Fee glossary · Optional add-on
PAI / PEC: Personal accident insurance and personal effects coverage
Optional coverage for medical or death benefits for you and your passengers (PAI) and theft of belongings from the car (PEC).
Also shown as: PAI PEC PAE personal accident personal effects
What to know
- PAI often overlaps with health insurance and the medical-payments or personal-injury-protection coverage on an auto policy.
- PEC often overlaps with homeowners or renters insurance, which commonly cover belongings away from home (subject to a deductible).
- These are often sold as one bundled daily price.
At the counter, say
"Please remove personal accident and personal effects coverage."
Check on your agreement
- PAI/PEC lines show declined.
- Bundles ("protection package") list which products are inside them.
If it was charged anyway
- Ask for a corrected, itemized receipt before you leave the lot.
- Do not sign a release that trades a partial refund for your card-dispute rights unless you have decided that is what you want.
- Send your card issuer a written billing-error notice within 60 days after the first statement showing the charge (15 U.S.C. § 1666; CFPB guide).
- Use the receipt checker to total it and draft the letter.
Frequently asked questions
Is personal accident insurance worth it on a rental car?
For many renters it duplicates health and auto coverage they already have. Check your own policies first.
Does renters or homeowners insurance cover items stolen from a rental car?
Often yes, subject to your deductible and policy limits. Check your policy.
What if PAI/PEC was part of a package I did not ask for?
Ask the counter to itemize the package and remove what you did not request. Keep the agreement and receipt if you need to dispute it later.
Reviewed . General consumer information, not legal advice. See something wrong? Request a correction.