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Should I pay for insurance on a rental car?
CROSSROAD NEWS — Most personal auto insurance policies have coverage that will transfer to the rental car, so technically, you’re covered while driving the rental. The choice is whether you want to use the rental company coverage for their car so you don’t have to use your own policy.
By Crossroad News
(BPT) – Maybe you’re signing the paperwork for a rental car, ready to zip up the West Coast for your end-of-summer vacation, when the agent asks if you’re also going to be adding rental insurance.
You pause. The agent starts talking about liability, and you see dollar signs piling up. You ask yourself: “Do I really need rental car insurance?”
“Whether it comes down to your personal auto coverage or purchasing coverage from the rental company is a personal choice,” says Sean Scaturro, Director of Insurance Advice and Certified Financial Planner practitioner for USAA.
The truth is there is no clear-cut answer when it comes to purchasing insurance for your rental car, so it’s easy to understand why you’re hemming and hawing.
Most personal auto insurance policies have coverage that will transfer to the rental car, so technically, you’re covered while driving the rental. The choice is whether you want to use the rental company coverage for their car so you don’t have to use your own policy.
If your insurance is covering the car, then your deductible comes with it. So if you’re liable for a fender bender while driving a rental car that causes $4,500 of damage, and your deductible is $1,000, you must fork over that amount — all for a car you don’t own.
The coverage offered by the rental car company is generally much more expensive than your personal auto policy coverage, so if you don’t get into any incidents while driving, you may have opted for an unnecessary expense.
“Knowing that your wallet is protected against something that happens when you’re in a rental car is a good feeling,” Scaturro says. “Consider if the value provided by the extra coverage is worth the expense.”
But what about credit cards covering rental car liability?
“Major credit card companies may offer rental car coverage if you use their credit card to rent the car,” Scaturro says. “It is important to understand the coverage limitations and exclusions for how coverage applies, for example, it may cover things like towing, theft or damage to the car but may have limitations on how you are covered for damage that you cause.”
In short, credit cards don’t offer liability coverage while you’re driving the rental. Some do, but most don’t.
“Relying solely on your credit card rental car coverage may not offer adequate liability protection for your financial situation,” Scaturro says.
Planning on renting a car anytime soon? Visit USAA.com/rentalcar for more information.
Sean Scaturro is the Director of Insurance Advice for USAA and a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER(TM) practitioner. With more than 15 years of experience in the financial services and insurance industry, Sean has a wealth of knowledge advising clients on risk management, asset allocation, retirement planning, portfolio construction and estate planning.
This article originally appeared in Crossroads News.
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OP-ED: The Illusion of Allyship. White Women, Your Yard Signs Mean Nothing to Me
NNPA NEWSWIRE – “The blue bracelets are something White women are wearing so others can see that they didn’t vote for Trump,” says Liberal Lisa from Oklahoma on X. Chile, bye. These bracelets are hollow symbols, empty gestures that mean nothing to me. An accessory to claim distance from Trump’s legacy is superficial comfort, while the choice to not stand with us in the voting booth is far more profound.
Political yard signs can symbolize intentions and allegiance. But this year, they’ve also symbolized betrayal. During this general election, Black women were led to believe that more White women would stand with us. Exit polls, however, told a different story. Despite overwhelming displays of support, more White women still chose to vote for the convicted felon, reality TV star, and rapist. White women answered the call but left us hanging at the polls.
A Familiar Disappointment
I live in DeKalb County, Georgia, and the abundance of Harris-Walz yard signs could’ve fooled me. But I’ve seen this before, back when Stacey Abrams ran for governor. White women showed up, put up signs, attended rallies, knocked on doors, and phone-banked. Yet, when it came time to vote, they let us down—not once but twice. I’ve been here for over 15 years, and if there’s one thing I know, it’s that political signs are symbols without weight.
In every election, I’ve talked with White women. Most aren’t the primary earners in their families and vote along party lines, aligning with the preferences of their fathers and husbands. These conversations reveal a reluctance to break from tradition, even when their votes affect women and certainly when their votes impact the lives of people who look like me.
