Summer is when a lot of families start traveling, renting vehicles, getting out on the lake, or planning something a little different from the normal routine. That might mean renting a car on vacation, taking out a boat or jet ski, riding an ATV or side-by-side, or even driving an RV.

Those are all fun things to do, but they can also create insurance questions that many people do not think about until they are standing at the rental counter or signing a waiver.

A good rule of thumb is simple: do not assume your regular homeowners or auto insurance automatically covers every summer activity. Depending on what you are renting, where you are using it, and what your own policy says, there may be gaps you need to know about before something happens.

One of the most important points is that having insurance does not mean you are covered for every situation. A personal auto policy may respond one way to a rental car, but that does not mean it will respond the same way to a boat, jet ski, motorcycle, ATV, or RV.

That is why it is smart to ask questions ahead of time. Who is responsible if the rental is damaged? What happens if someone gets hurt? Does your policy provide any liability protection? Does it cover physical damage to the item you rented? Are there exclusions?

These are not questions most people want to think about when they are excited to get on the lake or start a trip, but they matter.

When a rental company asks if you want to buy “insurance,” it may not actually be an insurance policy. In many cases, it is a damage waiver.

That difference matters.

A damage waiver may help cover damage to whatever you rented, such as a rental car. But it may not cover liability if someone else is injured or if you damage someone else’s property. In other words, it may protect you from certain costs tied to the rented item itself, but it is not always the same as having full insurance protection.

Still, when renting a car or other equipment, buying the waiver can be a smart move. It may feel expensive in the moment, but it can prevent a frustrating rental damage issue from becoming a claim on your own policy.

Mark and Kathy shared a real-life example that shows why this matters. After Mark was involved in an accident that was not his fault, they had to use a rental car. Even though the insurance company helped arrange the rental, they still purchased the waiver from Enterprise.

That decision ended up helping them.

Kathy drove the rental car to the grocery store, came home, and had no idea anything had happened. The damage was on the passenger side, where someone had apparently sideswiped the car in the parking lot and left without a note.

Because they had purchased the waiver, they were able to call the rental company, return the vehicle, and let the rental company handle the damage. Without the waiver, that situation could have become much more complicated.

One cost many people do not think about is “loss of use.” If a rental vehicle is damaged and cannot be rented while it is being repaired, the rental company may charge the renter for the days that vehicle is unavailable.

That can add up fast.

Some personal auto policies may include loss of use coverage, but many do not. Even if your policy covers damage to a rental car, it may not fully cover the rental company’s lost income while the car is being repaired.

That is one of the biggest reasons to consider the waiver. It can help keep the rental company’s problem from becoming your credit card problem.

If damage to a rental vehicle has to be turned in under your own auto policy, it may count as a collision claim. That can potentially affect your rates for several years.

There may also be a deductible. Today, many people carry higher deductibles to save on premium, which can make sense. But if a rental damage claim has to go through your own policy, that deductible may become part of the cost.

In Mark and Kathy’s case, the waiver kept the damage from hitting their personal auto policy. That meant no deductible, no collision claim, and no rate impact from that incident.

The episode also touched on the difference between collision and comprehensive coverage. Collision generally applies when your vehicle collides with something or someone. Comprehensive, sometimes called “other than collision,” may apply to things like theft, fire, deer damage, windshield damage, or certain non-collision losses.

That distinction matters because how a claim is classified can affect how it is handled and whether it impacts your policy.

Rental cars are only part of the conversation. Boats, jet skis, ATVs, motorcycles, and RVs can create even more uncertainty because many people are not used to operating them.

Driving an RV is different from driving a car. Handling a boat or jet ski is different from being on land. Riding an ATV or side-by-side may involve unfamiliar terrain. Add crowds, vacation traffic, lake activity, and sometimes alcohol, and the risk can go up quickly.

Before renting, ask what the rental company covers, what the waiver covers, and what you are still responsible for.

The best advice is to call your insurance agent before the trip. Let them know what you are renting and where you are going. Ask what your current policy may cover, what it excludes, and whether you need an endorsement, travel insurance, a separate policy, or the rental company’s waiver.

Do not rely only on general advice from the rental counter. Your coverage depends on your individual policy and company.

Traveling outside the country adds another layer. Your auto policy may provide coverage in the United States, Canada, and some U.S. territories, but that does not mean it follows you everywhere.

For example, Mexico generally requires separate insurance. If you are renting a vehicle abroad, make sure you understand the local requirements and your own coverage before you drive.

Summer fun should still be fun. The goal is not to scare anyone away from traveling, renting a boat, or taking a family trip. The goal is to understand your coverage before something goes wrong.

Whether you are renting a car, boat, jet ski, ATV, RV, or traveling internationally, a little planning can make a big difference. Ask questions, call your agent, and know what you are responsible for before you sign the agreement.