car insurance during home visits?

[heyteach]

I'm preparing for my first trip back to the U.S. in two years. Since I sold my car, I will have to rent one for the month I'll be there. My credit card only provides collision insurance for 15 days on a rental, so I'm guess I'm stuck with the agency's expensive collision insurance. Are there any other options? State Farm won't insure me since I no longer own a car. What do you all do about liability insurance?

[Michelle]

Yes, this is a problem. I always keep an old car and keep liability on it for about $100 a year. This way I can rent cars and use that insurance and I also have a car to drive for the summer when I return home. Giving up your car insurance is a big mistake because companies charge you a much higher rate to initiate a policy when you don't have current insurance. What to do with the car can be a problem when you leave for 10 months. Fortunately I have a friend with a very big barn and I leave my car off to the side.