Last Updated on March 18, 2025 by Kristin
Renting a car? You have likely considered options for making sure the vehicle is covered for any damages in the event of an accident. But what about any injuries to other people and their property?
The collision damage waiver (CDW) from the rental car company covers any damages to the vehicle. But it does not extend to injuries or property damage for other parties. That is where liability coverage comes in. In most states, your rental reservation will include enough liability coverage to meet the state’s legal minimum. But if you do not already have a personal auto policy, it might be wise to purchase additional liability coverage to make sure that all potential expenses would be covered in an accident.
After reading the fine print and weighing your options, you may decide to increase your liability coverage with supplemental liability insurance (SLI) or supplemental liability protection (SLP).
Rental car companies offer SLI as an optional add-on, which can vary by location and brand. For example, Enterprise offers SLP for between $8 and $17 per day. However, a third-party option called RentalCover may offer cheaper rates than the rental car company for the amount of coverage you are getting. Here’s how it works.
The Lowdown on Using RentalCover for SLI
To get the best deal on a car rental, it’s important to understand how insurance works. It pays to check out additional coverage options before arriving at the counter to pick up your vehicle.
Before you accept the rental car company’s supplemental liability insurance (SLI), check out RentalCover to see if it is a cheaper option.
RentalCover’s prices for SLI vary depending on the state, which can vary from about $18 to $24 per day. The coverage includes up to $1 million in protection for third-party injuries and damages. Additional drivers are also covered. While RentalCover offers services across the US and many other countries, it does not offer SLI for rentals that begin in New York.
How Does Coverage Compare to Rental Car Companies’ SLI Policies?
If you compare prices, you may see that rental car companies offer lower rates for SLI coverage. However, keep in mind that rental car companies’ SLI policies typically extend liability coverage to $300,000 or $500,000, well below RentalCover’s $1 million limit.
When Do You Need to Purchase SLI?
If you’re wondering whether you need to purchase SLI, it’s important to take a look at what kind of policy you already own and your financial situation. Experts usually recommend having enough liability insurance to cover your net worth.
If you already have a car at home and own a personal auto insurance policy, you likely already have sufficient liability coverage to meet or exceed state minimums. If you don’t own a car, the rental company would provide liability insurance automatically in most states (with the big exception being California). In either case, you may decide to purchase supplemental liability insurance (SLI) for peace of mind or to avoid risking a claim with your personal auto insurance company in case of an accident.
SLI is not mandatory in the US. But it does provide more coverage for damages to third parties in an accident. If you do decide to purchase SLI, consider not only the daily price of each option but also how much coverage it includes. Before agreeing to the rental car company’s SLI, consider RentalCover to make sure you’re getting the best deal.
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