The Illusion of Solidarity—Symbols Are Not Enough
On social media, I’m seeing White women posting pictures of blue bracelets to “prove” they didn’t vote for Trump. “The blue bracelets are something White women are wearing so others can see that they didn’t vote for Trump,” says Liberal Lisa from Oklahoma on X. Chile, bye. These bracelets are hollow symbols, empty gestures that mean nothing to me. An accessory to claim distance from Trump’s legacy is superficial comfort, while the choice to not stand with us in the voting booth is far more profound.
I’ve seen Black Lives Matter signs and black squares posted on Instagram to “prove” support for Black people, but we now know that was a lie, too. Will those same people who claimed Black lives mattered now take down their Harris-Walz signs and show their true selves?
Navigating these truths is a daily struggle for me—professionally and socially. White women often misuse their privilege, supporting us only when it’s convenient. Seeing overqualified Black women sabotaged or abandoned by White women at critical moments is a constant emotional challenge. It’s exhausting to live with this reality, especially when solidarity seems like something they pick up and discard at will.
One clever campaign ad from Harris-Walz that spoke directly to White women. “Your Vote, Your Choice” emphasized that their vote was private—independent of their household situation. Another was from Olivia Howell Dreizen, the “Vote Without Fear” campaign, which empowered women to consider the greater impact of their choices. But it seems many still couldn’t choose the roadmap to freedom—even when it was handed to them.
A Call for Action Beyond Words
White women, I want to believe you care, but actions speak louder than yard signs, bracelets, or Instagram posts. Show up in our communities, advocate in your workplaces, and stand up to dismantle the structures that uphold white supremacy. Only through real action will we know where you stand.
If you choose not to act, we see you—and we know exactly where you stand. Good luck these next four years.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of BlackPressUSA.com or the National Newspaper Publishers Association.
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Supernova Parenting Conference Empowers Over 100 Parents with Resources for Neurodivergence and Mental Health
The inaugural Supernova Parenting Conference was co-hosted by Natasha Nelson, known as Supernova Momma, and Yolanda Walker, founder of Parenting Decolonized. It brought together over 100 parents, caregivers, and educators dedicated to fostering understanding and support for neurodivergent children and mental health challenges. The conference provided invaluable resources, expert insights, and a collaborative space for […]
The inaugural Supernova Parenting Conference was co-hosted by Natasha Nelson, known as Supernova Momma, and Yolanda Walker, founder of Parenting Decolonized. It brought together over 100 parents, caregivers, and educators dedicated to fostering understanding and support for neurodivergent children and mental health challenges. The conference provided invaluable resources, expert insights, and a collaborative space for connection, marking a significant step toward creating a more inclusive parenting community.
The event featured a variety of workshops, panel discussions, and keynote speeches from leading experts in neurodiversity and mental health. Attendees left with practical tools and strategies to enhance their parenting journeys, emphasizing the importance of understanding and supporting the unique needs of neurodivergent children.
“While the conference was a tremendous success, we believe that our work doesn’t end here,” said Natasha Nelson. “It’s crucial to continue providing ongoing support and resources for parents as they navigate this important journey. We want to ensure families can access the tools they need long after the conference.”
To extend the momentum generated at the conference, Natasha and Yolanda are excited to announce the launch of the Supernova Parenting Community. This membership-based initiative aims to offer a safe and supportive environment for parents and caregivers to continue their growth as conscious parents.
Membership is available for as little as $5 a month via Patreon, making it accessible for all families seeking support.
“We know that parenting can be a challenging journey, especially when navigating neurodivergence and mental health issues,” Yolanda Walker added. “Our goal is to build a community where parents feel seen, heard, and supported. We hope you’ll join us in this vital work.”
For more information about the Supernova Parenting Community and to sign up for membership, please visit supernovaparenting.org
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Election Night on The Yard at Howard University
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