Whether renting or not, don't forget about auto insurance

While millions of Americans will enjoy road trips this summer, not everyone will be taking their own car. Regardless, there are auto insurance considerations that every summer driver should consider.

People who plan to rent a car should be aware of their options, particularly when it comes to whether or not they should purchase an insurance policy from the rental dealership.

According to the Insurance Information Institute, people should contact their auto insurance company to be sure that their current policy will cover a rental. Another advisable step is to contact the credit card company that will be used to pay for the rental, since they often provide rental car insurance.

"Faced with a number of choices, some renters either purchase all of the coverage or they decline the insurance without knowing if they are covered by other policies. This can result in either wasting money by purchasing unnecessary coverage or having gaps in coverage, making the driver dangerously uninsured," said Jeanne Salvatore of the III.

The III also advises drivers that if they do get into an accident with a rental, the car company may levy a variety of fees on them ranging from towing and diminished value to administrative costs.