Where can I buy JUST car insuance ?

[alexandra uk]

We have a car included with our package with First Choice but I have declined their insurance as I feel it is a bit of a rip off (£300 +), so I now need to book a seperate policy.

Can anyone point me in the right dirction and give me some indication of what cover I will need please ?

Thanks in advance.

[Graeme]

It's probably cheaper to hire a car with insurance from elsewhere, and just leave the included car at the airport. We do this every year. If you tell First choice there's probably a fee for doing this, but just don't tell them.

[Peebee]

www.insurance4carhire.com are the company we've used in the past for this, and didn't have any real issues, apart from once when the guy at the Dollar desk tried to tell me it was worthless and that I wouldn't be covered! I assured him I would be fine with what I had and he just shrugged and carried on processing the rental.

The car hire company will probably want to take a credit card imprint just in case, but that is fairly standard when you don't take their insurance and shouldn't be an issue.

Paul

[alisonbestford]

Another vote for insurance4carhire :thumbsup2

We've used it in the US and Italy.

Never had to claim in US but did have a claim in Italy which was dealt with quickly - only thing was we had to pay for the damage, on my cc, then claim it back.
It was all resolved in about 6 weeks :)

And yes, every time we've had to leave a cc imprint.

[Jakey Rowling]

www.insurance4carhire.com are the company we've used in the past for this, and didn't have any real issues, apart from once when the guy at the Dollar desk tried to tell me it was worthless and that I wouldn't be covered! I assured him I would be fine with what I had and he just shrugged and carried on processing the rental.

The car hire company will probably want to take a credit card imprint just in case, but that is fairly standard when you don't take their insurance and shouldn't be an issue.

Paul

For the OP, just be wary that this company does not recommend their policies for Flydrive hires.

See the notes here.
http://www.insurance4carhire.com/index.asp?curID=1&langID=1&sessionID=241796211&refID=100&pID=41
http://www.insurance4carhire.com/index.asp?curID=1&langID=1&sessionID=241796211&refID=100&pID=50

I'd be uneasy on this option for the First Choice car if the company itself doesn't recommend it.

[igk]

£300 insurance on a 'free' car? I can see why you don't want to pay that.
I'm another vote for just hiring a car seperately. Don't know when you're going but you can get a full-size car for a week for £120 or so all inclusive (maybe cheaper if you shop around).
I'd also be wary of insurance4carhire if they don't recommend using it for fly-drive (whatever they mean by that...)

[mickg7dyd]

Hi,
I have used Insurance4carhire before and the reason they don't recommend the policy for flydrives is because the holiday companies and car rental companies make so much money out of their own insurance that you may have a hard time at the rental desk. I have Amex insurance now and I get the hard sell every time too but I just stand my ground and eventually they give in. I have also never had the $1500 hold on my card that they talk about either.

Mick.

:cool2:

[penlanspice]

Another vote for insurance4carhire we used our policy around 11 times for different car hire rentals, we used ours in orlando, LA, Hawaii, las vegas and never had a problem.

As Mick said they state on their site they don't recommend it as some companies can be difficult, but I really would worry. We have used ours with dollar, budget, avis and alamo.

[princess jackson]

Another vote for insurance for car hire, we have used it for three years and always on our flydrive, no problems at all.

[gavvy]

Have used insurance4carhire 8 times now, including 4 with Virgin free car hire, never had a problem apart from 1 pushy alamo rep. I stood my ground and he gave in!

Never had $1500 blocked in my card either.

If you go through quidco or topcashback you can get 20%cashback on the policy too!!

[shazy03]

For the OP, just be wary that this company does not recommend their policies for Flydrive hires.

See the notes here.
http://www.insurance4carhire.com/index.asp?curID=1&langID=1&sessionID=241796211&refID=100&pID=41
http://www.insurance4carhire.com/index.asp?curID=1&langID=1&sessionID=241796211&refID=100&pID=50

I'd be uneasy on this option for the First Choice car if the company itself doesn't recommend it.

I agree, we have always been with dollar and paid the LDW, after 15 years of driving in Orlando on our hols in Feb just a couple of weeks ago,we did have an accident, its not until you experience it you realise most of the time you get what you pay for. Whilst dollar is more expensive, we just handed the keys back for vehicle and didnt have get involved in anything else which is peace of mind. :surfweb:

[alexandra uk]

Thanks everyone.
We have decided to use Insurance4carhire and get it through quidco for the 20% off.

[Jakey Rowling]

For info I contacted Insurance4carhire as it might be a cheaper route for me if I take a flydrive option.

This is the response from them, as others have said they have used them OK.

When you hire a car in the USA, you have the choice of taking a rental that is either fully inclusive of car rental insurance or fully exclusive. If you take an exclusive package, then it is necessary to purchase Collision Damage Waiver/Loss Damage Waiver (CDW/LDW) and Supplemental Liability Insurance (SLI). CDW/LDW covers damage to the rental vehicle, and SLI covers third party liability. These insurances must be purchased at the car rental counter and cost between US$20 and US$30 per day.

Our Policy covers you for CDW/LDW up to US $80,000 and SLI up to US $1million. If you have taken a rental that is exclusive of car rental insurance, then our Policy will fully cover you for your car rental insurance requirements. You do not need to purchase additional car rental insurance.

Fly Drive programmes are generally structured so that the car rental company makes very little money on the rental, and looks to make its profit from add-ons such as insurance. For that reason, companies which participate in Fly Drive programmes do not always readily accept this insurance.

If you do intend to use our Insurance, then I would suggest you contact the rental company to tell them you have your own insurance and ask them to confirm that they will accept it.

Please let me know if we can be of further assistance.

Mark Langley
Insurance4carhire.com

Trans-World House, 100 City Road, London, EC1Y 2BP
Tel: 020 7012 6300

Fax: 020 7012 6315
E-Mail: info@insurance4carhire.com

Website: www.insurance4carhire.com
Insurance4carhire.com is a trading name of Towergate Underwriting Group Ltd which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority.

[gavvy]

I can def say that both Dollar and Alamo will take the policy on a flydrives "free" carhire. Dollar do it no questions asked. Alamo were a little more pushy, asked to see the policy and did try to sell me more.

[alexandra uk]

Thanks Gavvy.

We're definatly going to use them. I'll print all of the info of before we go and get ready to stand my ground at the hire desk.
Does the policy cover additional drivers ?

[Jakey Rowling]

Thanks Gavvy.

We're definatly going to use them. I'll print all of the info of before we go and get ready to stand my ground at the hire desk.
Does the policy cover additional drivers ?

Yes if they are named, same links as in post #5