120+ more){kind=small}
5+ years experience in personal finance writing
Personal finance blogger
Carley Clark is a freelance financial writer based in Michigan. Carley learned how to translate complex financial data into actionable information even before she became a freelance writer – she was a revenue auditor for a Michigan-based casino.
She’s been a freelance writer since 2020, and her work has appeared in well-known brands including CNN Underscored, GOBankingRates, and FinanceBuzz. She earned her bachelor’s degree in business from Spring Arbor University. She’s been an Insurify contributor since August 2025.
When she’s not writing content that helps readers make informed insurance decisions, she enjoys reading, playing video games, and going for walks with her dog.
){kind=small}
Licensed property and casualty insurance agent
10+ years editing experience
NPN: 21630969
MacKenzie Korris is an insurance copy editor with a producer’s license for property and casualty insurance in Missouri.
){kind=small}
Licensed auto and home insurance agent
4+ years experience in insurance and personal finance editing
NPN: 20564519
Katie uses her knowledge and expertise as a licensed property and casualty agent in Massachusetts to help readers understand the complexities of insurance shopping.
Updated
Arizona rental car insurance laws don’t require you to buy any insurance product that a rental company offers. This means you can legally decline all of them at the counter. Rental companies must disclose in writing that these products are optional and may duplicate coverage you already have through your personal car insurance policy.
State law also requires rental companies to either self-insure or carry liability insurance on every vehicle they rent out.[1] That said, Arizona’s minimum coverage limits for rental vehicles are low, so they may not offer adequate protection if you cause an accident.
The good news is that your personal auto insurance typically covers vehicles you rent for non-business use. Many credit cards also provide rental car protection.
Since coverage varies among car insurance companies, it’s a good idea to verify what your policy covers before purchasing something you don’t need at the rental counter.
Arizona’s minimum car insurance requirements differ between individual drivers and rental car companies. If you own and insure your vehicle, you must carry $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for bodily injury liability, plus $15,000 for property damage liability, according to the Arizona Department of Insurance and Financial Institutions (DIFI).[2]
Meanwhile, state law requires a rental car company to demonstrate that it can either self-insure or carry liability coverage before it can rent out a vehicle. The minimum limits required for rental car companies are $15,000 per person and $30,000 per accident for injuries, plus $10,000 for property damage — lower than Arizona’s state minimums.
If the renter has no other applicable coverage, a rental company is financially responsible for third-party claims. The table below breaks down Arizona’s coverage and disclosure requirements for rental vehicles.
Insurance Policy | Required by Arizona Law? |
|---|---|
| Liability coverage on rental vehicles | Yes |
| Renters must buy rental insurance | No |
| Rental companies must disclose when coverage is optional | Yes |
| Proof of financial responsibility required | Yes |
| Rental companies must disclose when they’re not providing primary liability coverage | Yes |
Arizona minimum car insurance requirements include $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for bodily injury liability, plus $15,000 for property damage liability.
Your personal auto insurance covers a rental car in Arizona, but only if you’re not using it for business.[3] Coverage typically matches what you have on your own vehicle.
Whose policy pays first after an accident depends on the situation. If you caused the crash, the rental company’s liability coverage is primary under Arizona law unless the rental agreement discloses otherwise.
If you have no other insurance, the rental company is responsible for the other driver’s damages. If the other driver is at fault, though, their car insurance covers the damages. If you damage your rental car, your personal auto policy may cover repairs — but only if you have comprehensive and collision coverage.
Before renting a car in Arizona, check with your insurer to see what coverage you already have through your own policy.
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Your personal auto policy’s liability coverage typically also applies to a rental car. This is beneficial in Arizona, as the state requires lower liability coverage limits for rental car companies than for drivers.
Carrying higher personal liability limits offers better protection than relying on the rental company’s coverage alone.
Unless you’re renting a car for business, your policy’s comprehensive and collision coverage typically extends to a rental vehicle as well. That means if you’re in an accident with your rental vehicle, your auto policy will likely pay for repairs.
The same deductibles and coverage limits you have on your own car typically apply to a rental car.
Your insurance policy may have exclusions you’ll need to be aware of before renting a car. These include:
Business use: Your personal insurance policy typically won’t cover you if you rent a vehicle for business use. This includes vehicles used for ridesharing.[4]
Luxury or specialty vehicles: Your policy might not cover motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), or RVs. Your coverage limits also might not be high enough to cover the full value of luxury vehicles, such as sports cars.
