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Rental car insurance: Do you need it?

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When do you need rental car insurance?

You may not need additional rental car insurance if you have a personal auto insurance policy with full coverage and are renting a private passenger vehicle. However, your exact rental coverage needs depend on the type of insurance you carry on your personal vehicle, as well as the terms of your rental contract and the reason you’re renting a vehicle.

In some scenarios, your personal car insurance policy may have gaps in coverage that could leave you uninsured or underinsured if you’re in an accident in your rental car. For this reason, most insurance professionals advise discussing your coverage options with your insurance agent before you head to the rental counter.

The scenarios below outline situations in which you may need to purchase rental car insurance before renting a vehicle.

You do not have any type of car insurance

If you don’t have an auto insurance policy of your own, you’ll likely want to purchase insurance when renting a car. There are a couple of reasons for this. First, most states have strict laws requiring all drivers to carry a minimum amount of auto insurance while driving any vehicle. While that is enough to be street legal, higher liability limits offer better financial protection.

Additionally, the costs of an at-fault accident or other vehicle damage can add up quickly. Without an insurance policy, you could be responsible for paying any of those costs out of pocket. Consider purchasing additional liability coverage and a damage waiver from the car rental company before getting behind the wheel of a rental vehicle.

In some cases, your travel reward credit card may offer you a collision damage waiver (CDW) or a loss damage waiver (LDW) as a cardholder benefit — and some drivers who have no personal auto policy may rely solely on this insurance option when renting a car.

While rental car coverage through a credit card can be a helpful supplement to a primary insurance policy, it may not offer adequate financial protection on its own. This coverage typically only applies to damage or theft to your rental car. If you are at fault for an accident and only have CDW, you are still on the hook for the cost of liability and property damage caused to the other driver, their passengers and their vehicle.

You do not have collision or comprehensive coverage

Collision and comprehensive coverage are part of what’s known as full coverage car insurance , which covers damage to your vehicle after a collision or other incident, such as hail, theft or fire. These types of coverage typically extend to a rental vehicle. However, if you only have liability insurance coverage , your personal car insurance won’t cover damage to the rental.

To financially protect yourself in this situation, you can purchase a loss damage waiver (LDW) from a rental agency. This agreement waves your financial responsibility for damage or loss of the rental car, including loss from theft.

You do not want to pay a deductible

If you rely on your personal car insurance to protect your rental car, and you get into an accident, you typically have to pay a deductible . However, if you buy rental car insurance and you get into a collision, there is no deductible required.

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How does car rental insurance work?

Rental car insurance works the same way as regular auto insurance: you pay a certain amount of money in exchange for an insurance company’s agreement to cover losses and claims up to an agreed amount. However, rental car insurance comes in different forms than a standard auto insurance policy.

The most common types of rental car insurance include:

• Collision damage waiver (CDW): For a daily fee on top of your rental fee, a collision damage waiver waives fees associated with damage to the rental car from an accident, fire, vandalism, severe weather and other perils specified in your agreement.
• Loss damage waiver (LDW): Loss damage waivers and collision damage waivers are often used interchangeably, but some rental companies use this term to refer to a damage waiver that covers theft of the rental car on top of other physical damage perils. Be sure to read the details of any waiver offer carefully to understand what is covered.
• Supplemental liability protection: If you don’t have your own liability insurance, this covers bodily injuries or damage you cause to other vehicles or property.
• Personal accident protection: This type of coverage covers medical costs for yourself and your passengers if you’re involved in an accident in your rental car. If you already have personal injury protection or medical payments coverage on an existing auto policy, you may already be covered.
• Personal effects coverage: This optional coverage pays for loss (by theft or damage) to personal belongings in your rental car. If you have a home or renter’s insurance policy, you may already have similar coverage.

Keep in mind that rental car insurance is not the same thing as rental car reimbursement insurance . Rental car reimbursement coverage is a coverage type on many standard auto policies that pays for the cost of a rental car (up to your policy limits) while your vehicle is inoperable due to a covered claim.

How much is rental car insurance?

The cost of rental car insurance depends on a few factors. First, it depends on the company you buy coverage from. It also depends on the state, what type of car you are renting and how many miles you are driving. Purchasing optional add-ons such as personal effects coverage will also increase the amount you pay for rental car insurance on top of your rental car fees.

Is rental car insurance worth it?

Rental car insurance can be worth it in certain situations. Aside from the liability and physical damage coverage it offers, it usually covers the loss of use clause found in many rental car agreements. This clause charges drivers a per-day fee while the rental car is undergoing repairs to recoup their loss from the car being out of commission. Loss of use isn’t always covered by your insurance company or the coverage that extends from a credit card company.

If you are someone who doesn’t have an existing auto policy or you choose to carry only the state minimum coverage, buying the additional coverage may give you some peace of mind while driving a different vehicle in an unfamiliar location.

However, if you have confirmed with your insurance agent that your current personal auto policy will fully extend coverage to your rental vehicle, you may feel comfortable waiving the added coverage. Before declining rental car coverage, contact your agent and request a copy of your insurance ID cards and a binder letter showing what coverage will extend from your car to the rental. This way, you clearly understand the terms of coverage and have an easy way to say no to overzealous rental agents.

Which insurance providers offer rental car insurance?

Most major car insurance providers automatically provide rental car insurance coverage at no additional cost beyond what you are already paying for your monthly premium . However, it is important to remember that the coverage you carry on your policy is what will also apply to your rental. If you have liability-only on your personal auto policy, you may want to consider bridging the gap with an LDW.

Some companies offer standalone rental car coverage policies. The rates for these policies can be cheaper than a standard auto policy, but the coverage provided is not as robust.

• Allianz Global: Allianz Global’s Rental Car Damage Protector includes $50,000 in coverage for just $11 per day, and offers coverage anywhere in the world. Every policy comes with up to $1,000 in coverage for lost baggage and personal items, 24-hour emergency assistance and $1,000 in trip interruption coverage.
• Bonzah: With a Bonzah rental car insurance policy , you can get up to $35,000 in coverage with a maximum deductible of $500, plus up to $500 in coverage for lost luggage and personal items, no deductible and a 10-day free look period. Bonzah also offers up to $1 million in supplemental liability coverage.
• RentalCover.com: Rental car insurance from RentalCover.com is meant to supplement insurance from your credit card provider. The company claims that drivers can get supplemental insurance for up to 50 percent less than an LDW waiver from the rental counter. One of the biggest draws is that drivers can cancel their rental insurance for a full refund up until their car pick-up time.
• Sure: Sure is a mobile-based rental car insurance company that is entirely digital. When you download the app, you can select your trip dates, the type of coverage you want, the deductible and more. That means you can update and make changes to your choices on-the-go. Every policy comes with great perks, like flat tire protection, lost key reimbursement and towing coverage.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best car insurance company, does rental car insurance cover roadside assistance, how will an accident in a rental car affect my insurance, how do i know if my car insurance policy covers a rental car.

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A complete guide to rental car insurance

Should I get rental car insurance? Yes, when you rent a car, it’s best to get car rental insurance. This guide covers where to buy insurance from, what type of coverage to get, and what those policies cover.

In this post

Do I need rental car insurance?

Where can i get a rental car insurance, rental car insurance coverage, what car rental insurance should i get, how does my destination impact my insurance needs, rental car insurance faq.

The short answer is: yes, you definitely need it! The tricky part is knowing what type of insurance you need, where to get it, and what different policies cover.

There are many different types of car insurance for a rental car . Deciding which one to take depends on the level of protection you want. Some cover only the vehicle you rented, others also cover injuries or damage caused to others or to yourself and your passengers.

The car rental company you select will clearly mention in their terms and conditions which type of insurance is mandatory according to their own policy and local legislation. Keep in mind that car rental companies tend to recommend additional coverage, so determining what’s necessary and what’s extra in advance can help you choose what’s best for you.

If you’re looking for budget-friendly options, make sure to verify the coverage of the insurance policies you already have to potentially save money .

Different companies sell car rental insurance. Your options include the following:

• The car rental company's insurance
• An independent insurance broker
• Travel insurance
• Your car insurance
• Your credit card

All of these options have different ranges of price, coverage, and convenience. For example, while it may be easier to get the car rental insurance directly at the counter when you arrive to pick up your vehicle, it’s unlikely that it will be your most budget-friendly option.

Independent insurance is an option that can be just as convenient without the hefty cost. Insurance companies have analyzed the requirements of car rental agencies and created coverage services for the vast majority of rental car scenarios.

When looking at car rental options on KAYAK, you may see the option to add insurance from an independent insurance broker to your booking; that way you know what your coverage looks like before even arriving at the car rental counter to pick up your vehicle.

Insurance coverage tends to have a limitation when it comes to location and circumstance. Make sure you check the regions where your coverage applies and what specific circumstances are or aren’t covered. The insurance you have could only cover you if you’re driving in your country of residence; also, most insurance companies won’t cover accidents where the driver has consumed alcohol above the local limit.

Does my personal car insurance cover rental cars?

Does my car insurance cover rental cars? The most common answer is: it depends. However, it is definitely worth checking with your personal car insurance. Some will cover your rental as well so chat to them before adding a potentially costly policy to your rental agreement .

Chances are if you don’t have comprehensive coverage for your personal car, the insurance won’t cover your rental car either. These days more often than not, insurance will only cover a specific car mentioned on the policy. This means you won’t be covered if you crash your friend's car or a rental. Some policies will cover you when driving other cars but the coverage might be limited and usually won’t include driving abroad.

