All cars on the road are to be insured thats the law. Even if you don't buy the insurance the car has to be insured by the rental company or the car couldn't be on the road. If you rent from a small fly by night company they will try to take you for all they can on your card. If you rent from a reputable company such as Budget and Avis (from personal experience) handle accidents very professionally and didn't try to over charge me. My card was charged for the damage to vehicle and I submitted a claim to my credit card (visa), master card no longer covers rentals so i am told. Your card is charged and after Visa did their investigation copies of (accident report, drivers accident report,written estimate and copy of all repairs and pictures) they will mail you a check, process can take 2-3 months of back and forth emails and phone calls
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