Spanish Car Rental

[gprsh924]

Gents-

Heading to Spain in October for my honeymoon. Will be there for 2 weeks but for 1 of those I want to have a car to get around. The rental rates are pretty reasonable, but I am wondering how to handle the insurance.

I already checked my credit card and will use that for damage insurance and waive the CDW from the rental agency. But what about personal liability? Do I need to get insurance for that? Or am I covered through the travel insurance that I have which covers me for injuries? Any help is greatly appreciated.

Motion, what do you do for all of your international rentals?

[bleucamaro]

sixt for the car rental

See if your personal car insurance covers car rentals, if not, up it before you go. Also, see if your credit card does. My Capital one card does, so I decline everything.

[Paco Anton]

Can't help you with the rental terms but will be glad to answer any questions about Spain you may have.

I hope you will enjoy your honeymoon!!!

[Neilk]

Do you have Amex? They have a deal will there will offer extra insurance for 19.95 per trip. Here is a link Might not be necessary, but for
$19.95, seems like a no brainer rather than relying on your normal auto insurance.

[David]

Just got back from Spain and loved it!!! I used my credit card insurance and declined all other coverage. I went with Enterprise and it was about $40 a day.

[gprsh924]

Thanks guys. Yea I plan to use my credit card coverage and also call my personal insurance tomorrow to discuss.

David, does your coverage work for liability if you cause an accident? My card is just for damage to the car.

[imcarthur]

I have never bought extra car insurance unless the country requires it: i.e. Italy. I typically check Auto Europe who are a consolidator. They will match any quote from a legitimate company. They often use Avis for the actual rental but this varies from country to country. Check to see if you need an International License - available through AAA. It is semi-bogus (it's just a translation) but some countries do require it.

I always go for a Euro midsize - smaller than our midsize. That gives you a bit of grunt for the hills. And Spain has a few of those.

Ian

[Christien]

Our first trip to Spain we rented an Opel Corsa. Listen to Ian - there are hills. We got stuck at the bottom of one because the car didn't have enough HP to make it up without stalling. Had to backup and take a run at it

[gprsh924]

Yes, Spain requires the international permit.

For the week, a BMW 3 series or Audi A4 is only around $400 so I plan to spring for one of those.

[72doug2,2S]

Hertz includes the minimum requirements you need to legally drive. Many upsales are offered at the counter, but most international rentals like to have some extra protection at least LDW/CDW so you don't have to deal with an issue in a foreign country where you may not know the language.

It can be awkward at the counter if you are being told you need X,Y,Z and there is a language barrier. I would steer away from Sixt as they are an upstart German company. Rates are all over the place and if you have any issues, I'd rather be with one of the big three (Hertz, Alamo, Avis).

I'll PM you.

[72doug2,2S]

BTW, I recommend the LDW or CDW. It isn't insurance. If you damage the car, you walk away and pay nothing. I always add it. [When you buy it from the rental carrier, you're done. You don't need to follow up with paperwork hassles etc.]

[imcarthur]

Originally Posted by gprsh924

For the week, a BMW 3 series or Audi A4 is only around $400 so I plan to spring for one of those.

Excellent. I rented an A3 convertible in Crete last year & it was perfect. In general, the Spanish are very civilized in their driving style so you shouldn't have issues.

Ian

[motion]

Originally Posted by gprsh924

Yes, Spain requires the international permit.

For the week, a BMW 3 series or Audi A4 is only around $400 so I plan to spring for one of those.

Just my 0.02:

I've rented cars in probably 30 countries, including Spain on a few occasions, and have never been asked for my international license, even though I carry one. Japan is the exception. They do require one.

I avoid SixT. They tack on weird taxes after the fact. I always contest them and win 50% of the time. I went through this with them recently on a rental from Barcelona.

For insurance I use the AMEX policy Neil mentioned. For some states its 17.95 or 19.95 per rental. I pay 24.95 as a Montana residence. I've never had to use it, thankfully, but I do rent with my AMEX policy every time. Some countries freak out about it and will want to place a very large authorization on your card, so make sure you have room. South Africa nails me for about $12,000 US. I have a car right now that I rented in Prague, and they put on a hold for $1,500.

Pay extra and try to get a diesel! MUCH better cars with better mileage and diesel is cheaper right now throughout Europe.

When paying for fuel, if you don't have a chip card, you might be stuck. Make sure you have euros on hand to pay a local to use their credit card for your gas... just in case.

Speed cameras are starting to pop up all over Europe. Be careful.

[David]

Just a friendly reminder from someone who now has first hand experience with this: watch your speed on the highway there are speed cameras and they will get your home address

[Arizona_928]

Sixt is weird. They charge for tire, windshield, and everything else with deductible. Have to read the fine print on the amex.

[petrolhead611]

How many lard arses did you have seated in the Opel Corsa so that it wouldn't drive up the hill without a run up? I hired one in Spain a few years ago, and with two normal sized people plus luggage it managed just fine up some very steep dirt roads. My only criticism of the Corsa was its rubbery gear shift. Newer models have far more power than the one I drove.