In the majority of the cases, you will only be covered for personal use but not if you are getting a rental car for a business purpose. 

Which credit cards cover car rental insurance?

There are plenty of good credit cards out there that not only allow you to collect miles and airline status but also offer various insurance policies. Check the fine print of your card to see what they offer. Cards like the United Club Infinite Card, Chase Sapphire Preferred Card, and Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card include coverage like Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver.

Do check the conditions though because some cards require you to use it for your rental booking before the insurance will take effect. Some might also limit coverage to a certain timeframe or to specific locations.

Car rental insurance typically covers three basic things – damage, theft, and third party liability. Damage to the rental car includes damage to the bodywork, which is most of the car’s exterior including the bumpers, fenders, doors, etc. That doesn’t include the windows, wheels, or the interior. The most you’d have to pay for damages is called the deductible.

Theft cover means you won’t have to pay for a new car if the rental car gets stolen, or gets damaged if someone tries to steal it. Again, the most you’d have to pay is the deductible of the theft protection policy.

Third party liability is if you hurt anyone or damage anything in your rental car. There’s usually a maximum amount that this policy would pay out to the third party.

Those are the three basic types of coverage, but there are several things that additional policies can also cover . What happens if you get injured in a rental car? If your stuff gets stolen in a rental car? What happens if you get into an accident with someone who’s not insured themselves? Well, there are policies that cover each of these situations too.

Now that we know what a policy can cover, it’s important to know what type of insurance applies to each type of coverage. When it comes to rental car insurance options, there are a bunch of confusing acronyms, scenarios, and regulations that change from city to city.

There are basically six types of coverage depending on their function. You’ll find insurance that protects the rental car, other people and their property, personal accidents, and roadside assistance. Here’s a simple break-down of your options:

• Collision Damage Waiver (CDW)

A Collision Damage Waiver, often shortened to CDW, is an optional insurance policy that provides coverage in case your vehicle is damaged during the period of your rental . In many countries, a CDW is packaged together with an LDW (Loss Damage Waiver), which also provides theft protection in case your rental car is stolen during the period of your rental. However, in the USA and Canada, these policies are often purchased separately.

• Supplemental Liability Protection (SLP)

Liability Insurance can have many names, Extended Protection (EP), Supplemental Liability Insurance (SLI), or Third Party Liability (TPL); it is an optional insurance policy you can add which covers you in case you damage other people's property as well as medical costs for other people’s injuries in an accident you're legally responsible for. In many countries outside of the US and Canada, this "third party" insurance is required to be provided by the rental company. In the US, it's generally not included, but if you're an auto-owner you may already have liability coverage through your personal auto insurance.

• Personal Accident Insurance (PAI)

Personal Insurance covers the driver or the policy holder. It can cover expenses in the event of an accident, like ambulance transportation and similar costs that stem from medical assistance. Likewise, the driver’s belongings can be covered using a Personal Effects insurance in the case of theft or loss.

• Roadside Assistance

Accidents happen… flat tires, mechanical or electrical malfunctions, etc. If you’re not sure how to get your rental car back on the road, you may want to look into getting this type of insurance.

• Loss Damage Waiver (LDW)

A Loss Damage Waiver, often shortened to LDW, is an optional insurance policy that provides coverage in case your vehicle is damaged or stolen during the period of your rental.

Personal Effects Coverage (PEC)

This is for theft of personal items in a rental car up to $1,500.

In the end, “how much is car rental insurance” depends on a lot of factors that come down to your desired level of protection. Insurance policies typically cover expenses up to a certain amount and payment is either covered by the insurance company on the spot or refunded to the policyholder after an investigation.

Reading the terms and conditions of your rental agreement carefully and comparing your insurance options is the best way to save time and money, so that you can enjoy a hassle-free trip feeling safe and protected.

While all rental car insurance policies are important, some are truly indispensable and will save you a lot of trouble in the event of an incident. A must-have is Third Party Liability Insurance , which covers damage done to other people or their properties. Another policy that you are strongly advised to add is the Collision Damage Waiver , which covers you in case of damages to the car.

Make sure you ask about the excess involved when adding a policy, and if the amount is particularly high, you can get Car Rental Excess Insurance to cover that. Additional insurance worth considering is Roadside Assistance, especially if you are in a foreign country , and Personal Accident Insurance, which covers your personal expenses in the case of an accident.

When choosing which policies to add, take into consideration the roads you’ll be driving on as well as the climate, as rough terrain might require a higher level of insurance coverage.

Car rental insurance in the US

When traveling to the US, each state might have a different law as to which insurance is required and which is not, but overall, the three main types of insurance that you should have in all cases are Third Party Liability Insurance, which is a requirement, Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) or a Loss Damage Waiver (LDW). Note that the latter comprises both CDW and Theft Protection, which means you are covered if the vehicle is stolen and for damages sustained during your rental period as a result of theft.

Rental car insurance in the UK

When renting a car in the UK, the insurance policies you will be offered are similar to those in the rest of Europe or the US. The main thing to note is that Liability Insurance is the only policy that is legally mandatory to have . Collision Damage Waiver is not a legal requirement but is often included and highly advisable.

Car rental insurance in Europe

When renting a car and traveling throughout Europe, you will find that some insurance policies might already be included in your contract such as Collision Damage Waiver, Third Party Liability and Theft Protection. Some of these will include an excess, and if you want to reduce it to zero, consider taking out an Excess Waiver policy. However, make sure you read the fine print in regards to what it does and does not cover. If you are planning to travel around Europe and cross borders with your car, it is important to double-check the car rental policy and ensure that you have coverage in all the countries you will be visiting.

Search for rental cars

The short answer is: yes, you definitely need it! There are many different types of rental car insurance coverage, deciding which one to take depends on the level of protection you would like to obtain; some cover only the vehicle you rented, others also cover injuries or damage caused to others or to yourself and your passengers.

The car rental company you select will clearly mention in their terms and conditions which type of insurance is mandatory according to their own policy and local legislation. It may also depend on the type of car you get .

Different brokers or companies sell insurance for your rental. Your options include the following:

• Through the car rental company
• An independent broker
• General travel insurance
• Personal car insurance

There are basically six types of rental car insurance coverage depending on their function. You’ll find insurance that protects the rental car, other people and their property, personal accidents, and roadside assistance. The 6 popular insurance types are:

• Personal Effects Coverage (PEC).

Most rental car companies will request some form of mandatory insurance. How extensive the coverage is will depend on the company, where you will drive the car and the local legislation. 

Often things like Liability Insurance, Collision Damage Waiver and Personal Effects Coverage are optional add-ons. Whether you sign up for them will depend on the level of protection you desire. You should also consider where you will be driving as this may determine extras like roadside assistance.

How does KAYAK know what to put in this guide?

I have rented cars and driven all over the world. Being a cautious optimist I always knew good insurance was key to driving safely. Renting a lot of cars while being a broke student, I learned how to compare insurance and settle on the coverage that made the most sense.

The KAYAK team added their input to this guide so you know you can trust our collective experience and find the best car insurance for your rental car.

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The Truth About Car Rental Insurance You Need to Know

A nationally recognized reporter, writer, and consumer advocate, Ed Perkins focuses on how travelers can find the best deals and avoid scams.

He is the author of "Online Travel" (2000) and "Business Travel: When It's Your Money" (2004), the first step-by-step guide specifically written for small business and self-employed professional travelers. He was also the co-author of the annual "Best Travel Deals" series from Consumers Union.

Perkins' advice for business travelers is featured on MyBusinessTravel.com , a website devoted to helping small business and self-employed professional travelers find the best value for their travel dollars.

Perkins was founding editor of Consumer Reports Travel Letter, one of the country's most influential travel publications, from which he retired in 1998. He has also written for Business Traveller magazine (London).

Perkins' travel expertise has led to frequent television appearances, including ABC's "Good Morning America" and "This Week with David Brinkley," "The CBS Evening News with Dan Rather," CNN, and numerous local TV and radio stations.

Before editing Consumer Reports Travel Letter, Perkins spent 25 years in travel research and consulting with assignments ranging from national tourism development strategies to the design of computer-based tourism models.

Born in Evanston, Illinois, Perkins lives in Ashland, Oregon with his wife.

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No matter how often I cover the problems that come with collision damage under car rental insurance, consumers continue to share their frustrations. A reader recently emailed me:

“I’m interested in finding a complete bumper-to-bumper, ‘drop off the keys at the counter’ car rental coverage when I travel. I recently thought I had complete coverage though a credit card, but when my car suffered a small dent, the car rental company flat-out refused to document that it actually lost income from having the car rental in the shop (which took three weeks to repair a small dent). I was left with responsibility.”

This experience is uncommon, but not unique. Car rental companies desperately want you to buy their collision damage waiver, or CDW (sometimes also known as loss damage waiver, or LDW), and will go to great lengths to make you pay for even the smallest damages if you don’t. Here’s what you need to know before you shell out for car rental insurance on your next vacation.

Car Rental Insurance: What You Need to Know

The One Way to ‘Drop the Keys and Forget It’

When you buy a CDW, the rental company surrenders its rights to charge you for damage to a car rental—with a few exceptions, such as tire damage or gross negligence. (CDW terms and conditions vary by car rental company, so you’ll want to read them carefully before committing.) But otherwise, no matter how banged up the car could be, you’re off the hook: Just turn it in and be on your way. No other approach—your own insurance, your credit card, or a third-party policy—is as comprehensive or convenient. If you want that full flexibility and peace of mind, pay for CDW.

