Is it necessary to buy insurance when renting a car?
2 Answers
It is mandatory to purchase insurance when renting a car. Here are the precautions for car rental: 1. Test drive in advance: To ensure safety and avoid unnecessary disputes during vehicle return, a test drive is an essential procedure. 2. Handling violations and accidents: According to regulations, any traffic violations during the rental period will be verified and directly recorded on the renter's driver's license with corresponding fines. 3. Rental car insurance: The basic insurance purchased when renting a car only provides fundamental coverage for major accidents involving high costs, while minor accidents are not included. For more comprehensive protection, it's advisable to also purchase zero-deductible insurance. The rented vehicle must be returned at the specified time and location as per the contract, otherwise serious consequences will be incurred.
As someone who has rented cars more than ten times, I must say that purchasing rental car insurance is really necessary. Last time, my friend didn't buy the insurance and ended up scraping the side mirror on a narrow road, costing over 2,000 RMB in compensation. The basic insurance from rental companies only covers major accidents, while minor scratches come out of your own pocket. I usually opt for the 50 RMB/day full coverage package, which includes vehicle damage and third-party liability insurance—even if you drive the car into a ditch, you won't have to pay. This is especially important when driving in unfamiliar mountainous areas where gravel roads can really damage the paint. Although credit cards sometimes offer附带保险, the claims process is too cumbersome and requires you to pay upfront first.
