What Progressive Car Insurance Covers When You Rent a Car

Progressive's rental car coverage depends on which policy you have

Progressive does not automatically cover rental cars under a standard auto policy. Whether your rental is covered depends on two things: what type of coverage you bought, and what the rental company's insurance requires. If you have collision and comprehensive coverage, Progressive will cover damage to a rental car under those same limits. If you only have liability coverage, a rental car is not covered by your Progressive policy — you would need to buy coverage from the rental company or use a credit card's rental protection.

The key is that Progressive covers rentals the same way it covers your own car: collision pays for accidents, comprehensive pays for theft or weather damage, and liability pays for damage you cause to someone else's property. Your deductible applies to rental cars just as it does to your own vehicle.

Key Takeaways

• Collision and comprehensive coverage on your Progressive policy will extend to rental cars at the same deductible you chose for your own vehicle.
• Liability-only Progressive policies do not cover rental cars, and you will need to purchase coverage from the rental company or rely on a credit card benefit.
• Most rental car companies require you to carry collision and comprehensive coverage or to buy their damage waiver at the counter.
• You should tell Progressive you are renting a car before you pick it up, so the company can confirm your coverage applies and answer questions about your specific policy limits.

How collision and comprehensive coverage works on rentals

If your Progressive policy includes collision coverage, it pays to repair or replace a rental car if you cause an accident. Your deductible — whether it is $250, $500, or $1,000 — applies to the rental just as it would to your own car. Progressive will pay the rental company for repairs up to the actual cash value of the vehicle, minus your deductible.

Comprehensive coverage on your Progressive policy covers a rental car for theft, vandalism, weather damage, or hitting an animal. Again, your deductible applies. This means if a rental car is stolen or damaged by hail, Progressive will cover it under the same terms as your own vehicle.

The rental company may still require you to buy their damage waiver at the counter, even if you have collision and comprehensive coverage. Some rental companies will waive this fee if you show proof of coverage from your own insurance. Call Progressive before you rent to ask whether they provide a letter or document you can show the rental counter.

What happens if you only have liability coverage

Liability coverage pays for damage you cause to other people or their property, but it does not cover damage to the rental car itself. If you have only liability coverage on your Progressive policy and you damage a rental car in an accident, your Progressive policy will not pay for the rental car's repairs. You would be responsible for the full cost, or you would need to have purchased the rental company's damage waiver.

If you cause an accident and injure someone or damage their vehicle, your Progressive liability coverage will cover that claim, even if you are driving a rental. But the rental car itself is not protected.

Many people with liability-only policies use a credit card's rental car protection instead. Some premium credit cards offer collision and comprehensive coverage for rental cars when you charge the full rental to that card. Check your credit card's benefits before you rent, because this coverage varies widely and may have limits or exclusions.

Rental car coverage limits and your deductible

Progressive applies your policy's collision and comprehensive limits to rental cars. If your policy has a $100,000 collision limit, that limit applies to the rental. In practice, this rarely matters because rental cars are worth far less than most policy limits.

Your deductible, however, matters a great deal. If you chose a $1,000 deductible on your own car to save money on premiums, that same $1,000 deductible applies to a rental car. If the rental car sustains $800 in damage, you pay the full $800 out of pocket because it is below your deductible. If the damage is $1,500, you pay $1,000 and Progressive pays $500.

Some rental companies offer a lower deductible or zero-deductible option if you buy their damage waiver. Weigh the cost of the waiver against your Progressive deductible to decide which is cheaper for your situation.

How to tell Progressive you are renting a car

You do not have to notify Progressive before renting a car, but it is a good idea. Call Progressive's customer service line or log into your online account and send a message to your agent. Tell them the rental dates and ask them to confirm that your collision and comprehensive coverage will explore. They can also tell you whether they have a letter or document you can show the rental counter to prove your coverage.

If you rent through a major company like Enterprise, Hertz, or Avis, the rental counter staff are familiar with customers who have their own insurance. Bring your Progressive insurance card and be ready to provide your policy number. The rental company will note in their system that you declined their damage waiver and are using your own coverage.

If something goes wrong during the rental — an accident, theft, or damage — contact Progressive right away, just as you would for your own car. Progressive will handle the claim with the rental company.

Rental car coverage when you are traveling out of state or internationally

Progressive's collision and comprehensive coverage extends to rental cars in all 50 states and Canada. If you rent a car in another state, your coverage works the same way as it does at home: collision and comprehensive explore at your chosen deductible.

International rentals are more complicated. Progressive does not cover rentals in Mexico or other countries outside North America. If you are planning to rent a car in Mexico, you must buy coverage from the rental company or from a third-party provider. Some credit cards offer international rental coverage, so check your card's benefits before you travel.

What Progressive does not cover on rental cars

Progressive does not cover personal belongings left in a rental car. If you leave a laptop, phone, or luggage in the car and it is stolen, your Progressive auto policy will not reimburse you. You would need to file a claim with your homeowners or renters insurance if those items are covered there.

Progressive also does not cover rental car charges if the car is in the shop after an accident. Some rental companies charge a daily fee for the time the car is unavailable while repairs are made. This is a business loss for the rental company, not damage to the vehicle, so it is not covered by your auto insurance. Some credit cards offer this coverage, so check your card's rental benefits.

Fuel charges, tolls, and parking tickets are your responsibility and are not covered by Progressive. If you return the rental car with an empty tank, the rental company will charge you a refueling fee, and Progressive will not reimburse that.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to buy the rental company's damage waiver if I have Progressive collision coverage?

No, you do not need to buy it, but you may want to compare costs. Your Progressive deductible applies to the rental, so if your deductible is $1,000 and the waiver costs $15 per day, the math depends on how long you are renting. For a week-long rental, the waiver costs $105, which is less than your deductible. For a one-day rental, the waiver is probably not worth it.

What if I rent a car and Progressive is not my primary insurance?

If you have Progressive and another auto policy, Progressive will cover the rental under your collision and comprehensive limits. The other policy is secondary and would only cover amounts above Progressive's limits. Most people do not have two active auto policies, so this is uncommon.

Does Progressive cover rental cars if I am not the one driving?

Progressive covers a rental car if you are the policyholder and you are driving it. If someone else rents the car in their name, your Progressive policy does not cover it. Each person's own insurance covers rentals they personally rent.

Will Progressive cover a rental car if I am at fault in an accident?

Yes. Collision coverage pays for accidents regardless of who is at fault. Your deductible applies, and Progressive will pay for repairs up to the car's actual cash value. Your liability coverage will also pay for damage you cause to the other person's vehicle or property.

Can I use Progressive to cover a long-term car rental?

Yes, Progressive's collision and comprehensive coverage applies to long-term rentals the same way it applies to short-term ones. Your deductible and policy limits remain the same. However, some rental companies offer discounts for long-term rentals that may not explore if you decline their damage waiver, so ask about pricing before you decide.