CDW Insurance Is Ridiculously Overpriced

Typically, a CDW starts at around $30 per day and can go higher. The actuarial cost to the rental company—the amount it would allocate toward a damage pool based on risk experience—is probably just a few dollars a day; the rest is theirs to keep. No wonder the agents push it so hard: It’s clearly a lot more profitable than the car rental alone.

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You’ll Pay Up Front for All Damage

You can cover your major damage responsibility by relying on your own insurance, a credit card with insurance, or a third-party policy. But in all of those cases you have to pay a damage claim up front, then recover as much as you can (all of it, you hope) by filing a claim afterward. That means signing a credit card bill for hundreds or even thousands of dollars when you return the damaged car, and not knowing if you’ll get that money back.

That’s why some rental companies won’t accept rentals via debit card, or a credit card with a small limit. If you can pay the initial rental fee with a debit card, you may still need to provide a credit card to cover a possible damage claim, which would be filed before you can leave the return counter.

‘Damage’ Is More than Fixing a Dent

If you don’t buy CDW, rental companies can charge for more than just fixing the damage. They may also charge for:

• “Loss of use,” meaning the potential revenue lost while the car is out of service being fixed, even if the company had lots of other cars available. And they generally figure that daily loss at the full retail rate.
• Towing charges, if you are unable to drive the car back to the return station.
• “Diminished value,” or the potential loss of the car’s resale value (because of your damage) when the rental company disposes of it, usually within two years.
• Administrative fees associated with the claims process.

Most non-CDW car rental insurance will cover those extras. But, in some cases, coverage depends on cooperation from the rental company—and it may not be forthcoming, as our reader’s above wasn’t.

5 Vacation Rental Scams to Watch Out For

You Need General Liability Protection

You should never get behind the wheel of a car—or lawnmower, for that matter—without liability protection. But you don’t buy that from a car rental company: It usually comes with household, homeowner, or tenant insurance, and it covers far more than a car rental. And if your net worth is in six figures, you probably need an “umbrella” liability policy that covers a million dollars or more.

Car rental companies in most countries are required by law to include liability insurance. In the U.S., required coverage can be ludicrously small (usually only the minimum required by the state)—it’s usually much better in Europe. If you don’t have substantial liability insurance, you might consider buying the rental company’s offering. Still, your best bet is to make sure you’re covered 24/7 with your own insurance so you can forget about the rental company’s overpriced insurance.

Alternatives to Rental Company Collision Damage Waivers

Alternative #1: Pay with Your Existing Car Insurance

In many cases, if your regular auto insurance covers collision damage to your insured car, it also covers damage to a short-term rental. But this coverage is generally limited to driving in the U.S. and maybe Canada, and won’t cover car rentals in Mexico, Europe, or anywhere else. So, before you plan on using your own insurance, check its coverage. If it does cover rentals, you can place a claim on it. Still, you must typically pay your policy’s deductible, and any claims may cause your rates to go up.

Alternative #2: Use Credit Card Benefits

These days, most credit cards provide “free” collision coverage for car rentals, provided you use the card to secure the rental. A sample credit card benefits statement describes coverage as:

“Physical damage and/or theft of the covered rental vehicle. Valid loss-of-use charges assessed by the rental company while the damaged vehicle is being repaired and is not available for use, as substantiated in the company’s fleet utilization log. Reasonable and customary towing charges related to a covered loss to take the vehicle to the nearest qualified repair facility.”

Note that this typical Visa card’s benefits do not cover diminished value or administrative costs. A few premium credit cards offer primary collision coverage, meaning the card takes full responsibility for the payment. But coverage on most cards is secondary, meaning the card picks up only what you can’t first recover from your own insurance. And you still have to pay the rental company up front, then file for reimbursement from your card issuer.

Another gotcha in the above fine print: This card (and many others) pays for loss of use only if verified by the rental company’s log. Unfortunately, some rental companies don’t cooperate with credit card issuers in providing this type of documentation in a timely manner.

The Ultimate Guide to Travel Insurance: Everything You Need to Know

Alternative #3: Third-Party Car Rental Insurance

If you rent a car through one of the big online travel agencies (OTA) such as Expedia or Priceline , the agency normally offers you the option to buy collision coverage for around $10 a day. That coverage is provided by a third-party insurance company such as Allianz . The cost is a lot less than the rental company’s CDW, but, as with credit card coverage, if you damage the car, you have to pay up front and claim later.

Typical third-party collision coverage includes about the same contingencies as credit card coverage, but because it’s grouped with the booking you won’t have to make any other claims. You can also buy collision coverage independently: Bonzah , for example, sells coverage at around $10-$20 per day.

The Uncertainty Principle

The takeaway from all this: No alternative source of collision damage coverage—your auto insurance, your credit card, or a third party—completely isolates you from risk. Lots of travelers successfully rely on lower-cost alternatives to CDW without encountering any problems, sure. Occasionally, however, your own insurance, credit card, or third-party policy may not cover an unusual charge a rental company might impose.

If you’re unwilling to accept any risk at all, you might want to buy that overpriced CDW. For most travelers and circumstances, credit card or third-party coverage is sufficient, and primary coverage is a lot better than secondary.

Consumer advocate Ed Perkins, the founding editor of the Consumer Reports Travel Letter, has been writing about travel for more than three decades.

Editor’s note: This story was originally published in 2017. It has been updated to reflect the most current information.

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The Guide to Capital One Venture X Rental Car Insurance

Many or all of the products featured here are from our partners who compensate us. This influences which products we write about and where and how the product appears on a page. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Our opinions are our own. Here is a list of our partners and here's how we make money .

Table of Contents

How the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card rental car insurance works

What is covered, notable exclusions, who is covered, how to file a claim, capital one venture x rental car insurance recapped.

When you rent a car during your travels, you usually aren’t thinking about what happens if you crash your car. that is, until the agent at the rental car desk paints that worst-case scenario during their collision damage waiver pitch.

Should you pay extra to cover your car in the case of an accident? Not if you hold the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card .

The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card features primary auto rental collision damage waiver insurance that covers damage caused by theft or collision. If you're involved in a fender bender, you can rely on your credit card coverage to pay for damage to your rental car without making a claim against your personal auto insurance .

Although it’s a great idea to use your Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card to book your rental cars, the auto rental collision damage waiver benefit on the card doesn’t cover everything — or every trip.

Every credit card car rental insurance requires you to use the card for your rental transaction and decline the car rental company’s collision damage waiver option. The car rental coverage provided by the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is no different.

Simply being a Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card member isn’t enough — you must use the card to cover your rental transaction and decline the collision damage waiver offered by the rental counter.

Be aware that some rates include collision damage waiver insurance. If you book using one of these rates, you won’t be covered by the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card car rental insurance on that rental.

» Learn more: Is the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card worth the annual fee?

The most important thing to understand about Capital One’s car rental insurance is what it covers. It covers only the following types of losses:

Damage to a rental car caused by a collision.

Loss of a rental car due to theft.

While your card’s insurance coverage will reimburse you for damage to your rental car, an accident can also cause damage to another driver’s vehicle or result in bodily injury.

If you injure someone (including yourself) in an accident or if you damage someone else’s vehicle, the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card car rental insurance won’t cover these losses. Here are some items that are not covered by Capital One’s rental car insurance .

Personal liability.

Loss or theft of personal belongings.

Bodily injuries of any kind to anyone.

Damage to anything other than the rental vehicle.

Wear and tear or mechanical breakdowns.

Most likely, you’ll want travel insurance or personal auto insurance to shield yourself from liability, in case you are involved in an accident that damages someone else’s car or causes an injury.

Finally, Capital One car rental insurance covers rental periods of only 15 or fewer consecutive days within your country of residence. Rentals outside your country of residence are covered up to 31 consecutive days.

Certain vehicles

Capital One car rental insurance is meant to cover rentals of non-luxury passenger vehicles. The policy will pay only for the actual cash value of cars with a manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) of up to $75,000 when new, so extremely expensive luxury cars won’t be covered.

If you’re renting a Toyota Corolla, you’re going to be covered. If you want to drive an Aston Martin, you’ll need to find other insurance. Here are some of the types of automobiles that are excluded:

Expensive automobiles with an MSRP of over $75,000 when new.

Antique vehicles that are over 20 years old or have not been manufactured for 10 years.

Vans, other than those designed for small-group transportation and seat up to nine people.

Trucks and vehicles with an open cargo bed.

Two-wheeled vehicles like mopeds, motorcycles and motorbikes.

Limousines.

Recreational vehicles.

» Learn more: Credit card rental car insurance may not cover renting an electric car

Certain destinations

Most car rental insurance policies provided by credit cards exclude certain countries from coverage. Your

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card car rental insurance does not cover rentals in Israel, Jamaica, the Republic of Ireland or Northern Ireland.

» Learn more: Is the Capital One Venture X card worth its annual fee?

Capital One provides rental car damage and theft coverage only to you, the person whose name is embossed on your eligible Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card . You must reserve, pick up and pay for the rental car and be listed as the primary driver.

Additional drivers on the rental car are covered by your Capital One car rental insurance, but you (the cardholder) must be the primary renter of the car.

» Learn more: How to maximize the Venture X card

If you have an accident or your rental car is stolen, you will need to call the car rental benefit administrator to report the incident as soon as possible, regardless of your liability.

Within the U.S., call 800-825-4062. If you’re traveling outside the U.S., you can make a collect call to 804-965-8071. You can also initiate your claim online at https://www.eclaimsline.com/ .

