Standing at the rental car counter after a long flight with tired and hungry children is not the best time to wonder if you need additional insurance to cover a rental car.

In most cases, your own auto insurance provides coverage, subject to the terms and conditions of your policy. Most policies say you have coverage for any temporary use of a passenger vehicle.

All policies offer liability coverage for injuries to another party, but if you stopped paying for collision and comprehensive coverage on an older car, you must purchase additional rental coverage. Also, your auto insurance generally won’t cover a U-Haul truck or similar rental.

Also, be honest about who will be driving. Your 16 year old can have a license, but they charge a lot more for young drivers and many don’t allow them at all. If that driver is not listed when you rent the car, his insurance may not cover an accident.

Many credit cards automatically provide coverage for a rental if you use that card to rent the car. Read the fine print to find out if that policy includes the contents of the vehicle and which drivers are covered.

Make sure your insurance policy also includes adequate coverage for the uninsured or underinsured in case the other driver in an accident is not properly insured. That advice also applies to your personal car.

Also, check with your agent about any special needs associated with driving in another country, including Canada, which requires you to carry an insurance card. Anytime you have a new situation, it’s a good idea to review your policy to make sure you’re adequately covered.