DEAR SUN SPOTS: I am a disabled veteran and usually rent a car three or four times a year to visit my children, who all live in Maine. Recently I called rental places and was told that I have to have full insurance coverage to rent a car.

I asked why, not owning a car, I would have full coverage and was told that was policy. I don’t understand. Maybe someone could explain? Thank you. — D. E. Whitmore, Lewiston

ANSWER: Sun Spots was pretty sure she knew the answer to your question, but to verify she called Larry Stewart’s U-Save Auto Rental.

Owner Larry and Sun Spots agree that there are three ways to insure a rental vehicle:

1. If you carry full coverage on your personal vehicle (collision as well as liability), most insurance companies will cover the rental vehicle while you are on vacation or otherwise lack access to your own car (perhaps it’s being repaired).

Be sure and check with your insurance company to verify coverage before you rent. If you hang onto the endless stream of papers insurance companies are always sending out, you should have received a “rider” on this aspect of your coverage.

2. Some credit cards will cover you for collision if you use their card to pay the rental fees. Again, be sure to check on this before heading off on vacation.

3. You can purchase coverage from the rental company. Larry says he charges $16.95 per day for a rental vehicle. Not cheap, but certainly safer than going without — even if the rental agencies would allow you to do.

Sun Spots realizes this may be a financial hardship for you and others. Maybe the bus would be a better deal?

Perhaps in the past you rented a vehicle without either you or the agency realizing you lacked coverage and they questioned you more closely this time?

Sun Spots hopes that you find a way to visit your children.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: There was a question from a man in the Nov. 18 column about finding someone to transfer 8mm videos to DVDs, and I wanted to let you know of another place you can add to your Rolodex.

Via-Vision located on College St. in Lewiston transfers old videos to DVDs, and I’m pretty sure they do 8mm transfers. Via-Vision is owned and operated by a very nice man named Francis Gagnon.

They did my wedding video five years ago and were very professional. I’m surprised that they are not in your Rolodex already, considering he was just in the paper for receiving an award for his business.

And while I’m not positive, I could have sworn he had written in to offer his services in response to a question. I hope your readers will consider him for all their video needs. Terri Hutchinson, [email protected]]

ANSWER: Sun Spots checked her archive and discovered that Mr. Gagnon was mentioned in the column recently for participating in an event on saving old photos and videos at the Franco-American Collection USM-LAC. She will add him to her Rolodex this moment!

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I’m responding to the Nov. 18 request for a place that converts 8mm film to DVDs. Kodak will perform this service with other media as well. — Amanda Barton, [email protected]

ANSWER: Sun Spots does not know of a local outlet for Kodak, but you can visit them online at www.imemories.com.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: To all graduates of the Lewiston High School Class of 1980: Upon learning that there were no plans for a 30th class reunion this year, and with full understanding and appreciation for the dedication and efforts of those who organized prior reunions, a few of us decided to contact fellow classmates to gauge whether there was any interest in perhaps having either an informal get-together later this fall, or even a more elaborate affair sometime next year.

If there is sufficient interest, we can explore possible dates, suggestions for locations, themes, etc. Please contact us within the next few weeks via our website at www.lhsclassof1980.com. — Dan Butler, [email protected], 621-7061

This column is for you, our readers. It is for your questions and comments. There are only two rules: You must write to the column and sign your name (we won’t use it if you ask us not to). Please include your phone number. Letters will not be returned or answered by mail, and telephone calls will not be accepted. Your letters will appear as quickly as space allows. Address them to Sun Spots, P.O. Box 4400, Lewiston, ME 04243-4400. Inquiries can also be e-mailed to [email protected].