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Rental Car Insurance

Driving a rental car with a UC contract

The University does not provide insurance coverage for rented vehicles but it does have system-wide agreements with Enterprise, Hertz, and National. When you rent a car from one of these companies under the University agreement and pay the University rate, insurance coverage is included. To guarantee that you get the University rate (and the insurance coverage) follow the rental car reservation directions here.

Primary insurance: The rental car company.

If the vehicle is damaged: Coverage is by the rental car company.

If you are injured: UC's Workers' Compensation Program covers injuries incurred in the course & scope of employment. Call 1-877-682-7778 to report a Workers’ Comp injury.

If someone else's vehicle or property is damaged: Coverage is by the rental car company.

If someone else is injured: Coverage is by the rental car company.

RESTRICTIONS:

(1) When you reserve the car, notify the reservations agent that you are a UC employee and give the agent the UC Corporate Discount Number. The rate that you are charged includes auto insurance. You must decline the Loss Damage Waiver (LDW) and Supplemental Liability Insurance (SLI) because this coverage is included in the UC Corporate rate. If you do not do this you are responsible for the additional cost of the insurance coverage.

(2) When you pick up the rental car make sure the UC Corporate Discount Number is noted on the contract.

(3) Misuse and other violations of the terms and conditions of a contract may invalidate the rental car insurance and make the department and/or employee responsible for damages to the vehicle and/or third parties.

Driving a rental car without a UC contract

Unless you purchase LDW and SLI from the rental car company, you are not insured when you drive a rental vehicle from a company without a UC contract unless your personal auto insurance policy provides the coverage. If you cannot obtain a car from a company with whom UC has an agreement, or if you are outside the continental U.S. (in a foreign country, Alaska, or Hawaii), we highly recommend that you purchase LDW and SLI from the rental car company.

Primary insurance: None unless you purchase insurance from the rental car company or use a credit card that provides coverage.

If the vehicle is damaged: Coverage is by you unless you purchase LDW from the rental car company or use a credit card that provides coverage.

If you are injured: UC's Workers' Compensation Program covers injuries incurred in the course and scope of employment. Call 1-877-682-7778 to report a Workers’ Comp injury.

If someone else's vehicle or property is damaged: Coverage is by you, unless you purchase SLI from the rental car company or use a credit card that provides coverage.

If someone else is injured: Coverage is by you, unless you purchase Supplemental Liability Insurance (SLI) from the rental car company or use a credit card that provides coverage.

 

Questions? Contact riskservices@ucmerced.edu​