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Overview

This summary describes various issues involving rental car insurance and your personal auto insurance coverage while using a rental vehicle for Reliant ministry in the U.S.

Collision Damage Waiver (CDW)

This is protection on the rental car itself for any physical damage done to your rental car as a result of an accident, cracked windshield, getting hit by another car while parked, etc.


What if the Reliant Missionary Member declines CDW rental coverage?

If a Reliant Missionary Member rents a car to conduct Reliant ministry and declines the rental car company’s Collision (or Loss) Damage Waiver insurances (CDW, LDW, etc.) and gets into an accident with the rental car, then:

    • The Missionary Member’s personal auto insurance and its limits would be primary.

    • If you do not want this to happen, accept the rental car company’s CDW insurance.

Supplemental Liability Insurance (SLI)

 This is protection for the driver of the rental car. It covers any damage done to another vehicle as a result of getting into an accident in which the driver of the rental car is liable. The coverage pays for any damage done to either the other party’s vehicle or property.

What if the Reliant Missionary Member declines SLI rental coverage?

If a Reliant Missionary Member rents a car to conduct Reliant ministry and declines the rental car company’s SLI coverage and gets into an accident with the rental car, then:

    • The Missionary Member’s personal auto insurance and its limits would be primary.
    • Reliant’s corporate insurance liability limits would be secondary for any damage done to the other vehicle or to property. (Secondary insurance “kicks in” after the primary insurance limits have first been exhausted.)
    • If you do not want your personal auto insurance to be primary, then accept the rental car company’s Supplemental Liability Insurance (SLI).

Accepting both CDW and SLI coverage

If a Reliant Missionary Member accepts both the CDW and SLI rental car insurance coverage offered by the car rental company, then:

• The rental car company coverage becomes primary for both damage to the rental car and for any damage done to the other vehicle or property.
• The Missionary Member’s personal auto insurance and its limits would be secondary.
• Reliant’s corporate rental car insurance and its limits would be third for SLI.

Accepting either the CDW or SLI coverage, but not both

It is possible to only accept only one of the coverages offered by the rental car company. In this case, the specific rental car coverage accepted would be primary. The specific rental car coverage declined would follow the scenario listed above in sections Collision Damage Waiver or Supplemental Liability Insurance.


Recommendation

When renting a car for Reliant ministry business, Reliant strongly recommends that a Reliant Missionary obtain both CDW and SLI coverage from the rental car company. See also Car Accident Procedures.

Requirement

Reliant Missionaries who drive for ministry-related work must carry minimum bodily injury liability coverage of $50,000/$100,000 on their personal auto insurance policy.

Recommendation

Even though the required limits are $50,000/$100,000, Reliant strongly encourages each Reliant Missionary :

  • Carry collision damage coverage to cover any damages to their personal vehicle.
  • Carry $100,000/$300,000 in liability coverage on their personal auto insurance policy.
  • Consider carrying a $1,000,000 (or more) Personal Umbrella Policy

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1 Comment

  1. user-2ce9f these are good things that I think we should link to for reimbursements as an FYI.