Renting a car

In the recent vacation we had,we rented a car.In this vacation we went very far and we took an airplane,so obviously we couldn't take our car.We rented the car through internet.When we arrived in our destination,the representative of the rent a car company told us that we have to take a car insurance along with the rent.Some roads are not good to drive at and the car was right hand drive.Everytime we rent a car,we usually take car insurance and no questions about that.We want to be tranquil in our road trip especially if it's in other countries.