Rental Car Travel Insurance
How travel insurance may help Canadians with rental car damage, theft, or breakdowns
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At a glance
- Hit the road with rental car coverage: World Nomads offers travel insurance for rental cars for Canadian residents
- Drive with confidence: You may be reimbursed for the cost of repairing a rental car, or replacing it, if it gets seriously damaged for a covered reason (up to maximum benefits shown in your policy documents)
- Cover for rental car mishaps: Incidents such as collision, theft, vandalism, natural disasters, fire, and hail may be covered
- Roadside assistance: You may be reimbursed for roadside assistance charges if your rental car breaks down (up to maximum benefits shown in your policy documents)
- Why should you consider travel insurance for rental cars?
- What’s Covered for Rental Cars
- Important to Know
- Maximum Coverage Limits for Rental Cars
- If my rental car is damaged, what should I do?
- Tips for Renting a Car While Travelling
- FAQs
Why should you consider travel insurance for rental cars?
Sometimes even the best vacations come with a few bumps in the road. If you’re driving along the narrow roads in Italy or dodging potholes in Costa Rica, accidents can happen. But cars can get dinged up or hit while sitting in a parking lot, too. Nobody thinks about that when they’re picking up the keys for their rental car, but if it gets damaged, you may be responsible for the costs of fixing it. That can add up to a huge unexpected expense. But travel insurance for rental cars may help reimburse you for the cost of fixing, or replacing, the damaged rental car. If the car breaks down while it’s in your possession, you may also be reimbursed for the cost of roadside assistance (up to the maximum benefit limit shown in the policy documents).
What’s Covered for Rental Cars
- Collision
- Theft
- Vandalism
- Fire
- Hail
- Natural Disasters
- Roadside Assistance
Important to Know
- Rentals of heavy-duty trucks (not including jeeps or SUVs), campers, trailers, off-road vehicles, motor bikes, motorcycles, recreational vehicles, and exotic vehicles are excluded from coverage
- You must report any damage to the proper local authorities and the rental car company
- Damage to other vehicles, structures, or people aren’t covered
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol will void your coverage
- Rental car insurance benefits are only included on the Explorer, Epic, and Annual Multi-Trip plans
- Limits, terms, and conditions of coverage vary depending on the plan you buy
Maximum Coverage Limits for Rental Cars
| Standard Plan | Explorer Plan | Epic Plan | Annual Plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Not covered Get a quote |
Rental Car Protection: Up to $45,000 CAD Roadside Assistance: Up to $250 CAD Get a quote |
Rental Car Protection: Up to $70,000 CAD Roadside Assistance: Up to $500 CAD Get a quote |
Rental Car Protection: Up to $45,000 CAD Roadside Assistance: Up to $250 CAD Get a quote |
If my rental car is damaged, what should I do?
- If you’ve had a car accident, first make sure you and your passengers are ok.
- Reach out to the 24/7 Emergency Assistance Team to let them know what happened. If you need medical care, they may be able to help direct you to a place where you can get the care you need.
- Report the incident to the local authorities.
- You’ll also want to notify the company that you rented the car from. The rental car company will advise you on what to do with the vehicle. You’ll want to take all necessary steps to protect the vehicle and prevent further damage to it.
- When you turn in the car, you’ll need to find out how much it is going to cost to fix it or have it replaced. You will need to get an official written estimate that details exactly what may need to be repaired, and the costs associated with it. Make sure that you keep this, and all documents that include information about the incident. This includes the police report, rental agreement, and damage estimate. Pictures of the damaged vehicle will be helpful as well.
- You can start a claim for your rental car travel insurance benefits, but you’ll want to make sure you have all of your documentation to submit.
Tips for Renting a Car While Travelling
Roads are a little safer here in Canada than other places. For example, a study by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety showed that Canada has 43% fewer traffic fatalities than the U.S. We encourage you to be especially cautious when driving while travelling. Because of the risks involved with driving in other countries, you may want to consider getting a quote for rental car travel insurance. Here are a few of our other tips for renting a car while you’re travelling.
- Try renting from a rental car facility that’s not located at the airport – it may save you some money.
- Rent the type of car you’ll need for your destination. For example, if you’re in a snowy destination, you may need a four-wheel-drive vehicle.
- Double check and make sure what types of vehicles are covered by your car rental travel insurance benefits.
- When you pick up your rental car, take a walk around and make sure the tires are in good condition and properly inflated. Also, check to make sure the wipers and lights work properly and there are no warning lights flashing.
- If you see any damage, show the staff. Snap photos of any scratches or dents before you leave the car rental facility so you can prove it was there when you rented the car.
- If there are printed maps available at your rental car facility, grab one. Yeah yeah, we know it seems old school, but if you lose your internet connection or your phone battery dies, it could be nice to have a paper map as a back-up.
- Before you leave home, print a copy of your plan documents to show proof that you have rental car travel insurance benefits. You won’t want to be searching for those if something happens. Also save the 24/7 Emergency Assistance Team phone number and plan number in your phone so that it’s easily accessible if you get in a car accident.
FAQ
Here are our most frequently asked questions about cover for rental car damage. You can also find the answers to other questions in our Help Center or you can ask the customer service team.
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Do car rental companies require insurance?
All car rental companies are different, but most car rental companies have their insurance requirements listed on their website. If they don’t, call them. Even if it’s not required, take a look at their paperwork to see what you’ll be responsible for if something happens to the car while it’s in your possession. If you feel it is advantageous to get a quote for travel insurance that includes rental car coverage, we encourage you to read the plan documents so that you know what is included. If you have any questions about anything, contact us and ask.
