When planning your next trip, whether it’s a road trip to New York, a beach vacation in Miami, or a city break in Chicago, one thing you might ask yourself is, “Does AAA cover rental cars?”
Hertz
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Enterprise
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Fox Rent-A-Car
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Does AAA cover rental cars?
Yes, your AAA membership covers rental car insurance. In addition to this, AAA clubs only cover rental car insurance up to the cost of your personal insurance. Personal car insurance cost depends on the car that you have, and its repair and maintenance costs.
AAA members have the opportunity to save on car rentals through partnerships with major rental companies. You might even be entitled to free rental car coverage if you booked your car through AAA and are using it for leisure travel. However, it’s crucial to confirm this with your specific AAA club as benefits can vary.
Moreover, AAA members are also eligible for discounts with certain rental car companies, helping you get the best deal possible when renting a car. For instance, if you’re considering whether to rent a car in Las Vegas or rent a car in Orlando, knowing that you can get a discount through AAA could be a deciding factor.
For example, Hertz, one of the leading car rental companies, provides exclusive benefits to AAA members, such as discounted rental rates and free use of a child safety seat. So, whether you’re planning a road trip from Chicago to Minneapolis or exploring San Francisco, your AAA membership could help you save on your rental car.
However, it’s important to note that while AAA provides certain rental car benefits, it doesn’t offer rental car insurance. So, if you’re wondering, “Can I rent a car without insurance?“, the answer is no. While AAA might help you save on your rental, you’ll still need to ensure that you’re adequately covered, whether through your personal auto insurance, a credit card, or purchasing coverage through the rental car company.
If you have AAA auto insurance, your policy may cover rental cars, but this depends on the specific terms of your policy. Typically, your personal auto insurance policy will extend to rental cars, covering you for liability and possibly collision or comprehensive coverage, but it’s always a good idea to check your policy or consult with your insurance agent to confirm.
For example, if you are in Chicago, your AAA insurance provider might not cover the cost of personal damage. With that said, AAA insurance providers both in Canada, and the USA cover some of the basic rental car coverage. Some of the most popular ones include:
Collision damage coverage or CDW
This type of coverage covers all the damage costs done to a rental car in case of an accident. An accident can be with an object or a third party (another car). This form of coverage is the most basic one and is offered by almost every AAA insurance provider.
Comprehensive damage
This includes an AAA insurance provider paying for the damages done to your rental car other than an accident. For example, bad weather, theft, vandalism, and more.
What are the additional Rental Car insurances that AAA provides to its members?
There are several other rental car insurances that AAA provides to its members. Some of the most common ones include:
Liability insurance or third-party coverage
Third-party insurance covers all the damage done to another vehicle or a person through your rental car by paying the cost. Most AAA insurance providers cover damages done to a third party despite you being at fault.
With that said, we do not recommend rash driving at all. Hence, when driving a rental car, make sure to be conscious at all times. Third-party coverage also includes covering or paying for the damages done to the property of other people during an accident.
Non-owner insurance
Non-insurance coverage includes a company paying for the damages done to a car rental car during an accident. Non-owner insurance is for drivers that do not have their own car and personal car insurance. With AAA’s non-owner car insurance, you can drive anywhere you want, without having feared the coverages.
What is AAA?
The American Automobile Association (AAA) is a federation of motor clubs throughout North America. It’s a non-profit member services organization with over 60 million members in the United States and Canada. AAA provides a myriad of services to its members, including roadside assistance, travel planning, and insurance.
For many travelers, AAA is a trusted companion, offering peace of mind while on the road. But when it comes to rental cars, the benefits of AAA membership are often less understood.
Other Car Insurance You May Consider:
Medical or personal injury coverage
Personal injury coverage, as the name specifies pays the cost for the injuries that happened to you. Or, a third party during a road accident. In case of death during an accident, this type of coverage also bears all the funeral expenses. And provides a fixed amount to the family that has lost its loved one.
Uninsured motorist coverage
This type of insurance pays for all the damages, whether personal or collision if the third party is at fault. And does not have valid insurance. Sometimes the party at fault does not have sufficient insurance (the insurance provider does not cover all the damages). In this case, uninsured motorist coverage comes in handy.
Although uninsured motorist coverage is provided by almost all AAA insurance providers. You should make sure to know what type of coverage your local AAA club provides.
Pet insurance
This type of insurance involves an AAA insurer paying for the damages done to your pet during an accident. This is not the most common type of coverage that most AAA insurance providers offer. So, make sure to check out your local AAA club’s coverage options.
Accident forgiveness coverage
Accident forgiveness coverage includes your local AAA club paying for the damages done to your car in an accident. It is similar to collision damage waiver, or comprehensive damage. But the real catch here is that after your first accident, the insurance premiums do not increase. As a result, you save a lot of money.