Be sure to submit your claim form within 90 days of the date of theft or damage or your claim may be denied. Submit the claim form even if you don’t yet have access to all other requested information.

To prepare to submit your claim, you’ll want to collect documentation that will be needed to process your claim. Here’s what you should collect and be prepared to submit to the benefit administrator.

The accident report form provided by the rental company.

A copy of the front and back of the initial and final rental agreements.

A copy of repair estimates and an itemized repair bill.

At least two photographs of the vehicle.

A police report, if one can be obtained.

A copy of any demand letter you receive from the car rental agency.

You’ll also need to fill out a claim form and submit the above documentation, plus a copy of your credit card billing statement including the rental charge. The benefit administrator may also request additional documentation to validate your claim.

Your claim will usually be processed within 15 days after the benefit administrator has received all requested documentation.

» Learn more: The best travel credit cards right now

The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card offers car rental insurance that covers damage to or theft of your rental vehicle when you decline the car rental company’s collision damage waiver insurance and charge the entire rental transaction to your credit card.

The coverage does not include liability coverage of any kind or cover trips longer than 15 days in your country of residence or 31 days abroad. Be sure to check your card’s Guide to Benefits for coverage details.

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2024 , including those best for:

Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

No annual fee: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

on Capital One's website

2x-5x Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day. Earn 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options.

75,000 Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel.

1%-10% Earn unlimited 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services and at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®), plus 1% on all other purchases. Earn 8% cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases. Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options. Earn 10% cash back on purchases made through Uber & Uber Eats, plus complimentary Uber One membership statement credits through 11/14/2024. Terms apply.

$200 Earn a one-time $200 cash bonus after you spend $500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening.

2x-10x Earn unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 5X miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel, Earn unlimited 2X miles on all other purchases.

75,000 Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel.

When You Need Car Travel Insurance, and When You Don’t

You may not need to purchase rental car insurance if your personal auto policy provides coverage..

Co-authored the book “Future Millionaires’ Guidebook”

13 years writing personal finance content

A former chief copy editor at Bankrate and past managing editor at Macmillan, Kim specializes in writing easy-to-understand, actionable personal finance content.

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Featured in

Licensed auto and home insurance agent

3+ years experience in insurance and personal finance editing

Katie uses her knowledge and expertise as a licensed property and casualty agent in Massachusetts to help readers understand the complexities of insurance shopping.

Updated May 2, 2024

At Insurify, our goal is to help customers compare insurance products and find the best policy for them. We strive to provide open, honest, and unbiased information about the insurance products and services we review. Our hard-working team of data analysts, insurance experts, insurance agents, editors and writers, has put in thousands of hours of research to create the content found on our site.

We do receive compensation when a sale or referral occurs from many of the insurance providers and marketing partners on our site. That may impact which products we display and where they appear on our site. But it does not influence our meticulously researched editorial content, what we write about, or any reviews or recommendations we may make. We do not guarantee favorable reviews or any coverage at all in exchange for compensation.

Table of contents

• Road trip coverage
• Your own car
• Coverage in Mexico
• Coverage in Canada

Table of contents Compare quotes

Reviewing your car insurance needs is one thing to add to your “to-do” list before heading out on a road trip. Your car insurance policy covers your car in all 50 U.S. states and Canada, even if you drive through a state with higher or lower insurance minimums. [1]

If you’re planning to rent a car, you may decide to buy rental car coverage in some cases.

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How does car insurance work when you’re on a road trip?

Most auto insurance policies include a “broadening clause” that essentially converts your auto coverage into the minimum coverage for a particular state where you travel temporarily. So, you shouldn’t need to buy a new policy or change your coverage to drive legally in other states on a road trip.

Your policy will also cover any friends or family members joining you on the road trip as long as you give them permission. This is “permissive use” and applies to non-travel car usage as well. [2]

If you don’t have a personal auto insurance policy, you should purchase rental insurance for your road trip.

Road trip insurance when driving your own car

A good auto policy will cover common road trip problems like flat tires, collisions, vehicle damage from severe weather, and more. Depending on the details of your specific policy, it may already include coverage that protects you and your passengers. Because a road trip naturally means spending more time on the road, it may increase your chances of having car troubles.

Even if your policy has a broadening clause, your coverage levels depend on the state where you’re driving. If you only have your state’s minimum-coverage requirements, your policy won’t cover your vehicle in an incident.

Adding coverage or increasing your coverage levels can help protect your finances. Here are the different types of coverage you can look for.

Liability coverage

Liability car insurance pays for the other driver’s injuries and car repair bills if you cause a car accident. It also pays for legal expenses if the other driver sues you. Every state, with the exception of New Hampshire, requires you to have a minimum level of liability coverage.

Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage

Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage pays for your and your passengers’ medical expenses if another driver causes an accident and has insufficient car insurance to pay your bills. Some states require this type of coverage, but it’s optional in others.

Collision and comprehensive coverage

Often sold as a package, collision insurance pays to repair your own car when you’re in an accident, regardless of fault, while comprehensive coverage pays for a host of other issues, like theft, falling objects, and run-ins with animals. These coverages are optional.

Personal injury protection (PIP) coverage

PIP insurance covers lost wages and medical expenses for you and your passengers after an accident, regardless of fault. Some states require drivers to carry PIP.

Roadside assistance coverage

You may be able to access roadside assistance through your car insurance company, your credit card benefits, or a third-party company like AAA. It covers the costs of services, like towing and flat tires, if you have a problem while driving. This type of coverage is optional but can save the day in a road trip emergency.

Road trip insurance when driving a rental car

If you’re driving a rental car on your road trip, your own car insurance policy will extend coverage to you and anyone listed on the policy for the same limits. You don’t have to buy additional insurance, but you may have some gaps in coverage if you have a liability-only policy.

Rental car companies require you to pay for any costs associated with the rental vehicle and your passengers following damage from a collision, vehicle theft, or vandalism. For this reason, some people with personal liability-only insurance choose to purchase rental car insurance from the rental company.

This optional protection comes in the form of a collision damage waiver (CDW) or loss damage waiver, which means the rental company waives some or all of your financial obligations for the car. But CDWs have limitations because they usually don’t include bodily injury coverage for you and your passengers and damage to other cars and property.

Driving a rental car when you don’t have insurance

You must have some form of insurance to drive legally in most U.S. states. So if you’re renting a car and don’t have your own auto policy, you’ll need to get coverage in some way.

Some of your options for rental car insurance include:

Credit card company: Some credit card companies offer a type of rental car insurance coverage as a benefit to their cardholders. The protection usually comes in the form of a CDW that you can use on rental cars. Some cards, like the Chase Sapphire Preferred, offer primary coverage for rental cars at home and in foreign countries, while others may offer secondary coverage.

Temporary automobile insurance: A temporary car insurance policy from a major insurer can provide various coverage options with different coverage limits to choose from.

Car rental company: You can pay for a CDW from the car rental company, though you may need additional protection through temporary auto insurance.

Other forms of insurance: Homeowners insurance or renters insurance can protect you financially if someone steals personal belongings from your car, while health insurance can pay for your medical care. [3]

Find Cheap Car Insurance

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Does your car insurance cover you in Mexico?

If you live in the U.S. and drive into Mexico, your regular auto insurance policy won’t cover you. You’ll need to purchase a separate temporary car insurance policy tailored to driving over the border.

Many major auto insurance companies, such as Progressive and GEICO , offer temporary coverage for trips ranging from one day to several months. These policies should include a minimum amount of liability insurance, and you can add protection for property damage, roadside assistance, collision coverage, and more.

You’ll also need to bring the following documents with you on your trip:

Government-approved travel document, such as a passport or passport card

Vehicle registration

Car insurance policy for driving in Mexico

Valid U.S. driver’s license

A temporary vehicle importation permit

A letter of permission from your auto lender (if you lease or finance your car)

Does your car insurance cover you in Canada?

In short, yes. Car insurance policies from major U.S. insurers cover you if you plan to drive your car into Canada.

You’ll need to carry the following documents with you on your trip:

Standard auto insurance ID card

A Canada Non-Resident Inter-Province Motor Vehicle Liability Insurance Card, which you can request from your insurance company

You’ll typically need to show your passport, vehicle registration, and a copy of your standard auto insurance ID card at the border.

The Canada Non-Resident Inter-Province Motor Vehicle Liability Insurance Card comes into play if law enforcement pulls you over or you have a car accident. It shows that your insurer has pledged to meet the minimum legal insurance requirements in Canada.

Travel car insurance FAQs

It’s important to secure sufficient coverage before you set out on a road trip if you don’t think your existing coverage is enough. The following information should answer your remaining questions about car travel insurance.

Does travel insurance cover vehicles?

It depends. A travel insurance policy usually protects you against costs associated with medical emergencies, issues with airfare and hotel bills, and lost or stolen personal property. Some travel insurance plans allow you to add car rental insurance to the plan for an additional cost.

Does personal car insurance cover a rental car when you’re traveling?

Yes. Your personal car insurance policy extends coverage to your rental car when you’re traveling in the U.S. Check the details of your policy or contact your insurer for more specific information.

How can you get insured to drive a car in any country?

A personal auto insurance policy from the U.S. won’t cover you abroad, except when you’re driving from the U.S. to Canada. But some companies sell global auto insurance policies that may work in one or more foreign countries.

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Kim Porter is a writer and editor who's been creating personal finance content since 2010. Before transitioning to full-time freelance writing in 2018, Kim was the chief copy editor at Bankrate, a managing editor at Macmillan, and co-author of the personal finance book "Future Millionaires' Guidebook." Her work has appeared in AARP's print magazine and on sites such as U.S. News & World Report, Fortune, NextAdvisor, Credit Karma, and more. Kim loves to bake and exercise in her free time, and she plans to run a half marathon on each continent.