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What is covered by rental car travel insurance benefits?
Travel insurance for rental cars may provide reimbursement for the reasonable and customary cost of repairs and rental charges imposed by the rental company while the vehicle is being repaired, if the car is damaged due to a collision, theft, vandalism, natural disaster or any cause beyond your control while in your possession. If you have a World Nomads plan that includes travel insurance for rental car damage, you could be reimbursed for the fair market value to replace the car if it’s a total loss (up to policy limits). If the car breaks down, you may also be reimbursed for roadside assistance (up to the maximum benefit limit shown in the policy documents). If you have questions about coverage, you can contact us and ask.
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What happens if I total a rental car?
If you have a World Nomads plan that includes travel insurance for rental car damage, you may be reimbursed for the fair market value to replace the car if it’s a total loss due to a covered reason, up to the maximum benefit limit shown in the policy documents.
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Can my travel buddy drive the rental car too?
If you have a World Nomads plan that includes travel insurance for rental cars, coverage is provided to both you and your travelling companion, provided that you are both licensed drivers and are both listed on the rental agreement.
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Which travel insurance plan is the best if I’m renting a car?
World Nomads has four travel insurance plans for Canadian residents – three single-trip plans and an annual multi-trip travel insurance plan. All of the plans may include travel insurance for rental cars except the Standard Plan, which is the most basic plan. If you want to have rental car benefits included in your travel insurance plan, you’ll want to select from the Explorer, Epic, or Annual Multi-Trip Plans. When you get a quote for rental car insurance, you can compare the maximum benefit limits for each plan and choose the plan that offers the level of coverage that you need.
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How much does it cost to get rental car insurance?
When you get a quote for travel insurance for rental cars, emergency medical coverage, and more, you’ll input information about your trip, including the destination and dates. It just takes a few minutes and you’ll then be shown the prices for the different single-trip and annual multi-trip travel insurance plans. At that point, you can choose the best travel insurance plan for your needs. Please note that travel insurance for rental car damage is not included in the Standard plan.
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Does car rental travel insurance cover any type of automobile?
Rentals of heavy-duty trucks (not including jeeps or SUVs), campers, trailers, off-road vehicles, motor bikes, motorcycles, recreational vehicles, and exotic vehicles aren’t covered by car rental travel insurance benefits. If you have questions about a specific vehicle, you can contact us and ask if it may be covered.
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Are there any countries where I cannot use rental car protection insurance?
While standard country exclusions apply (such as certain sanctioned countries), there are not any countries excluded from rental car protection specifically. However, some countries, or even specific rental agencies, may have their own rules regarding acceptable rental car insurance. You may wish to reach out to the rental company ahead of time to confirm their requirements.
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If I get in a car accident in my rental car, are my medical expenses covered?
When you purchase travel insurance for rental car damage, your plan will include other benefits as well – including a benefit that may cover medical emergencies. If you get hurt in a car accident while travelling, it may cover unexpected expenses such as prescription medication, an ambulance ride, x-rays, and a hospital stay. You must have Government Health Insurance Plan (GHIP) coverage in your home province for your entire trip to be eligible for the maximum emergency medical expenses benefit. If you don't, your total limit for all emergency medical expenses is limited to $40,000.
Travel Insurance Benefits: how we can take care of you
Trip Cancellation
Insurance protection for your hard earned vacation in the event of unexpected cancellation.
- Standard Plan: $2,500
- Explorer Plan: $10,000
- Epic Plan: $15,000
- AMT Plan: $10,000
Trip Protection
- Unexpectedly hospitalized?
- Travel buddy unfit to travel?
- Close relative suddenly dies?
We’ve got your back.
Emergency Evacuation & Repatriation
We’ll get you to hospital or home quickly.
- Standard Plan: $250,000
- Explorer Plan: $500,000
- Epic Plan: $750,000
- AMT Plan: $500,000
Emergency Evacuation & Repatriation
- Banged up abroad?
- Need a hospital urgently?
- Medevac home?
Help starts here.
Gear & Baggage Protection
Coverage for the theft, damage or delay of your bags, tech and sports gear.
- Standard Plan: $1,000
- Explorer Plan: $2,000
- Epic Plan: $5,000
- AMT Plan: $2,000
Protect your gear
- Passport or tech stolen?
- Airline lost your gear?
- Bags delayed?
Help starts here.
Protect your health
- Emergency Medical & Dental Expenses
- Emergency Evacuation and Repatriation
- Bedside Companion Travel and Subsistence
- Emergency Professional Services
- Return of Remains
- Return of Travel Companion/Dependent Children
Protect your trip
- Trip Cancellation
- Trip Interruption
- Trip Delay
- Optional Cancel for Any Reason (Explorer or Epic)
- Trip Exchange (Explorer, Epic or AMT)
- Rental Vehicle Damage (Explorer, Epic or AMT)
Protect your stuff
- Baggage and Personal Effects Theft or Damage
- Baggage and Sporting Equipment Delay
- Travel Documents Theft or Damage
- Sporting Equipment Theft or Loss by a Common Carrier
- Covered Adventure Sports listed in Policy
Assistance Services
- 24/7 Worldwide Emergency Medical Assistance
- Worldwide Travel Assistance
- Personal Security Assistance
- Adventure Traveller’s Hotline
- Bag Trak
Before your trip, check the latest government advice for any travel alerts for your destination.