Should you buy rental car insurance?

The answer's almost always yes. But it's especially important to have rental car insurance coverage if you're traveling to any of these international destinations, which are known for dangerous road conditions.

India: You probably shouldn't drive in India. But if you do, you need to buy rental car insurance. According to the World Health Organization's recent report(1) on global road safety, India had an astounding 134,000 traffic deaths in 2010. Many accidents are caused by drunk driving, exacerbated by low use of seatbelts and helmets.

Russia: In 2010, Russia had 26,500 traffic deaths, with many attributed to poor road conditions and lax police enforcement(2). This video about driving in Russia shows clips of wrong-way drivers, flying debris, high-speed collisions and a horse using the crosswalk.

Turkey: "The cardinal rules of safety to survive Turkish driving are: drive very defensively, avoid driving at night, and never let emotions affect what you do." That's the advice the U.S. State Department gives in its Driver Safety Briefing for Turkey(3). Drivers frequently stop unexpectedly, flash their lights for no reason and drive in the middle of the road. Don't get behind the wheel without Allianz Global Assistance rental car insurance coverage.

Brazil: Brazil tops South American countries for annual traffic fatalities: 43,800 each year, according to WHO.(4) According to the State Department, "poor driving skills, bad roads, and a high density of trucks combine to make travel via roads considerably more hazardous than in the United States."(5)

Dominican Republic: In 2013 WHO named the Dominican Republic the world's most dangerous country for drivers.(6) The roads, many say, are pandemonium; drivers flagrantly flout traffic laws, and gas stations sell beer to drivers. For tourists who plan to drive, rental car insurance coverage is a must.

United States: The U.S. has a well-maintained road network and strict traffic laws -- yet it still ranked sixth globally for the number of reported road deaths in 2010.(7) The United States reported 33,561 traffic deaths in 2012, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.(8)

Whether you're planning to rent a car in the U.S. or overseas, make sure you're protected with Allianz Global Assistance rental car insurance coverage*. It's important to note that rental car insurance from Allianz Global Assistance covers loss and damage. For a plan that includes emergency medical care, you need Allianz travel insurance.

Still not sure if you need rental car insurance? Read more of our rental car insurance articles so that you can make an informed decision as to whether or not you should purchase Rental Car Damage Protector from Allianz Global Assistance before heading out on vacation.