Administrative fees: A rental company may charge loss-of-use or towing fees that your policy might not cover.
Credit card rental car insurance varies by card and issuer. It may pay if someone steals the car or you damage it in a collision, but it typically excludes personal liability or property damage you cause to others.
Coverage is usually secondary, meaning personal auto insurance pays first. Some of the best credit cards for rental car insurance may offer primary coverage, such as the Chase Sapphire Reserve or Capital One Venture X.
You’ll typically need to pay for the entire rental with the same card that offers coverage. You’ll also need to decline the collision damage waiver offered by the rental company.
Many card issuers don’t cover personal belongings, luxury vehicles, or long-term rentals. Check with your credit card company before relying on it for rental car insurance.
The table below shows what your personal auto policy typically covers, what certain credit cards may cover, and coverages typically available through the rental company.
Coverage | Personal Auto Policy | Credit Card Coverage | Rental Company Coverage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Liability | Usually, if renting for personal use | Generally not | Yes |
| Vehicle damage | Yes, if you have full coverage | Often | Optional |
| Theft of the rental vehicle | Yes, if you have comprehensive coverage | Often | Optional |
| Theft of your property from a rental vehicle | Generally not | Generally not | Optional |
| Your medical expenses if you’re injured | Only if you have MedPay or PIP | Generally not | Optional |
| The other driver’s medical expenses if you caused the crash | Usually, if renting for personal use | Generally not | Yes |
Whether you should purchase extra coverage at the rental counter depends on your existing auto insurance coverage and credit card benefits. If they already cover liability, vehicle damage, and medical expenses, you likely won’t need extra coverage unless you’re renting for business.
If you don’t have protection elsewhere, weigh the cost of insurance against your actual risk. Relying solely on the rental company’s coverage could leave you with substantial out-of-pocket expenses if you cause an accident.
You might consider purchasing insurance at the counter if:
You don’t have a personal car insurance policy.
Your liability limits are low, and you want extra protection.
Your personal policy doesn’t include comprehensive and collision coverage.
You’re traveling for business, since personal policies often exclude business use.
Your credit card offers limited rental car protection.
It might make sense to decline the optional coverage at the rental counter if:
Your auto insurance policy includes liability, comprehensive, and collision coverage.
You’re renting the car for personal use, not business.
Your credit card benefits include rental car protection.
You’re comfortable paying your deductible if damage occurs.
Rental car companies sell several optional coverages at the counter that work like temporary car insurance. Understanding what each product covers and doesn’t cover can help you decide whether to buy it.
Arizona requires rental car companies to disclose that the coverages they offer are optional and that you may already have these protections through your own auto insurance policy. Companies must also provide written details about each product’s terms, the claims process, and the itemized cost of each coverage.
A loss damage waiver, also called a collision damage waiver (CDW), covers the rental car if someone steals it or you damage it in an accident.[5] It doesn’t cover injuries, damage to another person’s car, or your belongings inside the vehicle. You might benefit from an LDW if you don’t have collision or comprehensive coverage on your personal policy.
SLI covers injuries and property damage you cause to others in an accident. Rental companies in Arizona may also include uninsured/underinsured (UM/UIM) coverage with SLI coverage in case an at-fault driver without insurance causes an accident.
SLI doesn’t cover the rental car itself. Consider this coverage if you have low liability limits or no insurance at all.
Personal accident insurance pays your medical bills and those of your passengers after a crash. It doesn’t cover damage to your rental vehicle or third-party injuries.
If you don’t have health insurance or personal injury protection (PIP) through an existing auto policy, you might benefit from PAI.
Personal effects coverage reimburses you if someone steals your belongings from the rental car. It typically won’t cover certain items, such as currency, glasses, furniture, or animals.
This coverage can provide valuable protection when you’re traveling, but coverage is limited, especially for high-value items. Check your renters or homeowners insurance policy to see what coverage already applies.
Vehicle breakdown coverage can help if you have a non-mechanical issue with your rental, such as a flat tire or a dead battery. Some companies set a dollar limit per incident, while others exclude battery charges for electric vehicles (EVs) and hybrids.
You might want this coverage if you’re driving long distances or don’t have roadside assistance through your auto policy or credit card.
