1.  Make and model of the vehicle you plan to rent.  Your auto insurance policy usually covers rental of most cars, pick-up trucks and vans.  There may be some restrictions and/or exclusions as to what vehicles can and can't be covered, such as trucks or vans over a specified weight.

2.  Use of vehicle business versus pleasure.  Business use of rental trucks or vans is usually excluded from coverage.

3.  Where the vehicle will be used.  Your auto insurance policy usually restricts coverage to the U.S., Puerto Rico, Canada, and U.S. territories and possessions such as the Virgin Islands.

4.  Length of time you're planning the rental.  Some auto policies have restrictions as to how many consecutive days a vehicle may be covered.  Policies vary, so be sure to cover this point with your insurance agent.

5.  Your understanding of how much your policy will pay per day for car rental under "loss of use."  Some policies have "loss of use" coverage, limiting the policyholder to $15 (or another stipulated amount) per day for car rental, with a maximum amount.

6.  Who is actually renting the vehicle.  If the vehicle is to be rented in the name of a business instead of the person insured under the personal auto insurance policy, the coverage would revert to the business policy.

Other tips:

1.  Understand the limits of the collision damage waiver (CDW) of the rental car company before signing on the dotted line.  Some are limited to only damage to the rental car and does not extend to other vehicles or damaged property .

2.  If you are using a credit card for coverage, make sure you understand the extent of coverage provided by the credit card issuer.

3.  Make a point to indicate who the driver(s) will be.  Most rental car agreements limit the drivers to the insured or the insured's spouse.  Make sure to get permission if a person other than the insured and spouse are to be drivers.

4.  Review the car rental agreement's "use restrictions" with your insurance agent or company representative.  For instance, are you planning any off-road adventuring on unpaved roads?  Violation of such restrictions will void your rental agreement.

5.  Some car rental agencies are checking driving records and for proof of insurance.  Some companies are checking the motor vehicle records of their clients.  Be advised that you may pay more or even be turned down at the rental counter if you have a poor driving record.  Some may require you to show proof of insurance.