
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, April 5, 1990                   TAG: 9004040297
SECTION: EXTRA                    PAGE: E-3   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Tammy Poole
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

CAR RENTERS SHOULD CHECK POLICY CONCERNING LOSS-OF-USE COVERAGE QUICKLINE

As of Feb. 15, consumers have been able to add a "loss of use" endorsement to cover gaps in their auto insurance policy as it applies to rental cars. The endorsement covers the policyholder's liability to the rental car agency for any rentals the company lost while a damaged car is being repaired.

Car rental agencies offer a collision damage waiver that protects a consumer from liability if they are involved in an accident with the car. However, this waiver does not always include the loss-of-use fee.

The new endorsement will make sure that these fees are covered, said Ken Schrad, assistant director of the State Corporation Commission in Richmond.

Individuals should check with their insurance agents to determine whether or not their company offers this coverage, and if a collision damage waiver should be purchased when renting a car.

A 1988 Virginia law requires rental car companies to give extra notice of the fact the collision damage waivers are optional and that a renter's own insurance might cover damages.

Quickline helps consumers get service, information and refunds of more than $25. Mail complaints, questions to Quickline, Roanoke Times & World-News, Box 2491, Roanoke name, address, phone number and photocopies of documents such as canceled checks, receipts or credit-card statements. Documents cannot be returned; complaints cannot be taken by phone. Questions not selected for use in the column will not be answered personally.

by CNB