Rental Car Insurance?

[BE911SC]

They push it pretty hard at the pickup counter. Anyone purchase the insurance or is it just another profit-builder for the company?

[Hugh R]

If your regular carrier covers rental cars, I wouldn't buy it.

[gprsh924]

Crazy profit builder. Think about your yearly insurance cost vs what they want to charge you per day. That's where they turn small margins into large ones. Plus you regular insurance probably already covers you. And if you use a decent credit card, you probably have coverage there as well.

[imcarthur]

Originally Posted by gprsh924

And if you use a decent credit card, you probably have coverage there as well.

And it works. I have personally tested it.

Ian

[gprsh924]

Me too. Cracked windshield from a rock. Your story is probably better.

[Rick Lee]

I trashed a rental car on my honeymoon. My CC even covered the loss of use claim. When I rented in Seattle a few weeks ago, they really pushed hard on the insur. It was kind of obnoxious.

[Jim Richards]

They got wind of your driving prowress, RL.

[Zeke]

If the overall rental is cheap for a day or so, I buy the crap. I know that I can get into an accident, leave the keys in the ignition and walk away and wait for a replacement. A couple of times I have received a damaged car initially but didn't notice the damage until I was well on my way.

With their ins, screw it, not my problem.

[GH85Carrera]

I just rented a car and he asked once if I wanted their insurance. I told him my cc would cover it. He did not say any more about it.

[motion]

I have a deal with my Amex card where I pay a 17.00 flat rate whenever I rent a car, whether for a day or a month. 100% coverage with no deductible. I just reserve and pay with the card, and the coverage is automatic. No worries!

[Jim Richards]

I do the AMEX thing, too.

[jmaxwell]

Usually decline, but you need to check the exclusions /exceptions when travelling internationally. Italy and Ireland are ones that AMEX wont cover, and there are more. I can sure see why in Ireland. Narrow roads with no shoulder. meet a tour bus and your mirror is in the hedge for sure!

[Dantilla]

Originally Posted by BE911SC

They push it pretty hard at the pickup counter.

The only reason they push so hard is that it is pure profit.
Just like electronics stores pushing an extended warrenty.

The only time I asked for it was at a snowy ski area. Guess what? It wasn't available!

[kevin993]

+1 on the Amex program. We had an issue in Germany a few years ago and Amex was great to work with. As noted, there are some countries that are excluded. I'd be interested to know what people do for driving in those countries (like Italy and Ireland).

[Rick Lee]

When I was in Italy in May, I got an email from USAA that my MasterCard had been locked for fraud. The only place I had taken it out of my wallet since leaving the US was at the Hertz counter in Munich. I was really wondering if I still had coverage for my rental car, since it was through that MC. While in Trieste, my GPS took us through some roads that were not much wider than the car and on hills so steep, I had to drive in first gear. It was dicey. Luckily, I got back with no dings and they were so busy when I returned, that they didn't even look. I still don't know if I was covered.

[imcarthur]

Originally Posted by kevin993

I'd be interested to know what people do for driving in those countries (like Italy and Ireland).

You buy the mandatory insurance from the rental company.

Ian