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A car accident is stressful. But an accident in a rental vehicle adds another layer of complication, since you may be dealing with the rental company and your own insurer.
Below are the steps to take after an accident in a rental car:
Check for injuries. Make sure everyone is safe before doing anything else.
Notify authorities. Arizona law requires you to stop or return to the scene of the accident and exchange information with the other driver.
Document the damage. Take photos of both vehicles and the surrounding area.
Get your rental agreement number. You’ll need it for the rental company’s incident report.
Notify the rental car company. Most agreements require notice after an accident.
Contact your insurer or credit card company. Start the claims process as soon as possible.
Before renting a vehicle, use the tips below to make sure you’re fully covered and not paying unnecessary charges.
Review your auto policy. Check your current liability, comprehensive, and collision coverage, as well as your deductibles, so you know what carries over to a rental.
Ask about extra costs. Your policy may not cover administrative fees, like towing and loss of use, that many rental companies charge after an accident.
Check your homeowners or renters insurance policy. It may cover theft of your personal belongings from inside the rental car, less your deductible.
Review your credit card benefits. Rental coverage varies by card, so confirm what your issuer covers before renting.
Read the rental agreement carefully. Check what coverages the rental company offers, what it excludes, and how much each coverage costs.
Photograph the vehicle. Before leaving the lot, take pictures or a video of the exterior and interior to document any pre-existing damage.
Close to 46 million people visited Arizona in 2023.[6] Whether you’re renting a vehicle for a business trip or to explore the state’s natural beauty, the information below can help you determine whether you need rental car insurance in Arizona.
Arizona’s rental car insurance laws require companies to carry 15/30/10 coverage on every vehicle or prove financial responsibility before renting cars. Companies must disclose in writing that the coverages they offer are optional.
No. It’s not mandatory to purchase insurance for a rental car in Arizona. Your personal auto insurance typically extends the coverages and limits you have on your own vehicle to the rental vehicle, but only if you don’t use it for business.
It depends. Arizona law makes the rental car company’s coverage primary for accident claims — including property damage and personal injury claims — unless the company discloses otherwise in writing. In that case, your personal auto policy would be primary.
Yes. Rental car companies must self-insure or carry liability insurance in Arizona. But coverage limits are low, so you may want to consider purchasing a non-owner policy or supplemental liability insurance at the counter if you don’t already have auto insurance.
Rental companies in Arizona typically offer a loss damage waiver, supplemental liability insurance (including UM/UIM coverage), personal accident insurance, vehicle breakdown coverage, and personal effects coverage.
It’s a good idea to check your auto policy, health insurance, and renters or home insurance policy to see whether they provide the same coverage, so you don’t pay for duplicate coverage.
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5+ years experience in personal finance writing
Personal finance blogger
Carley Clark is a freelance financial writer based in Michigan. Carley learned how to translate complex financial data into actionable information even before she became a freelance writer – she was a revenue auditor for a Michigan-based casino.
She’s been a freelance writer since 2020, and her work has appeared in well-known brands including CNN Underscored, GOBankingRates, and FinanceBuzz. She earned her bachelor’s degree in business from Spring Arbor University. She’s been an Insurify contributor since August 2025.
When she’s not writing content that helps readers make informed insurance decisions, she enjoys reading, playing video games, and going for walks with her dog.
Licensed property and casualty insurance agent
10+ years editing experience
NPN: 21630969
MacKenzie Korris is an insurance copy editor with a producer’s license for property and casualty insurance in Missouri.
Licensed auto and home insurance agent
4+ years experience in insurance and personal finance editing
NPN: 20564519
Katie uses her knowledge and expertise as a licensed property and casualty agent in Massachusetts to help readers understand the complexities of insurance shopping.
At Insurify, our goal is to help customers compare insurance products and find the best policy for them. We strive to provide open, honest, and unbiased information about the insurance products and services we review. Our hard-working team of data analysts, insurance experts, insurance agents, editors and writers, has put in thousands of hours of research to create the content found on our site.
We do receive compensation when a sale or referral occurs from many of the insurance providers and marketing partners on our site. That may impact which products we display and where they appear on our site. But it does not influence our meticulously researched editorial content, what we write about, or any reviews or recommendations we may make. We do not guarantee favorable reviews or any coverage at all in exchange for compensation.