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Compare Car Insurance Quotes for Free

It’s important to compare car insurance quotes from multiple companies when shopping for a new policy. Our research can help you know what to look for. Start with free car insurance quotes for your area.

Table of Contents

What Do I Need To Get Car Insurance Quotes?

Company reviews, compare companies, key takeaways.

• Many car insurance companies offer free online quotes.
• Comparing quotes can give you confidence that you’re getting a competitive rate.
• Most companies offer discounts that can help you save on car insurance.

How To Get Car Insurance Quotes

1. decide on the coverage you need.

Most states require drivers to carry a minimum amount of liability coverage, and a minimum-coverage policy is, on average, the cheapest type of plan you can purchase. But there are other things to keep in mind as you’re shopping for car insurance.

For instance, if your vehicle is newer or leased, you may be required by a lender or lessor to carry additional coverages, such as comprehensive and collision coverage . And as your vehicle ages, you may determine that different coverages and coverage amounts are a better fit than those you carried when it was newer.

2. View rate comparisons

Our rating of the Cheapest Car Insurance Companies can give you an idea of which insurers offer the lowest rates overall and for specific driver groups, such as teen drivers and senior drivers.

Different insurers may also offer different rates according to your driving record, the number of miles you drive in a year, or the level of coverage you’re seeking, among other considerations.

USAA has the cheapest rates in most categories we analyzed, but its policies are only available to current and former members of the military and their families. Erie, Auto-Owners, and Nationwide also offer rates well below the national average in many driver categories. But the best insurance provider for you might be another company in our rating, or one that’s not in our rating.

3. Learn more about individual insurers

Our reviews of individual car insurance companies include analysis of rates to give you a general feel for pricing. They also use results from our survey of consumers to help gauge the companies’ reputations for customer service, claims handling, customer loyalty, and other key considerations.

Our rating of the Best Car Insurance Companies is a good starting point for learning more about some of the nation’s top auto insurers.

4. Compare quotes

Once you’ve determined the coverages you need and spent some time researching insurance companies, you’ll be prepared to compare quotes and find the policy that’s right for you. Remember to compare quotes for the same types and levels of coverage to give yourself an accurate comparison.

Be prepared to provide some basic information about yourself, such as age, gender, and marital status, and also information about your vehicle. You’ll also be asked about your current insurance status, if applicable, and will need to provide some information related to your driving history.

Most insurers offer the option of obtaining free quotes through their websites. There are also comparison sites that allow you to obtain and compare quotes from multiple insurers at once.

For more on shopping for insurance, including the pros and cons of shopping online or working with an agent, read our How to Buy Car Insurance guide.

Compare Car Insurance Quotes

Get free personalized quotes with one simple form.

Whether shopping for a car insurance quote online or working with an agent, you’ll need to provide some basic information as part of the process. This allows the quote to be tailored to your specific situation. It can also help give you an idea of any discounts you’re qualified for. Discounts can vary by insurer.

Some of the information you can expect to be asked for includes:

Your location.

Your age and the age of other drivers on the policy., information about your vehicles., your current insurance status., information related to driving history., other information., find the right insurance for you, cheapest car insurance companies, the best car insurance companies, how much car insurance do i need, how does car insurance work.

Price isn’t the only factor to consider when choosing a car insurance company. A cut-rate car insurance company isn't a good choice if it doesn't offer the coverages you’re looking for. And the most expensive company isn't always better than one that's cheaper. Check out our car insurance ratings to find the best car insurance companies and compare costs. Then, drill down into our car insurance company reviews to learn more about each insurer, including their reputations for things like customer service, claims handling, and customer loyalty.

• American Family
• Progressive

Compare insurance companies to find the best option for you.

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What Factors Determine Car Insurance Rates?

Driving history.

Drivers with a clean record will pay considerably less on average than those who have one or more moving violations or accidents on their record. A person with multiple violations or accidents may be classified as a high-risk driver , have their driving privileges suspended or revoked, or be dropped by their insurer.

High-risk drivers also may be required to file an SR-22 certificate .

*Annual rate

Age and gender

Generally speaking, car insurance rates become cheaper as you get older, the logic being that more experienced drivers are safer drivers. Senior citizens (defined here as married 60-year-olds) pay the least, on average, for coverage, while teenagers (defined as 17-year-olds) pay the most.

Men often pay more for car insurance than women do, especially teens and men in their mid-20s, but not always. Some states prohibit companies from considering gender when setting car insurance rates: California, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Michigan, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania.

Average annual cost of car insurance by age and gender

Coverage type

The deductible chosen will also factor into the policy’s cost, as will the level of coverage. Minimum coverage – the base amount of liability insurance and other coverage required to operate a vehicle in your state – costs less than a policy with higher coverage levels.

You might be surprised to learn that collision coverage doesn't cover every type of collision you may have or that comprehensive coverage isn't as comprehensive as you might think. If you're looking for a specific type of car insurance coverage, you need to make sure it's included in any car insurance rate quote you get.

We've created guides on different types of car insurance so you can understand and decide which car insurance policies make the most sense for you.

*Annual rate.

Coverage Types

Collision Car Insurance

Comprehensive Car Insurance

Full Coverage Car Insurance

Gap Insurance

Liability Car Insurance

Non-Owner Car Insurance

Uninsured Motorist Car Insurance

Location 

State laws play a big role in how much you pay for car insurance, as most states require a minimum level of coverage before you can hit the road. Different car insurance companies can charge different rates within the same state, too.

Top 5 most and least expensive states

We've created state-by-state guides to help you find the best and cheapest car insurance in your state, as well as to help you understand your state's car insurance requirements.

• Connecticut
• District of Columbia
• Massachusetts
• Mississippi
• New Hampshire
• North Carolina
• North Dakota
• Pennsylvania
• Rhode Island
• South Carolina
• South Dakota
• West Virginia

Credit history

Your credit-based insurance score – which is not the same as the credit score that lenders use for car loans and the like – can also influence how much you pay for car insurance in most states. Factors include whether or not you pay your bills on time, how much debt you have, the types of credit you’ve accessed (a car loan versus a credit card, for example), and the like.

This score is used by underwriters to determine the likelihood of your filing a claim. The more financially responsible you are, the less likely you are to file a claim, according to research cited by the Insurance Information Institute . Some states prohibit the use of credit-based information in determining car insurance rates.

Our analysis of car insurance rates found that on average, drivers with poor credit paid $4,381 per year for car insurance. That’s more than double the national average rate we found for drivers with good credit: $2,095 annually.

What Discounts Do Car Insurance Companies Offer?

Car insurance providers offer a broad array of discounts that can vary by company. Many of the insurers in our rating of the Best Car Insurance Companies offer safe driver discounts that reward motorists for maintaining a clean driving record. It’s also common for insurers to offer discounts for paying your annual premium in full , rather than monthly, or for student drivers who get good grades.

Other types of discounts offered by car insurance companies include:

• Anti-theft device discount • Paperless discount • Discount for insuring multiple vehicles

• Military discount • Alternative fuel vehicle discount • Automatic payments discount

Many insurers also offer bundling discounts that give you a price break for purchasing multiple types of policies – for instance, home and auto insurance policies. To learn more about saving with this particular combination, see our rating of the Best Home and Auto Insurance Bundles and research individual insurers to discover additional bundling opportunities.

How to Get the Cheapest Car Insurance Quotes 

A number of factors influence what you pay for car insurance. These include the insurer you choose, discounts that may be available, and your driving record, among other things. Here are a few ways to help save on car insurance:

Shop around and compare quotes

Different insurers can charge widely varying rates for car insurance. Obtaining and comparing quotes from multiple insurers can help you find the lowest possible premium.

Research possible discounts

Auto insurers often offer discounts, but some offer more discounts than others, and the types of discounts offered can vary by insurer. But you can save 5% to 15% or more on your annual rate by taking advantage of common savings offers such as for bundling your home and auto policies. When searching for coverage, ask about available discounts and find out if you or other drivers covered by your policy – such as a spouse or child – are eligible.

Keep a clean driving record

A traffic infraction like a speeding ticket or DUI can cause you to pay more for car insurance. Motorists with clean driving records can generally expect to pay less.

Consider a higher deductible

You’ll typically pay less for a policy with a high deductible than you would with a lower one. But keep in mind that with a high deductible, you’ll pay more out of pocket when filing a claim.

Maintain good credit

Generally, drivers with good credit pay less for car insurance than those with poor credit. It’s worth noting, however, that some states restrict the use of credit-related information in setting car insurance rates.

Other Advice

The 10 Cheapest States for Car Insurance

Best Cheap Car Insurance for Young Adults

Best Cheap Car Insurance for Veterans

Best Cheap Low-Mileage Car Insurance

How To Buy Car Insurance Online for 2024

Car Insurance Discounts You Can Get

Finding the Cheapest Car Insurance for Teen Drivers

How Do Those Car Insurance Tracking Devices Work?

Most insurers offer free car insurance quotes on their websites, and there are many online comparison sites that allow you to compare quotes from multiple companies.

If you don’t want to obtain quotes online, you can contact agents with specific companies, sometimes called captive agents, or agents that represent multiple insurers, called independent agents. An insurance broker can also offer you quotes for comparison, but you still have to work with an insurer directly to purchase a policy. The broker may also charge a fee for their services.

