Branch Owner, TWFG Insurance Services, Fremont California and the Greater Bay Area Representing Dozens of Insurance Carriers
You must have insurance when you rent a car. You have the option to either purchase the insurance offered by the rental car agency or if you personal policy extends you have the option to use your own personal auto insurance coverage. Always check with your agent to see if your own insurance will cover you in a rental car. The rental car agency is not going to let you rent their vehicle without insurance.
Mark has given you a good answer which I would like to expand upon. Always share where you are going with your agent.Even if your policy extends to temporary use of a substitute vehicles, ( which many policies do). Be sure your agent understands where you expect to rent. Most auto policies in the US have geographical limitations too. Note most policies in the US extend use and coverage into Canada. Note it does not say US, Canada and Mexico
The reason it does not, is that you have to buy your legal liability coverage from a Mexican insurer either as you cross the border or from agents who can legally sell that coverage.
If you are traveling and renting a car in multiple countries I suggest you ask your agent for more information on umbrella policies which typically have some coverage world wide, but even then be sure your agent has reviewed your itinerary before you land in another country. IF you get there and have an umbrella, it is best to at least buy the minimum coverage available in the country while you visit.
Keep this advice : don't ignore the locals.
This is really dependent upon the car rental company. They should allow you to rent a car without insurance although they may require you to purchase the insurance they offer. If you go this route, it's important to get the liability insurance in addition to the Collision Damage Waiver as this only covers losses to the car. Also realize that they're concerned about their own liability, not yours. Read the coverage carefully so you understand exactly who it's covering. Is it just the car rental company or is it you, also.
Business Development Officer, T.D. McNeil Insurance Services, Fresno, California
Why would anyone want to operate a vehicle without insurance? If you are asking if you must pay for the insurance offered by the rental company the answer is, “no.” If you have an insured vehicle the coverage from that vehicle extends to the rental car and so you may not need additional insurance. Rental companies rarely ask for evidence of insurance when I rent a car.
That is a great question! By law, you have to be insured to drive a car. Now when it comes to rental cars, do you have to already have a policy? Not necessarily - you may purchase a temporary policy from the rental agency; check with your credit card company, many offer rental cars and insurance to drive them at a discount; and sometimes your frequent flier cards are tied to rental car companies and deals also. I hope that helps, thanks for asking!
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The reason it does not, is that you have to buy your legal liability coverage from a Mexican insurer either as you cross the border or from agents who can legally sell that coverage.
If you are traveling and renting a car in multiple countries I suggest you ask your agent for more information on umbrella policies which typically have some coverage world wide, but even then be sure your agent has reviewed your itinerary before you land in another country. IF you get there and have an umbrella, it is best to at least buy the minimum coverage available in the country while you visit.
Keep this advice : don't ignore the locals.