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Quick answer: In most cases, yes. If your Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance auto policy includes both Other Than Collision and Collision coverage, your policy provides coverage for a rental car — including liability and physical damage coverage. Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance also includes Transportation Expenses Coverage at $20/day for up to 30 days on the base policy, with higher limits available.
You're standing at a rental car counter. The rental representative slides a clipboard across and asks if you want to add insurance. It's $25 a day. Your flight was delayed, the line behind you is long, and you have no idea whether your own policy already covers this.
For most Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance policyholders, the answer is: you're likely already covered. Here's how it works: what often applies, what doesn't and situations where extra coverage might be worth considering.
When you rent a vehicle in the U.S., the coverage on your Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance personal auto policy may apply to the rental, as long as you or a family member residing in your household is the driver, and your name is listed on the rental agreement.
Here's what typically applies:
Your Policy Coverage | What It Covers on a Rental | Applicable coverage |
Liability | Damage or injuries you cause to others while driving the rental | ✓ Yes |
Collision | Damage to the rental car from an accident | ✓ Yes |
Other Than Collision (Comprehensive) | Theft, vandalism, hail, animal strikes to the rental car | ✓ Yes |
Medical Payments | Medical expenses for you and passengers after an accident | ✓ Yes |
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist | Protection if the at-fault driver has no/insufficient insurance | ✓ Yes |
Transportation Expenses | Pays for a rental car while your own vehicle is being repaired after a covered loss | ✓ Included |
An important requirement: Remember, you must have Other Than Collision and Collision coverage on your policy for the physical damage protections to apply to a rental. If you carry liability only, your liability coverage applies, but you won't have coverage for damage to the rental car itself.
Every Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance auto policy that includes both Collision and Other Than Collision coverage comes with Transportation Expenses Coverage included at no additional cost. This covers the cost of a rental car when your own vehicle is being repaired after a covered loss.
Here's what's available:
Coverage Level | Daily Limit | Max Duration | Notes |
Base (included) | $20/day | 30 days | No extra cost — already on your policy |
Endorsement upgrade | $45/day | 30 days | Available via endorsement |
Endorsement upgrade | $55/day | 30 days | Available via endorsement |
Endorsement upgrade | $65/day | 30 days | Available via endorsement |
Endorsement upgrade | $75/day | 30 days | Available via endorsement |
Endorsement upgrade | $100/day | 30 days | Available via endorsement |
Valet Endorsement | $41/day min | 30 days | Includes loss of use coverage (see below) |
At $20/day, the base coverage may handle economy and compact rentals in many Indiana markets. If you regularly rent mid-size or full-size vehicles, or if you live in an area where rental rates are higher, upgrading to a higher daily limit through an endorsement can help save you from paying the difference out of pocket.
You're in a covered accident and your vehicle needs body work. While it's being repaired, your Transportation Expenses Coverage may apply and could cover the cost of a rental (up to your daily limit for up to 30 days). The coverage on your personal auto policy, liability, collision, Other Than Collision, also may apply to the rental car while you're driving it.
You fly into a destination in the U.S. and rent a car at the airport. The coverage on your Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance auto policy may apply to the rental, as long as you (the named insured) or a family member in your household is driving and is listed on the rental agreement. This means you may not need to buy the additional insurance the rental counter tries to sell you.
There are a few important exceptions to know about before you decline additional coverage at the counter:
Liability-only policy: If you don't carry Collision and Other Than Collision coverage on your own vehicle, those protections won't apply to the rental. Your liability coverage still applies, but you'd be responsible for damage to the rental car itself.
Business use: If your personal auto policy doesn't include business use and you're renting for a work trip, you may not be covered. Check with your agent before your trip.
International travel: Many personal auto policies, including Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance's, often do not extend coverage to vehicles rented outside the U.S. If you're renting a car abroad, purchasing the rental agency's coverage (or a travel insurance policy with rental car protection) is worth considering.
Specialty vehicles: Renting a moving truck, U-Haul, RV, or exotic/luxury car? These may not be covered under your personal auto policy. Your policy typically covers vehicles similar in type to what's on your policy.
"Loss of use" fees: If you damage a rental car and the rental company charges a daily fee for the time the vehicle is out of service being repaired, many standard policies don't cover that fee. Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance's Valet Endorsement does provide loss of use coverage, a valuable add-on if you rent frequently.
