10 Best Companies for Cheap Rental Car Insurance in 2026

Geico, USAA, and Progressive are the best companies for cheap rental car insurance. Geico is out top pick because of its competitive rates.

We’ll go over how to find the best car insurance companies for rental cars, the various rental car insurance coverage types, and the providers with the cheapest car rental insurance.

Our Top 10 Picks: Best Companies for Cheap Rental Car Insurance

Enter your ZIP code into our free car insurance comparison tool to compare personalized quotes to the rates you are currently getting.

#1 – Geico: Top Overall Pick

Pros

• Affordable Rates: Geico offers competitive rates often below the national average, even for drivers with a history of speeding tickets or accidents. Learn more about Geico’s rates in our Geico auto insurance company review. 
• Excellent Customer Service: Many policyholders report positive experiences with Geico’s customer service.
• Advanced Digital Tools: Geico provides user-friendly digital tools for managing your policy, including a robust website and a mobile app.

Cons

• Claims Handling Issues: Despite positive feedback, many customers report challenges with Geico’s claims process.
• No Gap Insurance: Geico does not provide gap insurance.

#2 – USAA: Best for Comprehensive Coverage

Pros

• Affordable Rates: USAA offers some of the lowest premiums in the industry, especially for military families. Find out why USAA ranks among the cheapest providers in our USAA auto insurance review. 
• Top Customer Satisfaction: Consistently ranks first in customer service, claims handling, and loyalty.
• Excellent Mobile App: USAA’s mobile app is highly rated and provides convenient access to policy management, claims, and other services.

Cons

• Limited Membership Eligibility: USAA is restricted to military personnel, veterans, and their families.
• Must Join Before Quote: To get a quote, you must become a member.

#3 – Progressive: Best for Customer Satisfaction

Pros

• Variety of Coverage Options: Progressive provides a wide range of coverage options, including specialized and non-standard policies. Learn more about coverage options and monthly rates in our Progressive auto insurance company review.
• Vanishing Deductible Feature: They offer a program that reduces your deductible for each policy period you remain accident-free.
• Usage-Based Discounts: Progressive offers discounts through its Snapshot program.

Cons

• Mixed Customer Service Ratings: Progressive has received average customer service ratings.
• Snapshot Program Can Increase Rates: The usage-based Snapshot program may lead to higher premiums for some drivers if their driving behavior is risky.

#4 – Erie: Best for Broad Coverage

Pros

• Comprehensive Coverage Perks: Erie offers additional benefits like glass repair with no deductible, locksmith service, and personal items coverage. Dive into our in-depth Erie auto insurance review to find the best policy for your needs.
• High J.D. Power Ranking: Erie consistently ranks highly in J.D. Power’s auto insurance shopping and claims satisfaction surveys.
• Numerous Discounts Available: Erie provides a wide range of discounts. 

Cons

• Average Complaint Volume: Erie receives a typical number of complaints to state regulators for a company of its size.
• Limited Discount Options: Erie offers fewer discounts than other car insurance providers.

#5 – Nationwide: Best for Military Support

Pros

• Low Complaint Rate: Fewer than expected complaints to state regulators for auto insurance.
• Comprehensive Coverage Options: Offers a wide variety of options.
• Competitive Rates: Excellent rates for drivers with speeding tickets and those with poor credit. Find out if Nationwide might have the lowest rates for you in our Nationwide auto insurance review.

Cons

• High DUI Rates: Fourth-highest sample costs for drivers with a DUI on their record.
• Below-Average Satisfaction: Customer satisfaction for auto insurance is lower than average, according to recent J.D. Power studies.

#6 – Farmers: Best for High Ratings

Pros

• Many Discounts Available: Farmers offers various discounts. Take a look at our Farmers insurance company review to learn more.
• Diverse Coverage Options: This company provides a broad selection of coverage options and add-ons.
• Low Complaint Rate: Fewer complaints than expected for a company of its size.

