To prepare for your vacation, you may be in the process of planning and budgeting. Most people spend lots of time looking for ways to maximize their budget, but one costly decision is often left to the last minute—whether to buy the optional car insurance offered by a rental car company.

“Deciding whether to buy ‘damage waivers’ or insurance at the rental car counter can be a confusing experience—especially if you don’t know if you’re already covered by your personal car insurance policy,” said Rick Crawley of the Progressive Group of Insurance Companies. “Optional rental car insurance can cost between $7 and $25 per day, depending on the rental car company, vehicle make and model and type of waiver. Those daily charges can significantly add to the cost of your rental.”

Follow these three tips, courtesy of Community Brokerage, to help you decide whether you should buy the coverage:

Consult with an independent state or California auto insurance agency – like Community Brokerage. As licensed insurance professionals, independent state or California auto insurance agents and brokers can review and evaluate your policies to find out if your personal auto insurance coverage provides protection for you in a rental car.

Check with your credit card company. Some credit card companies provide coverage at no charge if you use their card to charge the cost of the rental. However, there may be restrictions you're not aware of, so ask your credit card company for a description of the exact coverages provided.

Take your personal car insurance policy and detailed coverage with you to the rental car counter. Your rental car agent may have questions that these papers can answer. If you’re not sure, you’ll have your state or California auto insurance agent’s name and phone number handy. “We want people to have the information they need to make more informed decisions about car insurance,” said Crawley.

“Knowing whether you need to buy additional coverage can save you money and give you peace of mind so you can enjoy your vacation. Don’t start off your trip questioning your decisions—take control by talking with your independent agent or broker and knowing the answers to those inevitable questions.”

To learn more about what a state or California auto insurance independent agency can offer you, contact Community Brokerage, or visit www.Direct Choice Insurance .com