The extra coverage ensures that there |
| Waiver Benefit is designed specifically to | | | | will be no surprises when it comes time to |
| aid you in the event of theft or an accident | | | | pay the rental fee. |
| involving your rental car. The cost of the | | | | |
| coverage is waived for all cardholders | | | | Many plans also offer coverage for a |
| provided they meet a general set of | | | | locksmith, should you lock yourself out of |
| conditions. This excess coverage means that | | | | your vehicle. The usual towing charges to the |
| you're insured in the event that your rental | | | | nearest repair facility are also generally |
| vehicle is stolen or the car is in a bad | | | | covered by these plans. |
| accident. This may also cover the public | | | | |
| liability portion of the accident and | | | | Some plans have stipulations as to the how |
| insurance as well. The coverage is for the | | | | long the vehicle will be rented. Most will |
| policyholder who is usually also the renter | | | | not pay for coverage after thirty consecutive |
| and driver of the car. These optional waivers | | | | days of rental, and most passenger cars, |
| can be purchased to reduce or eliminate any | | | | minivans, and sport utility vehicles are |
| financial exposure you may encounter, | | | | covered, but some restrictions apply. Luxury, |
| including the entire value of the vehicle and | | | | exotic, and antique automobiles and some |
| all rental revenue lost during its | | | | types of vans and vehicles with open cargo |
| replacement period. | | | | beds are generally not covered under this |
| | | | sort of plan. |