At the counter, the rental agency will typically offer some combination of these coverages:
Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) / Loss Damage Waiver (LDW): Waives your responsibility for damage to the rental vehicle. If you already have Collision and Other Than Collision coverage, you may not need this, your policy may cover the same scenarios.
Supplemental Liability Insurance: Adds extra liability coverage beyond the minimum included in the rental agreement. If your personal auto liability limits are already sufficient, this is often unnecessary.
Personal Accident Insurance: Covers medical expenses for you and your passengers. If your auto policy includes Medical Payments coverage, you're likely already covered.
Personal Effects Coverage: Covers theft of your belongings from the rental car. Your homeowners or renters insurance policy may already cover this.
Typically, a rental agency option worth considering is the CDW/LDW if your policy doesn't cover loss of use fees. If you damage the rental and the rental company charges $50/day while it's being repaired, that cost can add up fast. Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance's Valet Endorsement can help cover this, but if you don't have it, the rental company's waiver might be worth the daily charge.
Many credit cards offer rental car protection if you use the card to pay for the rental. This is typically secondary coverage, meaning it may apply after your personal auto policy pays. It can potentially help cover your deductible or fill small gaps.
Before relying on credit card coverage alone, check the specifics: coverage limits, what's excluded (SUVs, trucks, international rentals), and whether you need to decline the rental company's insurance to activate the benefit. Credit card coverage can be a nice backup, but it's not a substitute for ensuring your auto insurance policy provides appropriate coverage.
Body shops face parts shortages, staff constraints, and longer repair timelines for vehicles with advanced technology. It's possible to run out of your 30 days of rental coverage before your car is ready. Here are a few ways to help stretch your coverage:
Wait to pick up the rental until you drop off your car. Don't start the rental clock while your car is still sitting in your driveway waiting for a body shop appointment.
Ask family or friends for a temporary ride. Carpooling or borrowing a car for a few days can help save rental days for when you really need them.
Talk to your body shop about timing. Ask them to confirm all parts are in before you drop off your vehicle, so the repair can start right away without your car sitting idle.
Assess your driving needs. If you can work from home or reduce errands for part of the repair period, you may not need the rental every single day.
These aren't always realistic options, but even saving a few days can make the difference between staying within your coverage and paying out of pocket.
Want to check your rental car coverage?
Review your policy online to see what's included, or contact your local agent to discuss increasing your Transportation Expenses limits or adding the Valet Endorsement.
In most cases, yes. If your Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance personal auto policy includes both Collision and Other Than Collision coverage, those protections may apply to a rental car driven by you or a family member in your household within the U.S. Liability coverage generally applies regardless of whether you have physical damage coverage.
Rental car insurance is coverage sold by the rental agency at the counter. Rental car reimbursement (called Transportation Expenses Coverage at Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance) is a feature of your personal auto policy that may pay for a rental car while your own vehicle is being repaired after a covered loss. They're different products that serve different purposes, though the terms are often used interchangeably.
Yes, but you'll need to purchase the insurance coverage offered by the rental agency to be protected. Without your own auto insurance policy, you won't have liability, collision, or comprehensive coverage protecting the rental vehicle.
Your personal auto policy may not cover a rental car if you carry liability-only coverage (no collision or comprehensive to transfer), if you're renting for business use not covered by your policy, if you're renting outside the U.S., or if you're renting a specialty vehicle like a moving truck or RV. Loss of use fees charged by the rental company are also typically not covered by most standard policies.
Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance's Transportation Expenses Coverage maxes out at 30 days. After that, you're responsible for any additional rental costs. To help maximize your coverage days, wait to pick up the rental until your car is actually at the body shop, and coordinate with the shop to ensure parts are in before you drop off your vehicle.
Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance's Valet Endorsement increases the minimum rental coverage to $41/day and adds loss of use coverage, protection against fees the rental company may charge if the vehicle is out of service due to damage you caused. This is a valuable add-on for frequent renters.
Many credit cards offer secondary rental car coverage when you use the card to pay for the rental. This typically applies after your personal auto insurance and can help cover your deductible or small gaps. Check your card's specific terms; coverage varies by issuer and card tier, and some exclude certain vehicle types or international rentals.
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