For drivers in Rosemount, Eagan, Apple Valley, and the South Metro heading out this summer

Summer is here, and if you’re like a lot of Minnesota families, that means road trips, weekend getaways, and maybe a flight somewhere warm with a rental car waiting at the other end. But before you pull out of the lot, it’s worth knowing exactly what your auto insurance actually covers — and where you might be left exposed.

The short answer: it depends

Your personal auto insurance policy often extends to rental cars — but not always, and not always completely. Here’s what typically carries over:

• Liability coverage usually transfers to a rental, meaning if you cause an accident, your policy helps cover damage to the other driver and their vehicle
• Collision and comprehensive also typically extend to rentals if you carry them on your own policy — so if you’re liability-only back home in Rosemount, you won’t have collision or comp coverage on that rental in Chicago or Denver either

The key word throughout all of this is typically. Every policy is different, and the details matter.

What your policy probably won’t cover

Even if your auto insurance extends to a rental, there are common gaps that catch people off guard:

Loss of Damage Waiver (LDW) costs — Rental companies charge a daily fee for what they call a “loss damage waiver.” Your personal policy may cover the actual damage to the car, but it usually won’t reimburse you for the LDW fee itself.

Loss of use charges — If you damage the rental and it’s out of service for repairs, the rental company can bill you for every day that car isn’t earning them money. Many personal auto policies don’t cover this.

Administrative fees — Rental companies often tack on fees when they file a claim. Again, not always covered by your personal policy.

Business travel — Using a rental for work purposes? Your personal auto policy likely excludes that entirely.

What about credit cards?

Many travel credit cards offer rental car coverage as a perk — but read the fine print carefully. Most card coverage is secondary, meaning it only kicks in after your personal auto insurance pays first. Coverage limits, excluded vehicle types (large SUVs, luxury cars, trucks), and international restrictions vary widely by card.

If you’re relying on your credit card as a backup, call the number on the back before your trip and confirm exactly what’s covered for your specific rental.

So should you buy the rental company’s coverage?

Not necessarily — but it’s not always a bad idea either. Here’s a quick way to decide:

• Skip it if you carry full coverage on your personal policy and your credit card offers solid secondary coverage
• Consider it if you’re liability-only, traveling internationally, renting a larger or specialty vehicle, or simply want zero hassle if something goes wrong
• Buy it if you’re on a business trip, your personal policy excludes rentals, or you just want complete peace of mind on vacation

The rental counter is not the place to figure this out. Make the call before you leave.

Heading out this summer from the Twin Cities?

Before your next trip, take five minutes to call your Rosemount insurance agent and ask two simple questions: Does my policy extend to rental cars? And are there any gaps I should know about? At Sentinel Assurance Group, we’re happy to walk through your coverage so you can hit the road — or the airport — with confidence.

Serving drivers in Rosemount, Eagan, Apple Valley, Lakeville, Farmington, and the greater South Metro area.

What Does “Liability Only” vs. “Full Coverage” Actually Mean?

For drivers in Rosemount, Eagan, Apple Valley, and the surrounding Twin Cities area

If you’ve ever shopped for car insurance in Rosemount or the Twin Cities metro, you’ve probably heard the terms “liability only” and “full coverage” — but what do they actually mean for you and your wallet? Let’s break it down in plain English.

Liability only: the basics

Liability insurance covers damage or injuries you cause to other people in an accident. That means if you rear-end someone on Highway 3 or Cedar Avenue, your liability coverage helps pay for their car repairs and any medical bills — but it doesn’t pay a single dollar toward your own vehicle or your own injuries.

In Minnesota, liability coverage is legally required to drive. The state sets minimum limits, but many drivers in our area choose higher limits for better protection.

What liability doesn’t cover:

• Repairs to your own car after an at-fault accident
• Theft of your vehicle
• Damage from weather, fire, or hitting an animal
• Your own medical expenses

Full coverage: what’s actually included

“Full coverage” isn’t an official insurance term — it’s shorthand for a policy that combines liability with two additional coverages:

Collision pays to repair or replace your car after an accident, regardless of who’s at fault. Hit a guardrail on 42? Backed into something in a parking lot? Collision has you covered.

Comprehensive covers the stuff that isn’t a collision — theft, vandalism, hail, flood, fire, and yes, the deer that ran out on County Road 38. Minnesota drivers know comprehensive coverage earns its keep every single winter.

Together, collision and comprehensive protect your vehicle. Liability protects everyone else.

Full Coverage Add-ons worth knowing about

Here’s where a lot of drivers leave money — or protection — on the table. Beyond the core coverages above, there are several optional add-ons that can make a real difference in your day-to-day experience as a driver:

Glass coverage A cracked or chipped windshield is one of the most common auto insurance claims in Minnesota — gravel roads, temperature swings, and highway debris all take their toll. Depending on your policy, glass coverage may come bundled with comprehensive or be available as a separate endorsement. Some policies even cover glass with no deductible, meaning a windshield replacement costs you nothing out of pocket. If you drive regularly on Highway 3, County Road 42, or any gravel roads around the Rosemount area, this one is worth asking about.

Rental reimbursement If your car is in the shop after a covered claim, rental reimbursement coverage pays for a rental car while yours is being repaired. Without it, you’re paying out of pocket — and repairs can take days or even weeks depending on parts availability and shop backlogs. Coverage limits vary (typically a daily cap and a total cap per claim), so it’s worth understanding what your policy actually covers before you need it.

Roadside assistance Flat tire on the way to work. Dead battery in a parking lot. Run out of gas on 35W. Roadside assistance coverage adds towing, jump starts, lockout service, and fuel delivery for a small addition to your premium. If you don’t already have it through a membership like AAA, adding it to your auto policy is usually one of the most affordable ways to get that peace of mind — especially heading into a Minnesota winter.

So which one do you need?

Here’s a simple way to think about it:

Liability only may make sense if:

• Your car is older and has low market value
• You could comfortably pay out of pocket to replace it
• You’re looking for affordable car insurance in Rosemount or the surrounding area

Full coverage may make sense if:

• You have a newer or financed vehicle (lenders often require it)
• You couldn’t easily replace your car without insurance proceeds
• You want full protection from Minnesota winters, hail season, and everything in between

One thing most people overlook

Even “full coverage” has gaps. It typically doesn’t include roadside assistance, rental reimbursement, or coverage for custom parts. If those things matter to you, they’re usually easy add-ons — just ask your local insurance agent.

Looking for auto insurance in Rosemount, MN?

At Sentinel Assurance Group, we help drivers across Rosemount, Eagan, Apple Valley, Lakeville, Farmington and beyond find auto coverage that actually fits their needs — not just the cheapest option that checks a box. Give us a call or send us a message and we’ll take a look at your current coverages and provide you a free quote.