A little help with car hire insurance?

[angelicamy12]

Thanks to a helpful disser, I've found a great price for car hire. We're thinking of booking with Alamo and will have a standard car for 2 weeks.

We were hoping to go for the 'all inclusive package' which gives us the following:

Collision Damage Waiver Full
Extended Protection
Customer Facility Chg 2.00 Per Day
Concession Recoup Fee 10%
Tire/battery Fee .02 Per Day
Florida Surcharge 2.00 Per Day
Vehicle License Fee .71 Per Day
State Tax
Unlimited Mileage

I've only just recently passed my test and car hire/insurance etc confuses the hell out of me! I won't be driving in Florida, my boyfriend will. Could someone who has hired a car in the states before let me know if the above is 'adequate' insurance or if I need anything else? Will there be any additional charges when we arrive?

We dont need a GPS or anything. I'm trying to do this trip on a tight budget so I worry about getting hit with extra fees when we're there.

Thanks so much!

Amy

 

[wayneg]

If you are booking an all inclusive deal with a UK agent then you are fully covered.
Unfortunately in arrival they could tell you anything to get you to part wiith more money. The agents job it to get you to upgrade to a bigger car, buy more insurance, and sell you extras like Sat nav.
Even though I have rented 50+ cars in the States I still get hassle at times, like my last one at Boston airport last month, she was a nightmare.
Just decline everything and only take what you prepaid for, the reciept they give you should say estimated fees $0.00, then on return make sure the reciept says final cost $0.00

Going direct with Alamo is not usually the cheapest way, agents offer discounts. If you post all details(cost, car size, dates, collect & drop off points) I will let you know if I see a better deal.

 

[angelicamy12]

Hi Wayne,

Thank you, I really appreciate your help here! I understand they will try and upsell us but that's why I want to know I'm covered so I can't be talked into anything I don't need (right now I'd believe anything they told me which could end up very expensive!)

We are looking for a standard car for 2 weeks from the 3rd November 2013. Picking up and returning to Sandford Airport. 1 driver who is aged 33 and has been driving since he was 17.

The best price I have so far is £195 for a standard car with the above insurance policy, that is with Alamo with a travel industry discount (my boyfriend works in airport security)

 

[wayneg]

For a straightforward rental with no cashback then £195 is probably as good as you will get.

If you use Quidco (free if you want to register) they have a 16% cashback offer with Holiday Autos, HA have a 20% off sale today only.

They are quotng £204 less 16% = £172. Downside is you don't know who it is with until you pay, chances are it will be Alamo but no guarantees. http://www.quidco.com/holiday-autos/

Either way they are all fully inclusive.
One of their tactics is to try sell you roadside assist, you are covered for breakdowns with all rentals but this extra costs about $5/day and covers things like locking your keys inside the car, leaving your lights on overnight etc, personally I have never bought it & never would.
Another is personal liabilty, your travel insurance covers this.
GPS is a rip off thru rental companies
Sunpass/toll system, not really needed around the themepark area, you can pay cash easily, most people only take this option if visiting Miami where there are roads which don't accept cash.

Ask if there is anything you are not sure about, someone will answer.