The Insurance Information Institute (III) recommends that you get quotes from at least three insurers to find a policy that meets your coverage needs and suits your budget. One important thing to keep in mind as your search gets underway: Be sure you’re comparing quotes for the same types and amounts of coverage so you get an accurate comparison.

For more help finding the best car insurance, visit our How Does Car Insurance Work ? Guide.

Our report on the cheapest car insurance companies found that USAA has the lowest annual rates, on average, among companies we analyzed. According to our research, the sample cost for a USAA policy is $1,335 per year, which is $733 lower than the national average rate.

USAA only sells car insurance policies to the military community, so many drivers may find the cheapest rate with Erie or Auto-Owners. Erie’s sample cost of $1,532 per year was second-lowest among companies in our analysis, and Auto-Owners had the third-lowest average annual rate at $1,619 per year. Nationwide, with a sample annual premium of $1,621, also has some of the lowest rates among companies in our report.

Our rating of the Best Car Insurance Companies included survey responses from more than 4,200 consumers. USAA is No. 1 in our rating and Auto-Owners is No. 2. USAA and Auto-Owners have some of the lowest average rates in our analysis, and both performed well in subcategories such as customer service, claims handling, and customer loyalty. They also had high scores for policy discounts.

USAA’s membership is limited to the military community, so for most people the best car insurance company may be Auto-Owners, which sells car insurance in 26 states. Other insurers near the top of our rating include Nationwide at No. 3 and State Farm at No. 4.

A car dealership will usually want to verify insurance coverage before you drive a vehicle off the lot. And though you may be able to purchase a vehicle from a private individual without proof of insurance, driving it without insurance is likely illegal. Almost all states require motorists to carry a minimum amount of liability coverage.

You also put yourself at risk financially if you drive uninsured. And if you are financing your purchase or signing a new lease, the lender or lessor will likely have insurance requirements.

As with any insurance purchase, you can benefit from obtaining quotes to find the best rate. Shopping around will require you to round up some information about your new vehicle, such as its make and model, its age, its vehicle identification number (VIN), and its mileage, among other things.

USAA was No. 1 in our rating for claims handling with a score of 4.9 out of 5, and Auto-Owners was No. 2 with a score of 4.8. In our survey of consumers, more than 65% of respondents said they were completely satisfied with the ease of filing a claim with USAA, and more than 67% were completely satisfied with how their claim was resolved. Forty-four percent of Auto-Owners policyholders in our survey said they were completely satisfied with the ease of filing a claim with the company, while 61% were completely satisfied with how their claim was resolved.

American Family is No. 3 in our rating for claims handling, while Nationwide and State Farm are tied at No. 4.

Why You Can Trust Us : 43 Car Insurance Companies Researched

U.S. News 360 Reviews takes an unbiased approach to our recommendations. When you use our links to buy products, we may earn a commission but that in no way affects our editorial independence.

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Money blog: Can my lender end my fixed-rate mortgage early?

A reader wants to know why her two-year fixed mortgage is ending after 18 months - we get an expert to take a look. Read this in our weekend edition of the Money blog below and leave your thoughts in the comments box. We'll be back with regular updates after the bank holiday on Tuesday.

Monday 27 May 2024 21:09, UK

Weekend Money

• 'My mortgage lender is ending my two-year fix and I haven't been in the house for two years - can they do this?'
• How much is pocket money in 2024 and where are kids spending it? New data reveals all
• Inflation, election and energy bills: What a big week of announcements means for your pocket
• Ford engine problems, inflation data scepticism and BT landline switch: What readers have said this week

Best of the week

• What now for mortgages after inflation and election announcements?
• Ian King : Here's why price cap is still £300 more than before Ukraine war
• Which biscuits have the least sugar? Your guide to elevenses
• Savings Guide: Britons urged to act quickly to grab above-inflation savings rates while they last
• Best of the Money blog - an archive

Ask a question or make a comment

Every Monday we get an expert to answer your money problems or consumer disputes. Find out how to submit yours at the bottom of this post. Today's question is...

I bought my first flat in April 2023 with a two-year fixed-rate mortgage. I got the deal with the help of a broker, who has now contacted me saying my deal is due to end in November - significantly earlier than I had expected. I've spoken to my lender - they said the deal I was on no longer exists. Is there anything I can do to keep my current rate?  Michelle, Kent

We asked David Hollingworth, associate director at L&C Mortgages , to answer this one...

Fixed mortgage rates do what they say on the tin and lock in the interest rate payable for a specified period of time.  Those periods will generally be blocked into market sectors and so are usually tagged as two, three or five-year fixed rates.  

Once that deal is taken, the terms cannot be changed by the lender and the rate can't be brought to an end early.

Some lenders will fix their deals for a specific number of years from completion, but a lot of lenders' rates will be fixed until a specific end date. That could mean that the fix will last even longer than two years at the point that the application is made.

However, it can take time to complete a deal, especially when purchasing a property which may be subject to a lengthy chain. 

Mortgage offers will typically be valid for up to six months. If you originally agreed to buy your flat before the end of 2022 then the deal on offer at the time could feasibly have been fixed until November 2024. 

That could have equated to two years or more when you applied but if it took some time to complete the purchase, it would explain why you feel that you haven't benefited from a full two years of the fixed rate.

It would be a good idea to look back at the original mortgage offer, which will specify all the product details. That will detail when the fixed rate ends and what rate the mortgage will move onto after that. 

That's likely to be a higher variable rate, so it makes sense to shop around for a better deal well before the current rate comes to an end. 

A broker will be able to help you work out the best available rates for you, whether from your current lender or from across the whole market. 

This feature is not intended as financial advice - the aim is to give an overview of the things you should think about.  Submit your dilemma or consumer dispute via:

• The form above - you need to leave a phone number or email address so we can contact you for further details
• Email [email protected] with the subject line "Money blog"
• WhatsApp us  here

By Bhvishya Patel , Money team

Pocket money is in decline, data shows - but kids are finding new ways to pay for their everyday "essentials".

Data from the Natwest pocket money index  (looking at transactions from 308,000 children in the Rooster app) shows only 30% of families now pay pocket money as part of a regular routine (down 2%), with children getting £3.78 on average a week (down 10p from last year).

In fact, pocket money now makes up just 14% of children's income. Instead they're finding new income streams - with a typical child netting £479.96 a year (£9.23 a week) for one-off chores or entrepreneurship.

These "salaries" obviously differ for age groups... 

• £5.68 for a six-year-old 
• £24.71 for a 17-year-old

British children are now charging extra for chores and squeezing more money out of their side hustles.

• Car cleaning earned £3.25 on average - 32% (79p) more than a year ago
• Paper round earnings increased 2% (45p) to £23.10 a week
• However, it's been a less good year for reselling - with earnings down 15% to £22.62 a week.

Arguably the most interesting part of the data is where kids are spending their money.

Amazon was top, with Tesco and McDonald's next. Primark, Co-op, PlayStation, Xbox, Sainsbury's and Asda are next in that order - but there's no place this year for Apple, which has been replaced by fashion brand Shein, rounding off the top 10.

NatWest Rooster Money said "kids' money is completely changing shape"... 

"Kids are increasingly complementing [pocket money] in other, more sophisticated ways. This move to greater independence and maturity in their earning has been fantastic to see and bodes well for some bright, financially confident futures ahead." Will Carmichael, chief executive and founder of NatWest Rooster Money

An illustration of this maturity is kids' saving rate of 9.5% - not far off the adult average of 10.2%. Gaming, holidays and the future were the top three saving incentives, in that order.

Is there a right answer?

Kirsty Ketley, a parenting specialist from Surrey, said she gave her 11-year-old daughter Ella £5 and her seven-year-old son Leo £2 a week in cash.

They both started receiving pocket money when they were six.

"I often say to parents, even with children as young as four, it's fine to start giving a bit of pocket money because it's such an important life skill to have – to learn how to manage money because you don't get taught it," she said.

Presenter and children's author Konnie Huq, who has two sons, Covey, 12, and Huxley, 10, told the Money team that a regular pocket money allowance was a "really good way" of getting children into the habit of earning and spending.

She said receiving a regular allowance helped teach children "responsibility" and "financial literacy".

"That's what they will be doing as the grown-ups they become," she said. "I've always said kids are shaping and forming between 0 to seven. You want to put the values in them now in these younger years that they will take through with them in their life."

Sharon Olivero-Chapman, chief executive and founder of Harrienna Health, disagrees. She has always thought a regular pocket money figure is the "wrong message to give to children" - and her daughter Harriet, 13, is one of those raking it in from side hustles.

"Pocket money gives them the wrong association with money," she said. "They're just given money on a plate, whereas that's not real life, is it?"

Ms Olivero-Chapman said if her daughter did want to buy something she had to work out how she could get that money and would then be given chores to earn it. She said it was £1 to unload and fill the dishwasher, £1 to fill and empty the washing machine and 50p to make her bed.

"It's not a regular thing every week," she explained.

Ms Olivero-Chapman said the family's entrepreneurial bug had rubbed off on Harriet and she began running her own Etsy store business last year which sees her personalise phone cases. Her business has earned nearly £1,000 so far.

Your pocket money stories - how much, how and in return for what

The Dursuns, Scotland

Aga Dursun, 41, a PMO analyst from Erskine, gives her 13-year-old son Galip £3 a day and her nine-year-old son Troy £1 a day via transfers into a Starling account. They also get £20 each on her pay day. No chores are required.

"It gives them a lot of freedom and they learn the value of money as well because for example now if they want more expensive trainers they have to save up," she says.

