I rented a car from Avis on Saturday for a month, but I realized I don’t have insurance. There was some miscommunication with HR regarding corporate coverage. They advised against getting rental car insurance if I used their corporate code, but I now understand I should have rented through the company portal to get the necessary coverage, which would be billed through a company credit card.
Currently, I’m driving a Toyota Tacoma and need to find insurance. However, most third-party insurance providers don’t allow for retroactive coverage. Is it okay since I haven’t had any incidents yet?
Can Avis provide insurance now that the rental period has already started?
Am I better off returning the car?
It sounds like you’re in a tricky situation, but you do have a few options to consider:
Contact Avis Directly: Reach out to Avis customer service to explain your situation. They may offer you a way to add insurance to your rental agreement, even if it’s a few days in. Policies can vary by location, so it’s worth asking.
Check with Your Personal Auto Insurance: If you have personal auto insurance, it might cover rental cars. Contact your insurance provider to see if you have coverage that applies to your rental.
Look for Rental Insurance Options: Some companies may allow you to purchase insurance after the rental has started. While it’s not as common, it’s worth checking with major insurance providers or rental car insurance options online.
Review Credit Card Benefits: If you later find out your corporate credit card actually does provide some level of rental car insurance (even if you thought it didn’t), you might have some coverage opportunities. Double-check the terms with your card issuer.
Consider Returning the Car: If insurance isn’t an option and you’re uncomfortable with the risk of being uninsured, returning the car might be the safest choice. Explain your situation to Avis; they may offer alternatives or allow a hassle-free return.
Future Rentals: For future rentals, look into using your company’s portal or ensure that your corporate card has rental coverage to avoid similar issues going forward.
Since you haven’t had any incidents yet, you might be in a good position to resolve this without major complications. Good luck!