by Gabrielle DeSantis

We’ve all heard the sales pitch. “Would sir or madam like to select insurance coverage on their vehicle today?” Now, it’s time to look into the pros and cons of rental car insurance, and their effect on your rental car’s safety, as well as its effect on your wallet. There’s much to consider when it comes to rental car insurance, from different types of coverage to the cost, and even a little “legalese” mixed in.

Rental car insurance can save you a lot of hassle

First, it’s important to discuss, on a very general level, how rental car insurance works. Basically, it functions just like your own car insurance policy. You pay a flat fee upfront, usually based on the value of the vehicle and your driving record, and in exchange, the insurance company comes to your rescue should something happen to the vehicle. Ideally, it never does, and that money is spent on nothing but your own peace of mind, or a candy bar. You choose.

That way, if you’re covered, you won’t be fully liable for any damage incurred during an accident. Additionally, insurance on a rental car is separate from your own car insurance. It varies from company to company, but that could mean your own insurance rates won’t go up after an accident. Moreover, some credit cards, like the Chase Sapphire card, offer coverage on rental cars, saving you even more time and money.

Coverage may not always be financially smart

However, it has to be said that electing coverage is not always a good idea. At least, on some level. Rental car insurance is often tiered. For the sake of the example, let’s say there’s full or basic coverage. Full coverage is as armored up as one can get. Should an accident happen, there’s almost no way the insurance company won’t cover whatever damage was done.

Basic, or as it’s often called, liability coverage, is a little more limiting, as the name implies. Generally speaking, that will only cover the most minimal of fender benders. There are also some instances in which electing coverage may not be worth it. Only in for a night? You probably won’t be driving enough to need that insurance. Or, perhaps your credit card covers it anyway. No need to buy coverage twice.

Rental agents are trained in the art of the pitch

Rental car agents are trained to pitch insurance as hard as possible. I should know, I used to do it for a living. Insurance companies will often incentivize rental agencies to offer their coverage. Then, a rental car company will offer its employees a commission on sales of coverage. With these factors in mind, it should be easy to decide how much, if any, rental car insurance you need.

RELATED: Are Sports Cars Really More Expensive to Insure?

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by Gabrielle DeSantis

The 2021 Audi Q7 and 2021 Porsche Cayene are two midsize luxury SUVs that are known for their combination of style and comfort. Consumer Reports gives them pretty similar ratings, too. So which is a better way to spend $60,000, on the 2021 Audi Q7 or 2021 Porsche Cayenne?

Does the 2021 Audi Q7 or 2021 Porsche Cayenne have a better road test score?

Consumer Reports gives the 2021 Porsche Cayenne scores a 4/5 for its acceleration. It can reach 0 to 60 in 6.5 seconds. Its transmission scores a 4/5. Routine handling receives an excellent 5/5, while emergency handling only gets a 3/5. The Porsche Cayenne’s max avoidance speed is 50 mph.

Consumer Reports gives the 2021 Audi Q7 scores a 4/5 for its acceleration. It can reach 0 to 60 in 7.0 seconds. Its transmission scores a 5/5. Routine handling receives a very good 4/5, while emergency handling only gets a 3/5. The Audi Q7’s max avoidance speed is 51 mph.

Braking is pretty good in the Cayenne. It scores a 4/5 and can brake from 60 mph on dry pavement in 131 feet. On wet pavement that becomes 140 feet.The Cayenne’s headlights only score a 3/5.

Braking is pretty good in the Q7. It scores a 4/5 and can brake from 60 mph on dry pavement in 133 feet. On wet pavement that becomes 141 feet. The Q7’s headlights only score a 3/5.

As far as comfort, the 2021 Porsche Cayenne gets a reasonable 3/5 for its ride. It’s quiet: it scores a perfect 5 for its noise. Both front and rear seat comfort also get perfect scores. Interior fit and finish get a perfect 5. The trunk and cargo space scores only a 3/5, with just 32 cubic feet of storage space.

As far as comfort, the 2021 Audi Q7 gets a very good 4/5 for its ride. It’s quiet: it scores a perfect 5 for its noise. Both front and rear seat comfort also get perfect scores. Interior fit and finish get a perfect 5. The trunk and cargo space scores only a 3/5, with just 35.5 cubic feet of storage space.

The Q7 comes with more safety features

Consumer Reports recommends advanced safety features that car shoppers should consider. These include forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking at city and highway speeds, lane-keeping assistance, and lane departure warning. Consumer Reports also says that pedestrian detection, blind-spot warning, and rear cross-traffic warning are important to have. 

Rearview cameras are standard in all new cars. You should also look for anti-lock brakes, traction and stability control, and daytime running lights.

The 2021 Audi Q7 comes standard with all of these features. Both the IIHS and the NHTSA have crash-tested the 2021 Audi Q7. The IIHS gave the Q7 all good scores, and the NHTSA gave it five stars for the overall side-crash, as well as overall side-crash, driver and rear passenger. The side pole crash also gets five stars. The 4WD rollover crash only gets four stars.

While the 2021 Porsche Cayenne comes with a lot of these features, it isn’t quite as many as the Q7. The Cayenne is missing lane-keeping assist and blind-spot warning, which are optional. Unfortunately, rear cross-traffic warning isn’t even available. Neither the IIHS nor the NHTSA have crash-tested the 2021 Porsche Cayenne.

More people would buy the Cayenne again – but only by 1%

To determine the reliability of a vehicle, Consumer Reports sends out surveys to people who have bought previous versions of the vehicle. They then combine this survey data with what they know about the current model. They say that with these two pieces of information, they can “expertly predict the reliability of new and redesigned models.”

Consumer Reports gives the 2021 Audi Q7 only a 2/5 for its predicted reliability, but Audi Q7 owners rated the owner satisfaction a 4/5. The driving experience, comfort, and styling are an 84. Value, however, is just a 32. 71% of Q7 owners would buy their Q7 again.

Consumer Reports gives the 2021 Porsche Cayenne a 3/5 for its predicted reliability. Although there are no reliability ratings for 2020, 2019 shows an average reliability rating. Problem spots in the 2019 include the engine minor, brakes, and power equipment.

Despite this mediocre reliability rating, Porsche Cayenne owners give owner satisfaction a 4/5. This includes a driving experience and comfort rating of 92. Styling receives an 85. Value is only slightly better than the Q7 at 35. 72% of Cayenne owners would buy their Cayenne again, which is an even smaller margin compared to the Q7. 

Safety is a huge part of the car buying experience, and without crash test ratings, it’s hard to compare the two SUVs. However, their comparable road test scores (the Q7’s is slightly higher), similar reliability (the Cayenne’s is slightly higher), and near-identical owner satisfaction ratings make it even harder. Still, it seems that the Audi Q7 offers a complete package, including all of the recommended safety features. Unless you want to spring for the extra luxury offered by the Cayenne, the Q7 is a great choice.

RELATED: The 2021 Audi Q7 Is Almost Perfect

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