You’re at the airport. They lost your bags. Your incoming flight was late, and now you’re late for a meeting. You need to rent a car, and fast. No time to think when the clerk asks if you’d like to purchase rental car insurance, so you just say No.

Whoa. Back up.

Rental car insurance is just a few dollars more per day, and it will protect you from having to pay for any damages you might incur during your trip. You’re in a hurry and trying to save as much money as possible, so your first thought is probably to skip the insurance. After all, you’re a safe driver and don’t foresee anything happening to this nice car you’re renting.

But hang on – what if something does go wrong? What if another driver runs into you? What if the freeway overhead collapses? What if there’s a tornado or some other act of God? Are you sure you want to risk having something happen that would cost you much more in the long run? You might want to rethink your initial reaction and just go with the rental car insurance. It’s not that much more, and you’ll feel better knowing you’re protected.

Don’t Just Check the Box

Before you sign up for rental car insurance, ask what it covers. It might be easy to just check the box stating that you want the rental car insurance, but what if it doesn’t cover certain things? For instance, some rental car insurance won’t protect you from acts of God, such as hurricanes or floods. Others only protect you if you’re hit by another car. You need to be completely clear about what’s covered before you sign up for the rental car insurance, so that you know exactly what you’re paying for.

How Much Will It Cost?

Often you’re in a hurry when you rent a car. The process usually goes so quick that you’re only at the counter for a few minutes and, before you know it, in the rental car cruising down the highway. It’s not until you return the car that you’re bombarded with fees and extra charges you weren’t aware of. So slow down, take a deep breath and don’t hurry through the process of signing up for rental car insurance. Take your time and ask plenty of questions. How much does the rental car insurance cost? Is it accrued each day or bundled in one simple package? You don’t want any surprises when you drop the car off, so make sure you are clear on everything from the beginning.

Renting a car can be a fun experience. After all, you get to try out a new car – maybe even a fancy little sports car, if you’re so inclined – and run the miles up on a car you don’t own. However, remember that bad things can happen to spoil your good time. You don’t want to pay for damages that might occur while the car is in your possession if you don’t have to. So take a minute or two to sign up for the extra rental car insurance – then relax, adjust the seat, find your favorite radio station and drive.