HSBC premier travel insurance

euanovsky

I have a travel insurance with HSBC. 

I'm wondering if I'm covered in the following scenario: 

If I rent a car in the US and I accidentally run someone over or damage someone's vehicle, am I covered under personal liability?

The policy has an exclusion that says "electrically or mechanically powered vehicles, other than golf buggies or vehicles designed to assist disabled persons (as long as not registered for road use)" are not covered. However a car with a combustion engine doesn't fall under this category. 

I called their helpline and their staff told me a motor vehicle wouldn't be covered either. I asked them to point me to the clause that says that and they just told me it's not covered so I'm not sure if I have been told incorrect information?

martindow

A car is a 'mechanically powered vehicle', so is mentioned in their exclusion that you've quoted.   It sounds as if the information you received from their help line is correct.

euanovsky

martindow said:

A car is a 'mechanically powered vehicle', so is mentioned in their exclusion that you've quoted.   It sounds as if the information you received from their help line is correct.

Thanks - I thought mechanically powered vehicle means bicycles etc and not vehicles with a motor?

movilogo

If I rent a car in the US and I accidentally run someone over or damage someone's vehicle, am I covered under personal liability?

Your car insurance (if you hired from a local rental company) will cover this situation. 

Sandtree

euanovsky said:

martindow said:

A car is a 'mechanically powered vehicle', so is mentioned in their exclusion that you've quoted.   It sounds as if the information you received from their help line is correct.

Thanks - I thought mechanically powered vehicle means bicycles etc and not vehicles with a motor?

Exact opposite, mechanically powered has some form of engine/motor... human powered (eg bicycles) are what are covered.

movilogo said:

If I rent a car in the US and I accidentally run someone over or damage someone's vehicle, am I covered under personal liability?

Your car insurance (if you hired from a local rental company) will cover this situation. 

The OP is asking about the USA where the statutory insurance could be as low as $5k limit, most sell SLI cover to increase this limit (often to $1m) which can be bought from the hire company or is often part of third party Car Hire Excess Insurance too.

zagfles

Normal travel insurance never covers liability for driving a car, it's a standard exclusion.

Might be worth getting CDW excess and SLI insurance before you go, see https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/travel/cheap-car-hire/