Alamo tried to get me to buy insurance!

[clonetothebone]

Alamo sprang this one on me in May and when I said no he said Fine be uninsured then, even though I had proof of my own insurance.- It was a nasty start to my vacation as even though I knew I was fully insured with my own policy, it does make you think!

If someone treated me like this I think I would be tearing up the contract and making a big scene in front of all those others waiting and go to another company. I can't believe they said that!

 

[disneyfan19712006]

We did online check in and were told to bypass the counter and go pick out a car. Has anyone done this? Do we just turn in the paperwork on the way out? How far is the walk to choose a car. We will have a 4 yr old, three adults and about 13 bags?

 

[kjs1976]

My DH has only been pressured once at the Alamo counter in the countless times he's picked up our car. When we went to pick up our car in Dec. we had to wait for about 1/2 hr. in line. DH ended up taking to the guy behind him in line who was a frequent traveler and used Alamo for all his rentals. He warned my DH about a certain young man who was working the counter, that he'd try to scam you into insurance. Sure enough, the young man behind the counter was free when it was my Dh's turn. DH made one slip up in how he declined one type of insurance, but the way the guy phrased it, my dh declining one type of insurance it meant he was automatically signed up for the other. We noticed it when he gave DH the final papers to sign and the guy wanted to argue back and forth of how he didn't decline it. Finally, he got all pissy and ripped up the papers and printed new ones, and in a huffy voice explained what damage we would no be responsible for if we had a crash. We watched him do this to another family ahead of us, but didn't realize, until our turn, why the family got so upset!

We've had excellent service by the people in the garage when picking up and returning our cars.

 

[kjs1976]

DisneyFan-
DH did online check in for his April trip. He walked right to the aisle where his type of car was and drove to the check-out booth and he was done and gone in about 5 min. Very slick! From the baggage carosel, you have to follow the signs and take the elevator or escalator down a floor. Follow the alamo/national signs and it isn't too far to the garage.

 

[Esmerelda]

as I have said for years...cheaper is NOT always better....

you don't even want to get my on my soapbox about my numerous bad experiences with Alamo....

never again...I learned many years ago..."just say NO to Alamo..."

I'm sorry the OP had such a nasty go of it though...a vacation should not start out that way.

Esmerelda

 

[manning]

Its not that they ask, but you need to say no a lot. Not just once. Its like getting a telemarketer off the telephone. Its just crappy service. And they lie or stretch the truth which is my biggest pet peeve about it.

They're easier, you just hang up on them.

 

[deelam]

Just wondering about the "loss of use" insurance that Alamo tried to sell me. I declined it, but was very nervous about declining. I have Amex, and it is supposed to cover anything my insurance doesn't. I wonder if Amex will cover "loss of use" fees? Does anyone know?

 

[simpilotswife]

Ugh!! I got a great rate from Alamo for our August rental but I don't know if it's really worth the aggravation that I am reading about.

 

[Luvdisney]

Okay you guys have me all worried now. I've always used National or Budget and have never had a problem. This will be my first time renting with Alamo. They had a great rate on a Std. SUV I couldn't pass up. Now I don't know.... I will be there on Saturday 6/17. I have QS and I even called to have my ressie modified because our flight is coming in later then what I had originally scheduled in the ressie. The were very nice and made the change with no hassle or additional cost.

 

[Bill From PA]

Please folks, don't get your undies in a bunch. As mentioned before, the extras are huge money makers for rental comapnies and the counter persons get, or lose, income based on their success in pushing these. I've used Alamo, National, Avis and Enterprise with most of my experience being with Alamo at MCO and before, when they were off site. I carry a copy of my insurance card with me when I do the paperwork, when the agent gets to the insurance pitch, I flash the card for him/her, say, 'I'm covered' and that's always been that. I've never had to say 'NO' to anything more than once. These folks become expert in 'reading' people, they can sense which customers can be buffaloed into something and which can't. When dealing with such agents be firm and brief. Say 'No' once, if pushed further, say, "No thank you, I'm in a hurry, please proceed with this, I want the car and nothing more'. No need to get emotionally involved, it's a cold, hard business transaction, nothing more, and it's unlikely you'll ever see that person again.

Bill From PA

 

[manning]

Just wondering about the "loss of use" insurance that Alamo tried to sell me. I declined it, but was very nervous about declining. I have Amex, and it is supposed to cover anything my insurance doesn't. I wonder if Amex will cover "loss of use" fees? Does anyone know?

Don't know about loss of use but check out Diners Club. Their insurance is primary.

 

[daisax]

I agree with the poster who said that they can read whom to pressure. I just smile like an idiot who's on to them and say "No thank you, I'm covered." Usually the head drops down and they go back to the paperwork without further comment.

You want to convey the attitude that you've heard the song and dance a million times and you're not buying.

If you really feel like the guy is flatout lying to you, take out your videocamera and ask him to repeat his claim for the record. That could be amusing!

 

[beachgrl001]

I agree with the poster who said that they can read whom to pressure. I just smile like an idiot who's on to them and say "No thank you, I'm covered." Usually the head drops down and they go back to the paperwork without further comment.

You want to convey the attitude that you've heard the song and dance a million times and you're not buying.

If you really feel like the guy is flatout lying to you, take out your videocamera and ask him to repeat his claim for the record. That could be amusing!

Im gettin my video camera ready!

 

[CapeCodTenor]

So I guess I'm the only person who buys the insurance huh? I travelled back home to New Mexico a couple of weeks ago for a wedding and visit family, and I got a car from Thrifty. The guy was real nice and said that he has to ask me if I want insurance and that he was sorry for doing so. I told him no problem and got the basic insurance. My thinking is, I'd rather pay the $20 extra a day and save myself problems in the future. I've just heard one to many stories where people pick up a car that was damaged from before them and they get stuck with it. So I'd rather just save the trouble.

And might I suggest Thrifty...very nice people. I've never had a problem with them.