Cons

• High Premiums in Some States: Farmers’ auto insurance rates can be significantly higher than average in certain regions.
• Slow Roadside Assistance: Some customers have reported delays and inefficiencies with Farmers’ roadside assistance services.

#7 – Travelers: Best for Reliable Coverage

Pros

• Extensive Coverage Options: Travelers provides a wide range of auto insurance coverages.
• Accident Forgiveness: This feature prevents premium increases after the first accident.
• New Car Replacement: Travelers offers new car replacement insurance. For more information, read our Travelers company review.

Cons

• Low Customer Satisfaction: Travelers’ customer satisfaction ratings are below average.
• Limited Discounts by Location: The availability and value of discounts may vary significantly based on your location.

#8 – Liberty Mutual: Best for Personalized Service

Pros

• Variety of Coverage Options: Liberty Mutual offers a wide range of auto policies and add-on coverage. You can learn more about Liberty Mutual’s insurance options in our complete guide: Liberty Mutual Auto Insurance Review.
• Numerous Discounts Available: Especially beneficial for young drivers, Liberty Mutual provides many discount opportunities.
• Valet Claims Service: Policyholders with rental reimbursement coverage can enjoy the convenience of Liberty Mutual’s valet claims service.

Cons

• Higher-than-Average Premiums: Liberty Mutual’s auto insurance premiums can be more expensive than those of other providers, especially for high-risk drivers.
• Below-Average Customer Satisfaction: In customer surveys and reviews, Liberty Mutual often receives lower ratings for trustworthiness, customer support, and overall value.

#9 – Allstate: Best for Strong Reputation

Pros

• Extensive Coverage Options: Allstate offers a variety of coverage options, including a safe-driving bonus every six months, accident forgiveness, and new car replacement.
• User-Friendly Technology: The plug-in device for their telematics program is simple to use and install.
• Easy Policy Setup: Allstate receives high marks for the ease of opening a new policy.

Cons

• Below-Average Customer Ratings: Allstate’s customer ratings for auto insurance shopping satisfaction are lower than many competitors.
• High Costs for High Mileage: Allstate can be expensive for high-mileage drivers. ind more information about Allstate’s rates in our review of Allstate insurance.

#10 – State Farm: Best for Flexible Policies

Pros

• Extensive Coverage Options: State Farm offers a wide range of coverage choices, including rental car expenses and travel-related coverage options.
• High Customer Satisfaction: When it comes to customer satisfaction with auto insurance, State Farm routinely scores highly. Wondering about their level of customer service? Find out in our State Farm Company.
• Attractive Discounts: State Farm provides appealing discount opportunities, particularly for students and teenage drivers.

Cons

• Higher Premiums: State Farm’s sample premiums for adult drivers are higher than the industry average.
• No Gap Insurance: State Farm does not offer gap insurance.

Cost of Auto Insurance for Rental Cars

Currently, rental car companies are charging around $230 to $575 for a weekly rental of an economy-size car. Supplemental insurance costs can easily add extra fees ranging from $6 to $60 per day. Check out the table below to see the average cost for coverage from the best car rental insurance companies:

Rental Auto Insurance Daily Rates by Rental Company

Of course, if you have a personal auto insurance policy from the best rental car insurance companies, your coverage extends to rental vehicles. See a list of the best car rental insurance companies and the coverages offered:

Rental Car Insurance Monthly Rates by Coverage Level & Provider

Always compare rates and coverage options to find cheap auto insurance for rental cars.

Types of Car Rental Insurance Coverage

Although auto rental insurance policies vary among insurance providers and according to individual auto insurance state laws, certain types of coverage are required by the majority of states. These mandatory areas of coverage include:

Collision Damage Waiver 

Collision damage waivers (CDW), or loss damage waiver, will protect you by covering the costs of any damage to your auto in a collision. It will also cover any harm caused to your car in case of theft or vandalism.

Read more: Does auto insurance cover theft?

A CDW is actually relatively inexpensive, costing approximately $9 to $30 per day.

