Car Hire - Small Print

[Chilly]

Before I book my holiday i've been reading the small print regarding the car hire included and i'm not sure what it all means, esp the bits about paying more money when i'm there, can anyone help explain it to me.

What's included in your car hire?

Third party liability coverage to $1 million. In order to take out car hire with Dollar it is a requirement that you upgrade to Gold or Platinum Insurance, this can be done online or on arrival at your destination.

And what's not included...

State environment surcharge ($2.05 per car per day)
Airport Handing Fee and Airport Operating Free ($6.00 per car per day). The Airport Operating Fee also requires payment of an additional 10% on all options purchased
Vehicle License fee of 3.5% and Rental Tax of 6% applicable to the West Coast USA
State Sales Tax of 6.7% on other taxable items of rental (excluding LDW and SLI)
UMP - Underinsured Motorist Protection ($5.99 per car per day). This provides up to $1,000,000 cover for bodily injury sustained whilst driving the rental car caused by an underinsured/uninsured driver
Optional LDW - Loss Damage Waiver ($18.99 per car per day). This covers all rental vehicle damage, regardless of fault. NB without LDW cover, Dollar will require you to produce a credit card with at least $1,500 available credit. We strongly recommend pre-purchasing on of its insurance packages or taking this

 

[Chilly]

Bump

 

[Boo Boo Too]

You looking to rent directly with Dollar?

Are you sure that you are pre-paying with booking? Most rental companies tend to offer a pre-apid option to UK customers which includes all taxes and insurances etc.

Basically your quote is very basic - includes the rental cost and basic public liability.

You SHOULD take the LDW insurance ($18.99 a day) - otherwise you will be liable for ANYTHING that happens to the car (any scratch, nick or even a write-off). You also have to pay all of the additional taxes and things shown - they are not optional.

Basically you may have what looks like a "low quote", but it wont be by the time you have added all of the extras on... my advice is to look around for an inclusive quote - you know what you are getting and paying then...

Boo

 

[Chilly]

No it is included in the package with My Travel.

 

[Boo Boo Too]

No it is included in the package with My Travel.

Er, what do you mean?

Are you happy with everything else?

Have you tried getting a quote through www.dollar.co.uk? I have had a QUICK look there and their rates seem to be quoted in £s and are inclusive off:
* Unlimited mileage.
* LDW (Loss Damage Waiver).
* SLI (Supplemental Liability Insurance).
* UMP (Uninsured / Underinsured Motorist Protection).
* Taxes & fees.
* CFC (Customer Facility Charge) and HSF (Homeland Security Fee).

That sounds a LOT more suitable for you...

Boo

 

[Chilly]

I don't think i'm going to book with My Travel anymore once you add up all that it is loads more money TCD has everything included and is only £250 more.

 

[Chilly]

Er, what do you mean?

Are you happy with everything else?

Have you tried getting a quote through www.dollar.co.uk? I have had a QUICK look there and their rates seem to be quoted in £s and are inclusive off:
* Unlimited mileage.
* LDW (Loss Damage Waiver).
* SLI (Supplemental Liability Insurance).
* UMP (Uninsured / Underinsured Motorist Protection).
* Taxes & fees.
* CFC (Customer Facility Charge) and HSF (Homeland Security Fee).

That sounds a LOT more suitable for you...

Boo

I priced the holiday on the My Travel website and you get car hire with Dollar included so I checked the small print and thats where I found all those extra charges.

 

[Boo Boo Too]

I priced the holiday on the My Travel website and you get car hire with Dollar included so I checked the small print and thats where I found all those extra charges.

Ah I see! Would have been a good thing to put in the Original Post... (would have saved some time and me some effort...)

There you go, you have answered your own question then - always beware of hidden extras...

Boo

 

[Chilly]

Ah I see! Would have been a good thing to put in the Original Post... (would have saved some time and me some effort...)

There you go, you have answered your own question then - always beware of hidden extras...

Boo

Sorry

 

[wicket2005]

I priced the holiday on the My Travel website and you get car hire with Dollar included so I checked the small print and thats where I found all those extra charges.

It is the same in all the package holidays, you get a free car but have to pay for the insurance or leave a credit card number with your car rental company on arrival to cover for damages/accidents to others. The travel company then will give you the option of paying for the insurance prior to arrival (which is what we do) and there is usually two standards say Gold and Premium. The more expensive package usually covers another driver, car seats for kids, etc. We usually just go for the Gold insurance which covers you for all the things you mention.

It is extremely important that you take insurance out on the car and it usually is cheaper to do this beforehand rather than when you arrive at the check in desk for the car. Remember you are not just covering damage to the car but also legal costs if you hurt someone else and are sued.

 

[wayneg]

there is usually two standards say Gold and Premium. The more expensive package usually covers another driver, car seats for kids, etc. We usually just go for the Gold insurance which covers you for all the things you mention.

Always check out the difference between the 2 options. Especially if you are using Airnet (Airline Network) Sometimes its a free upgrade and it includes full tank of gas.

 

[merlin307]

I always use floridcarhire.com - they offer all inclusive packages (everything paid for up front) and use Dollar/Alamo - tow weeks intermediate hire in April £240 (included extra drivers, full tnak of fuel, unlimted mileage etc)
Its worth organising everything up fron then you only have to pick up the keys and head off..............

 

[Boo Boo Too]

Sorry

That's ok, I'll forgive you

Hope that you get it all sorted out

Best Wishes,
Boo

 

[jdybnsn]

Just worth noting that very often with these 'free' hire cars you do not actually have to take the car (check with the operator individual concerned). You just do not pick them up - its a common practice.

We have had them included in a package before now but have hired a car independently which has infact worked out alot cheaper.

PS There may well be others, but TCD are the only package company I can think of that sell you the car fully insured.