"It's mostly spent on games which breaks my heart."

The Shaws, London

Sammy Shaw, from Enfield, said she gave her eight-year-old twins Teddy and Hope £3.50 a week via the Natwest Rooster Money card.

To earn the money, her son and daughter are set a number of activities which they must complete  - if they don't, money is deducted.

"My two have got an exceptional amount they have got to do. The first thing they've got to do is make their bed, get dressed independently. When they go downstairs they've got to do 10 minutes of practice on the keyboard, they do Times Tables Rock Stars (a digital maths app) and then 10 minutes of reading. 

"The parent has to go into the app and approve these activities and if they don't do them it takes percentages off."

Last year, the twins saved up to buy theatre tickets for the family at £35 a pop.

The Regulskis, Wales

Over in Caerphilly, Dean Regulski, 44, has a fairly similar routine: money in return for washing, ironing, dog walking, laundry and vacuuming. He and his wife give kids Emmeline, Nancy and Abraham (aged 12 to 15) £10 a week also using Rooster.

"Every time they want to make a transaction, it pings my phone so straight away I can have a conversation with them about what they are buying and if it's just sweets I can limit it on the app so it's a £1 transaction," Dean says.

"My son the other day was asking if he could buy something that was beyond the £40 and I said he can take it out next month but that will cost extra chores. I explained the concept of interest to him."

The Moores, West Midlands

Ben Moore, 40, from Solihull, said his 13-year-old twin daughters had got £5 a week in pocket money for the past two years.

They used GoHenry before switching to a debit card.

"We spent a year on GoHenry and it was good because we could say 'you can't spend it on McDonald's' and restrict the type of spending but there was a monthly fee for it," he said.

Chores are not a requirement as he is "really keen" his daughters use the money to "go out with their friends rather than just sit on their phones".

The Scotts, Wiltshire

Fiona Scott, 58, from Swindon in Wiltshire, said her three children Samantha, 24, Georgia, 22, and David, 17, all got pocket money until they were able to make their own money.

"We've always had a little book at home showing this is what is coming in and going out and this is what we've got to spend, so I've encouraged them all to do that in different ways. They've got used to seeing and understanding what a household budget is," she said.

The Joneses, West Midlands

Mother-of-three Jenny Jones, 43, said her 11-year-old daughter Rebecca receives £10 a month - no chores, but everyone is expected to muck in.

It started off with 50p a week when she was seven but when she turned 11, Ms Jones opened up a junior account at Barclays and money goes in monthly.

"It's taught her general management around money. At the moment she loves bubble tea and she loves getting bits of jewellery so it's a case of her thinking what does she want, can she afford both? It enables her to make those decisions.

"It's just those life lessons, isn't it? We can't have everything we want and you've got to make those decisions - and it's okay to make the wrong decision, which is normal."

The main topics from the Money blog that got you commenting this week were...

• Known issues with Ford EcoBoost engines
• Inflation drops to 2.3% 

BT delays switch from analogue landlines

'My second-hand Ford is being written off with a known issue - but no one is taking responsibility'

Every Monday, we get an expert to answer your money problems or consumer disputes. 

This week, Rory Raftery told us about a known issue with his Ford C-Max which had caused it to be written off. He asked if there was anything he could do. 

Dozens of readers wrote in to say they had similar issues. 

Money Blog, I had a Ford Focus with an EcoBoost Engine that failed after 62k miles on it, and Ford won't entertain any responsibility because not full Ford service history, offered no help whatsoever, have and are being treated appallingly at every level. Damian Moynihan

Bought a second hand EcoBoost 1.0 13 plate Focus from a broker… had it less than three months and the car has had sudden coolant loss and engine failure due to a cylinder head crack, almost a £5,000 repair. Ford need to be held accountable for this, it's ridiculous... no warning light, no temperature rises and then bang the car's engine is finished. The car has covered 73,000 miles. Gareth from Wigan

The Ford EcoBoost problem has prompted a recall for US cars with the exact same issue. Yet in the UK Ford are doing nothing about the issue. There is a Facebook page with over 20k members all experiencing the same issue and Ford refuse to acknowledge the issue, in the UK at least. anonymous

Here's what Ford had to say when we published Rory's problem: "Ford is confident in the robustness and reliability of its EcoBoost engine technology when the stated guidelines for maintenance and service are followed. 

"Ford UK is happy to investigate service support and/or compensation measures for any customer who believes they have had an EcoBoost engine issue and is happy to review cases with a full-service history for vehicles up to 10 years old with less than 150,000 miles.

"For any customers in the UK whose vehicle meets these parameters, you can speak to our customer relationship team and contact details can be found on our website  here ." 

The company said timely and correct servicing as outlined in the owner's manual was key for wet belt maintenance and any illuminated dashboard warning lights should always receive attention. 

On Wednesday, we got the latest inflation figures, showing it had dropped to 2.3% in April - down from 3.2% in March.

A drop to 2.1% had been expected by the Bank of England, but it showed the fight against price rises was being won.

Here's what some readers had to say about it... 

All my experiences when I go grocery shopping don't fill me with optimism that prices are almost stabilising. Particularly household items, such as cleaning costs, are still rising steadily and frequently. An item I buy was £3 something a matter of weeks ago. This morning... £5. Su H

Am I the only person who thinks that increasing the minimum wage by 10% in April and the knock-on effect of increasing wages by more than 8% in labour intensive industries is going to cause an increase in inflation that will make a reduction in interest rates very unlikely? Rayayre

The national living wage for workers increased by 9.8% on 1 April from £10.42 to £11.44.  

Since the recent decline in inflation is largely due to energy prices, can anyone name a specific government action that influenced energy prices traded on the international market? This government can't resist taking credit for everything! Marek

You have written this story as a failure of government to bring inflation down to a level some analysts forecast, despite it being a huge drop and within a whisker of the 2% target. It reads like a piece one would expect to hear coming from a Labour politician. Tom Jeffries

I don't believe this for one moment, did my shopping yesterday the price of food is disgracefully high still and takes up most of my income as a family. Andrea

I have seen no change in the cost of living, my car insurance is up 10%, council tax did the same. Shrinkflation is still going on. Food prices may have stopped increasing, but they have not gone down. My job as an assessor had its hours and pay cut of 1/3, bills remain! StevieB

Inflation down but prices remain high, my mortgage and day-to-day bills are still cripplingly high while my wages stagnate. In real terms I've never had so little disposable income. The cost of living crisis is far from over. Kingsholm_Neil

How does UK inflation compare around the world ? KevinPB

We found the answer to this one on Wednesday...

Why are prices on certain things still expensive and will they ever go down? Nick12

On Nick's question, inflation coming down doesn't mean prices are. It just means prices are rising at a slower rate. 

For prices to drop, we would need negative inflation, which isn't common. 

But, in the April data, we did see it in the energy sector thanks to the price cap change. 

On Monday, BT Group pushed back its timetable for moving all customers off the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) and on to digital landlines.

From this summer, customers who have not used their landline in the past 12 months, who do not identify as vulnerable or have additional needs, have not contacted an Alarm Receiving Centre (ARC) in the past 24 months and live in an area where a data sharing agreement is in place, will be switched - unless they have opted out.

Vulnerable customers or those with additional needs will start to be switched from summer 2025, with the aim to have all customers moved off the old analogue PSTN by the end of January 2027.

We have a thatched house and no mobile signal. We signed up to Fibre-to-the-Premises (FttP) and despite protests, we were "upgraded" to digital voice at "no extra cost". Time to give us back our copper which always works - even when we have no electricity. Ian P

Living in a rural area where we have power cuts for different reasons and internet signal is non-existent without Wi-Fi, how will we stay connected? Melanie

I live in Lancaster but my signal is so poor that I have to ask family to call me on my landline. How on earth are we supposed to manage without one? Pat

Three big announcements this week could have significant implications for the money in your pocket.

First, April's inflation data , which on the face of it was good news. 

Price rises slowed to 2.3%, within touching distance of the Bank of England's 2% target and into what economists regard as normal levels.

The Bank has repeatedly stressed that interest rates (which have been elevated to squeeze spending and encourage saving, which usually stops prices going up so quickly) would start to fall when the 2% figure was sustainably hit.

Herein lies the issue - sustainability. Because while headline CPI has fallen dramatically from highs of more than 11% in 2022, a closer look at the numbers suggests the fight against price rises isn't over just yet.

Core inflation, which strips out the volatile elements like energy and food, remains at 3.9% - while service inflation is at 5.9%. All of these numbers, including the headline figure, are above forecasts.

All of which has prompted markets to price in an August rate cut from 5.25% to 5% - previously they'd expected June.

Economics editor Ed Conway wrote this analysis...

Some suggested the fall in inflation, combined with the IMF upgrading UK growth forecasts , provided Rishi Sunak with a positive platform on which to call a summer election.

Conway isn't so sure.

He says: "We're out of recession. That's one of the key things they were waiting for. Inflation is now down to a normal level. Those things have been ticked off [but] there are a couple of issues. 

"First of all, it doesn't look like, with inflation not falling quite as far as everyone would have expected, that the final thing they were hoping for, the Bank of England cutting interest rates, is going to happen in June. There probably is not going to be an interest rate cut before the election. That's quite significant.

"Secondly, when people look at this election, it's that old question: do you feel better off than you did four or five years ago? 

"And in this case, there is no parliamentary period in history where people have seen their real disposable incomes squeezed as much as this one. 

"That's what the prime minister's fighting against."

We took a closer look at what the election and new interest rate forecasts mean for mortgages and the housing market here...

