Car Hire Help Please

[thehillies]

Hello Everyone, its about time I booked a car but I am a bit confused about which insurance we should get? We will be booking a full size car with two adults and two teenagers. Can anyone help please?

Also, do you pay for the car when you get there or when you book it online? If its online will I get an extra charge for using my debit or credit card?

Thanks in advance

 

[JohnnySharp2]

We get ours direct when we book our Virgin fly-drive, if you book independantly would have to speak to whoever you book with about when and how you pay.

I would highly recommend you take out LDW - Loss damage waiver and SLI - Supplementary Liability Insurance for the car rental, you are then covered in the unlikely event of an accident etc
It does bump the price up considerably but worth it for piece of mind,.

 

[AliceGardner]

I would highly recommend you take out LDW - Loss damage waiver and SLI - Supplementary Liability Insurance for the car rental, you are then covered in the unlikely event of an accident etc
It does bump the price up considerably but worth it for piece of mind,.

I am not sure that "highly recommend" is strong enough...

LDW and SLI are the minimum you require (think they come to about $28 a day in total): otherwise if you write-off the car you are liable for the complete replacement cost and/or if you injure or kill someone you will be liable to be sued (those insurances cover you for a million or two in liability cover).

I am pretty sure that US law means that you cannot drive a rental car without suitable insurance - and rental car compaies wont allow you to rent a car from them without EITHER taking their LDW and SLI OR proving that you have other adequate insurance in place to cover any accidents.

I think that is why various "all-inclusive" car rentals (i.e. rental, all insurances, extra driver and sometimes tank of petrol) ca be so attractive for UK drivers in the US...

Alice

 

[Obi Wan Kenobi]

I always book direct with a car hire firm, normally Hertz for the extras and good prices for me.
As Alice says, LDW (Or sometimes called CDW) and SLI are really not an option, but rather like buying a acr and brakes being an option.

I hired a car in Texas one year and backed into a pole , bending the bumper. Without CDW I would have had to pay for the repair and the loss of buisness whilst that car was off the road being repaired.

One thing though. Once in Canada I had a wheel stolen off the car! LDW did not cover tyre damage or loss!!

 

[Mrs Doubtfire]

Hi
I booked online with Airline Network this year - with platinum insurance. Had to pay when I booked but didn't get charged a fee.

 

[disneyholic family]

the past few years i've booked directly with Alamo US (online) using the discount code from the Brit's guide.
The code rate includes insurance (CDW for sure, i can't remember if liability is included, but i think it is as well).

As others have said, whenever i hire a car I always add on the insurance, which can add a considerable amount to the overall cost, but really is a must. Using the Brit's Guide code, the total cost was always much cheaper than adding on the insurance separately.

I always print out the online confirmation showing exactly what's included to show at the car hire desk, just in case they try to say it's not included.

 

[wayneg]

You have to price up with as many places as you can and find the best price and which website you are comfortable booking thru. We always use Airline Network because of ease of use, after 14ish rentals never a problem, prices include all insurance needed, easy upgrade to include extra driver and tank of fuel. They sell for Dollar which we have express card so no waiting, go right to front of line(free on Dollars site)

 

[giggler]

hi,

we always book a fully inclusive package with some one like airline network or expedia (depends whos cheaper really).
that way, you can be rest assured that you have the right amount of cover. And as a extra tip already mentioned, print out your confirmation showing what your fully inclusive actually covers, so you dont have to pay extra when you get to the rental desk.

giggler