Car Hire Insurance & Charges

[angel659]

Hi

I am thinking of hiring a car for the duration of the holiday if we feel that it is cheap enough to do so, considering it sits in the car park all day. Bruce was looking to get the car from VH for 14 days and dont book thier insurance. I.e use a seperate car insurance company like http://www.insurance4carhire.com It has been recommended on here before. I have a few concerns though.

1) Sais that they do not recommend seperate car insurances for fly drives and they will want 1,500 deposit off your credit card?

2) Airport charges, taxes and other surcharges?

Would it really be cheaper to insure the car for 14 days for only £99? If you can not use the car from the fly drive where do you hire your car to get this insurance from?

Would it just be easier to pay VH prices, even though they are more expensive than booking independantly through yes car hire.

I am all confused Can anyone offer any adive on best and cheaper way to hire a car without being stung with unnecessary insurances and charges

 

[wayneg]

Is the car free for 14 day? or is it 7 days then pay for 7 days?

Just looked at costs for 14 nights with Airline Network who we always use.
Economy with Platinum Insurance £221 or upgrade 2 sizes to Intermediate at £251 (worth the extra)

I have never done insurance separate only ever done platinum cover. When we return car they dont even look around just print off a reciept and on our way, one year they started looking around complaining about scratches and dents (already on when we collected) I said we have platinum insurance, she appologized and said she did not see it, no problem on our way. I just wonder how they would treat me if I took insurance elswhere? Would there be forms to fill in? arguments we did not do it?
Whats the real difference in cost? taking into account platinum includes a tank of fuel and additional driver and no hassle? Do these companies charge an excess if you claim?
Personally would not entertain it but I don't mind paying the extra for peace of mind.

 

[angel659]

It is free for 7 nights. VH are offering the car for free with basic insurance not including any surcharges or other insurances. I think it was an additional £21 per day to top up the insurance. I have given my dh lots of information from dollar to give to him to read and have a look through. I am happy to use Magical Express, but he likes the idea but does not like paying for any extras we wont need. As mentioned in one of my earlier threads he is an accountant and loves looking into extra prices to see do we really need that....

 

[Andy B]

Using the separate insurance is ok but the hirer may put obstacles in your way such as a deposit/card swipe of high proportions and make you pay for taxes and facility fees.

Virgin or whoever cannot make you take out their insurance but clearly they strongly reccommend as they make a cut. Often the separate cost of hiring a car is less than the additional insurances required by a tour operator.

 

[alisonbestford]

I have used insurance4carhire several times and, each time (Dollar and Alamo) swiped my credit card for 1,500, on the understanding that the amount would only be debited if I returned the car damaged

I can't remember the exact cost of the surcharges and taxes but do know that it was much less than if we'd taken the rental car, or Virgin's, insurance.

Last time we used a Walmart code from mousesavers and rented a MPV through Alamo.
We didn't have to pay for the car until we collected it and were able to cancel and re-book as better offers appeared (at no extra cost)

I also used insurance4carhire in Italy with the same agreement.
Unfortunately the car was damaged, whilst parked

The cc debit was made when I returned the car but I got the full amount back from insurance4carhire within a few days of sending them the police and damage report.

Hope this helps

 

[angel659]

Hi

Thanks for all your help. I think we will pay for a weeks hire with VH insurance. I dont like the idea of such a large amount pending on my credit card, when I will want to go shopping I think it is only $500 Dollar wanted and we will return the car to Grosvenor Hotel. That way we can either walk or get a taxi to DTD pending on how far it is to DTD and get a bus to the ticket centre. We will just have to go to US in the first week. Get Magical Express bus for the way home. After a 9 hour flight I just want to get to the resort and change. Last time our luggage didnt arrive until Mid night. We sat waiting on the bus for 45 mins before we were on our way to the hotel.