Does AAA Cover Rental Cars After an Accident?
Yes, as specified above, AAA does cover rental cars after an accident. However, for this, you should be a member of the AAA and should buy a AAA car insurance policy. It is because the AAA car insurance policy includes CDW and theft protection.
However, what is not covered by the AAA car insurance policy, is the reimbursement costs. If your car is damaged in an accident, you might want to rent one. With that said, renting a car and getting your own repaired at the same time is not pocket-friendly. Doing this without taking a precautionary step can you to lose your money.
To avoid spending too much money on a rental car, while your personal one is getting repaired. You can try getting AAA’s rental reimbursement coverage.
However, for this, you need to purchase reimbursement rental car coverage separately from your local AAA club. And have it added to your existing AAA car insurance policy. As specified above, AAA rental car insurance policy primarily provides two coverages, which are CDW, and comprehensive damage.
It is worth mentioning that if you rent a car through AAA rental companies, such as Hertz. Then you will pay for the AAA car insurance if you don’t have a car insurance policy. Moreover, if you would rent a car from Hertz, you would be directly reimbursed. It means that the company would pay you the rental cost through which you can rent the car.
On the other hand, if you would rent a car from another AAA rental company. Then, you would rent a car using your own money. And show the proof (receipts) to your local AAA club to get the reimbursement. Hence, renting a car from Hertz is more convenient as it would allow you to save money.
What does the AAA reimbursement rental coverage cover?
The AAA car rental reimbursement covers daily rental costs, which vary between $40-80$ dollars per day. You should know that the AAA car rental reimbursement policy only covers the daily rental cost of up to 75$. So, if you have rented a car that costs $80 per day. Then, you would pay $5 out of your pocket until you return the car.
In what conditions is AAA reimbursement rental coverage applicable?
Do not think that the AAA reimbursement policy is applicable to all including those that do not have their own vehicles. There are specific conditions in which AAA car rental reimbursement would cover your rental costs. Some of the most popular ones include:
- If you have got a car, but it has been totaled in an accident with a third party. Or, an object. And is getting repaired.
- If you had a car, but now it is stolen.
- Suppose you have a car, but it is vandalized.
- If you have a car, but it cannot be moved.
These are some scenarios in which you can avail the benefits offered by the AAA car rental reimbursement coverage. Those include:
What is the price of AAA car rental reimbursement coverage?
The average price of AAA car rental reimbursement insurance is $10-$15 per month.
What does the AAA car rental reimbursement not cover?
AAA car rental reimbursement insurance only covers the daily rental cost of a car and not more than that. In short, AAA does car rental reimbursement insurance does not cover:
- Fuel costs – If you are traveling somewhere in your rented car, you would pay for the fuel cost. And, not the company.
- Security deposit – An amount you have to submit at the rental counter of a company from where you are considering renting.
- Daily maintenance costs – If you are considering your rented car washed from a car wash, you would pay for that too. AAA is not responsible for any maintenance, and repair costs.
How long does the AAA car rental reimbursement remain in effect?
Typically, AAA car rental reimbursement insurance covers daily car rental costs between 14-3 days. So, if your own car is taking more than 30 days to be repaired. Then, you would not have AAA car rental reimbursement in effect until your car is repaired.
What are the reasons you should become a member of AAA and rent from AAA?
Below-specified is the reasons you should consider becoming a member of AAA. And buy car rental reimbursement insurance.
- To save money – As AAA rental car policy includes CDW, theft policy, you can save a lot of money. Particularly if you ever have an accident.
- To protect the rented vehicle.
- To have peace of mind – Driving an uninsured rented car can cause you not to drive it too much on the streets. It is because back in your mind you are scared what will you do if it gets scratched, etc. However, with AAA this is no longer an issue.
Does AAA credit card have some rental car benefits?
Yes, if you pay the rental company through your AAA credit card. And do not accept the CDW offered by it. Then, AAA will provide you with the bolstered version of collision damage coverage present in the rental contract.
Navigating the Rental Process
With the need for a rental car established, it’s time to navigate the rental process. There are many aspects to consider, such as if you can rent a car as a tourist in the USA, what to do if you need to return your rental car early, or even if you can sleep in a rental car.
Even seemingly small details, like if your rental car has cameras or a CD player, can become important in certain situations. If you’re embarking on a long road trip, for instance, you’ll want to know how to calculate travel times — like how long it takes to drive 1,000 miles, for instance.
Understanding the rules and stipulations of car rentals can make your trip run smoothly. It will also help you avoid unexpected fees and help ensure that your insurance — whether that’s through AAA or not — will cover you in case of an incident.
Wrapping Up
We have covered all the details you need to know about does AAA covers rental cars. Always make sure to read the rental contract before considering renting a car from your local AAA club.
1 Comment
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