We also examined what the election result on 4 July could mean for people's finances, honing in on what we know about the major parties' plans from childcare to train fares to tax...

Finally, energy bills will fall again in July after Friday's price cap announcement.

They'll be £122 (annually) below the April-June figure.

However, daily standing charges are going up - which means those who use more energy will feel the most benefit from the price cap fall...

Sir Keir Starmer told us that Labour's plan for a new company called Great British Energy would help bring prices down...

And business presenter Ian King explained why energy bills are still £300 more than before the Ukraine war...

The Money blog is your place for consumer news, economic analysis and everything you need to know about the cost of living - bookmark news.sky.com/money.

It runs with live updates every weekday - while on Saturdays we scale back and offer you a selection of weekend reads.

Check them out this morning and we'll be back on Monday with our regular Money Problem feature - and full rolling news and features after the bank holiday on Tuesday. 

The Money team is Emily Mee, Bhvishya Patel, Jess Sharp, Katie Williams, Brad Young and Ollie Cooper, with sub-editing by Isobel Souster. The blog is edited by Jimmy Rice.

Cara Delevingne's childhood home is up for sale - but it's come to market with a huge £23.5m price tag. 

The 5,456 sq ft property in London's Belgravia was also home to controversial casino and zoo owner John Aspinall in the 1960s. 

Mr Aspinall and the mansion were also linked to the disappearance of Lord Lucan in 1974 - a mystery that still hasn't been solved. 

After he died in 2000, the five-bedroom house was bought by Charles and Pandora Delevingne - the parents of supermodel Cara and her older sisters Chloe and Poppy.

The Grade II-listed building on Lyall Street comes with two reception rooms, a study, a home cinema and a professional chef's kitchen. 

A gym, sauna, steam room and rooftop cocktail bar are also included. 

In around 2014, with their daughters grown up, the Delevingnes moved from the Lyall Street mansion and downsized.

The current owners bought the house a couple of years later and have given the mansion an extensive renovation and modernisation. 

"It is one of the best houses currently available for sale in Belgravia and is immaculately presented and beautifully interior designed," said Charles Lloyd, head of Beauchamp Estates. 

The reason for the fall in the household energy price cap is pretty straightforward - wholesale electricity and gas prices have fallen since the price cap was last set in February this year.

Wholesale gas and electricity prices make up by far the biggest proportion of the energy bills - £720 of the current £1,690 - and Ofgem is assuming, for July, August and September, a wholesale electricity price of 22.36 pence per kilowatt hour (kWh), down from 24.50 pence per kWh during the current quarter.

It is also assuming a wholesale gas price of 5.48 pence per kWh from July to September, down from 6.04 pence per kWh during the current quarter.

That brings down the wholesale energy component of the typical bill (which is based on an assumption that a household will use 12,000 kWh per year of gas and 2,900 kWh of electricity) from £720 to £619.

The question some people may have, though, is why the energy price cap that Ofgem has set for the three months from July remains higher, at £1,568, than the level at which it was set - £1,277 - at the time the energy crisis was sparked by Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

At first blush, this seems a reasonable enough question, given that a barrel of Brent Crude - a reasonable enough proxy for wholesale energy prices - stands today at $80.78 (£63.50) per barrel, down from the heights it hit after the invasion.

But bear in mind that, in those days, the price cap was only set by Ofgem every six months, rather than quarterly as at present.

The price cap in place immediately before the crisis came into effect on 1 October 2021 having been set on 6 August that year.

Prior to that, wholesale energy prices had been lower than they are now. The wholesale energy component for the price cap for the winter of 2021/22 was, accordingly, £528 - lower than the £619 it will be from July.

Other costs taken into account by Ofgem are also higher now than they were before Russia invaded Ukraine.

The UK needs "longer term solutions" on energy prices because they are still "record high almost", Sir Keir Starmer has said.

The Labour leader was commenting on a fall in the energy price cap.

From 1 July it will be £1,568 a year - a drop of £122 from the previous quarter. 

But Sir Keir said many people were still struggling to make ends meet.

"Everywhere I go, so many people tell me the cost of living is still bearing down on them," he told Sky News.

"People on a mortgage, [those] coming off a fixed mortgage, know their mortgages are going up by hundreds of pounds.

"Everybody knows prices are still going up - energy prices are still record high almost."

He added: "We need longer term solutions."

Labour's proposed Great British Energy (GBE) would help energy prices "come down for good", Sir Keir claimed.

GBE would be a publicly owned company with a mandate to invest in clean energy – wind, solar, tidal, nuclear and other emerging technologies. It would be designed to invest in riskier areas where the private sector might be reluctant.

Asked when energy prices would drop under GBE, and how quickly it could be established, he said: "Certainly by the end of the parliament, and a lot sooner than that.

"We can set up Great British Energy pretty quickly."

Discussions are already under way with potential partners, he added.

Claire Coutinho, the energy secretary, told Sky News that Great British Energy is a "complete gimmick" and a "drop in the ocean".

She also accused Labour of having "no plan" on energy security.

Putting off "life admin" could be costing you thousands of pounds a year, research has suggested.

It is estimated that adults in the UK could save £300 a year by cancelling unused subscriptions, £420 by reviewing their day-to-day finances, and £372 by re-evaluating a gym membership. 

"On average, Brits admit to putting off simple tasks by four to six months," Lloyds Bank said.

When asked why they had been delaying, almost a fifth (18%) said there was no deadline, one in seven (16%) said it was easier to take no action, while for 13% the memory of previous difficulties was off-putting.

Turning to the future, a fifth (20%) admitted not having a pension, while only two fifths (42%) knew how to add more money to their pension if they had one. 

If you are looking for a detailed analysis of today's cut in the energy price cap (see our breaking news post from 7am) then the following from Martin Lewis is worth digesting.

The founder of Money Saving Expert has split his reaction into three sections.

Lewis says the cap will drop on 1 July by an average of 7.2% for Direct Debit customers, 6.9% for prepay customers, and 7.1% for those who pay when they get a bill.

The cap will fall to £1,568 a year - a drop of £122 from the previous quarter. 

Standing charges (what you pay regardless of how much energy you use) "remain high" and are "virtually unchanged", Lewis says.

"All the cut" is via unit rates, he adds.

That means those who use more energy will be seeing bigger savings.

The electricity unit rate for Direct Debit customers from July will be 22.36p/kwH - down 9% from 24.5p, Lewis says.

The electricity standing charge will be 60.12p a day - up from 60.1p.

The gas unit rate will be 5.48p/kwH - down 9% from 6.04p.

And the gas standing charge will be 31.41p - slightly down from 31.43p.

Lewis says the results of a consultation on standing charges are likely to be published sometime in the "summer", adding: "Whenever that is."

As we reported in our post at 7.34am, respected market researcher Cornwall Insight is predicting that bills are likely to rise once more in the run-up to winter. 

Lewis comments: "If they're right this is the last fall, and the coming rises are big.

"On 1 July it's confirmed [the cap] drops 7%, so for every £100 paid today you pay £93. 

"Then on 1 Oct it's predicted to rise 12%, so you'll go back up and be paying £104. 

"Then on 1 Jan the crystal ball is saying it'll stay flat (at £104). 

"All this makes the cheapest fixes, which are currently 9% cheaper than now (so £91 per £100 on the price cap), look a decent bet."

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Why go with Allianz Travel Insurance?

As a world leader in travel protection, we help more than 70 million people answer the call of adventure with confidence every year.

We're Protecting You

From protection for trip cancellation to medical bills abroad, our benefits are designed to help you explore reassured.

We're There For You

We've got your back with award-winning 24/7 assistance and a worldwide network of prescreened hospitals to help you get the right care.

We're Built For You

From our Allyz ® TravelSmart app to proactive SmartBenefits, we innovate for the way you travel today - and tomorrow.

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LATEST COVERAGE ALERTS

The events listed below are considered "known and foreseeable" for travel insurance purposes on the date listed next to the event. Please consult your policy for more information.

More Coverage Alerts »

Terms, conditions, and exclusions apply. Please see your plan for full details. Benefits/Coverage may vary by state, and sublimits may apply.

Insurance benefits underwritten by BCS Insurance Company (OH, Administrative Office: 2 Mid America Plaza, Suite 200, Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181), rated “A” (Excellent) by A.M. Best Co., under BCS Form No. 52.201 series or 52.401 series, or Jefferson Insurance Company (NY, Administrative Office: 9950 Mayland Drive, Richmond, VA 23233), rated “A+” (Superior) by A.M. Best Co., under Jefferson Form No. 101-C series or 101-P series, depending on your state of residence and plan chosen. A+ (Superior) and A (Excellent) are the 2nd and 3rd highest, respectively, of A.M. Best's 13 Financial Strength Ratings. Plans only available to U.S. residents and may not be available in all jurisdictions. Allianz Global Assistance and Allianz Travel Insurance are marks of AGA Service Company dba Allianz Global Assistance or its affiliates. Allianz Travel Insurance products are distributed by Allianz Global Assistance, the licensed producer and administrator of these plans and an affiliate of Jefferson Insurance Company. The insured shall not receive any special benefit or advantage due to the affiliation between AGA Service Company and Jefferson Insurance Company. Plans include insurance benefits and assistance services. Any Non-Insurance Assistance services purchased are provided through AGA Service Company. Except as expressly provided under your plan, you are responsible for charges you incur from third parties. Contact AGA Service Company at  800-284-8300 or 9950 Mayland Drive, Richmond, VA 23233 or [email protected] .

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