You've probably been there before. You're standing at the car rental counter, and the agent is trying to terrify you into purchasing an insurance package that totals more than the rental itself. After all, they're not getting rich off that super $10/day deal that you snagged on-line.

Before you dismiss the pitch with a wave though, and initial eight times in the 'DECLINE' section of rental agreement, there are some things you probably should consider to ensure sure you're adequately protected in the event of an accident. Here's a quick guide to covering your bases when renting in the U.S. (policies outside the U.S. vary greatly).

So you think you're covered. Damage, theft, personal effects - hey, you've even worked with your insurance agent to make sure you're covered in case of liability. Good for you. And yet, too many people who think they've done the responsible thing end up surprised when, after an accident, their insurance company won't foot the bill for something the rental car companies call "loss-of-use".

Loss-of-use is a fee imposed by the rental car company on the customer to cover its lost income while the vehicle is out of commission from an accident--even when the accident may not have been the customer's fault.