This type of protection also covers any vehicle downtime — that is, the actual time a damaged vehicle cannot be rented out while it’s in the repair shop.

So, a CDW transfers liability for collision damages from the vehicle renter to the auto rental company itself.

Supplemental Liability Auto Insurance

Supplemental liability auto insurance (SLI), offering coverage for as much as $1 million, can cost from $13 to $19 per day for a rental car if the renter does not have a car owner policy to cover rental car liability. In essence, a supplemental liability auto insurance is an umbrella policy.

Another option is to obtain non-owner rental car insurance through an agent or broker. This non-owner auto insurance coverage comes at a very reasonable rate — often as little as $200 to $525 per year.

Personal Accident Protection

This will cover ambulance and medical costs for both the rental car driver and passengers when they are involved in a road accident. The charge for this feature is around $6 to $13 a day.

However, your health insurance and the personal injury protection (PIP) auto insurance under your car owner’s insurance policy already covers this area.

Personal Effects Insurance

Personal Effects Insurance reimburses for theft of items from your rental car, such as laptop computers, cellular phones, or sports equipment. This type of coverage will cost approximately $6 to $13 per day.

Together, liability and personal injury insurance will cover any damage or injury you may cause to another driver, car, or to property while you are behind the wheel of your moving vehicle.

Read more: Does auto insurance cover private property?

Best Companies for Rental Car Auto Insurance

You can get various types of auto insurance for your rental car, whether it’s from the rental car company, a third party, or your insurance company. We’ll overview the best car rental insurance in the USA from the best auto insurance companies for rental vehicles.

Car Rental Company Auto Insurance

Generally, you can always buy rental car insurance from the same company you get your rental vehicle with. Some of the best car rental companies with auto insurance include:

• Avis
• Hertz
• Enterprise
• Alamo
• Budget

All of these top car rental companies offer rental auto insurance coverages such as a collision damage waiver, liability insurance, personal effects coverage, and personal accident insurance.

Third-Party Rental Car Insurance

You can also get a policy from the best third-party car rental insurance companies to cover medical expenses and property damage for others. Some of the best third-party car rental insurance companies include:

• Sure
• Allianz
• Bonzah
• Rental Cover

Always compare costs and coverages from various companies to find the best third-party rental car insurance for you. Read more: How to Find Auto Insurance Quotes Fast

Auto Insurance Company Rental Car Insurance

So, does auto insurance cover rental cars? Many reputable auto insurance companies offer both personal car insurance and rental car insurance. Some of the best rental car insurance companies for drivers who need to add rental coverage to their policies are are Geico, Allstate, Travelers, Progressive, Esurance, and AARP.

American Express credit card services also offers rental car insurance, along with many Visa and Mastercard credit cards issued by banks and financial services.

Rental car insurance may not be necessary to buy if you already have it in your current plan from your current company. In addition, check with the credit card company that you used to rent the vehicle. Many credit card users either forget or are not aware that they’re insured to some extent under their credit card agreements whenever they use their cards to obtain rental cars.

Know Your Current Coverage Before Getting Rental Car Insurance

Before deciding on the type and amount of rental car insurance you’ll purchase for your next trip, consider the coverage you currently have if you’re covered by a car owner’s policy.

Then, you’ll know whether to supplement your policy with additional coverage from the best car rental insurance companies.

Learn More: Best Rental Car Insurance That Covers Additional Drivers

Also, find out the extent of insurance provided by the credit card you’re using to rent a car and look at the coverage options offered by the rental car company.

How to Buy the Cheapest Car Rental Insurance Policy Online

Finally, consider the option of purchasing your own rental car policy, if you’re a frequent auto renter. Whether you get a policy from the best third-party car rental insurance company or already have coverage through your personal insurance, it’s important to cover your rental vehicle.

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You need the best possible rental car auto insurance coverage at an affordable cost. So, it’s important to know to get multiple auto insurance quotes to find the cheapest car rental insurance before your road trip. Enter your ZIP code into our free auto insurance comparison tool to find the best rental car insurance choices for you.