Car hire

[jen_uk]

Ive been getting prices for car insurance and I am totally confused by all of the insurance!!

How much do you normally pay for your car and insurance? Virgin offer third party insurace for free but would this be enough or is it wise to upgrade which would add another £250 on?

Finally, what type of insurance do I need? The list appears to be endless of what is offered!

 

[Jakey Rowling]

It's not wise but essential to upgrade. You need CDW(LDW) and SLI as a minimum as recently discussed in this thread.
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1559627&referrerid=&highlight=insurance

You don't state how long your rental period is so its hard to say whether £250 is good or not.
Normally it works out better to DIY the car yourself, even if it's included in the package price.

Don't phone virgin to cancel, just don't collect the car or they will probably increase the package price in some other way.

Do a search on car hire on these boards and you'll get a lot of links to various potential suppliers. They will offer one or more package types combined with deals for additional drivers, petrol etc so you need to work out whats best for you.
As long as you have the above as a minimum you should be OK

 

[penlanspice]

If you have the car with a package holiday don't take their insurance it's a rip off.

For the last 3 years i've had a policy (for some unknow reason the name of the company has escaped my brain, but I know several on these boards have used them, so im sure somone will be along) and it cost around 100 or 110 pounds, it's an annual policy and we've managed to get upto 4 trips out of 1policy.
You just show the policy at the rental counter.

 

[Claire L]

If you have the car with a package holiday don't take their insurance it's a rip off.

For the last 3 years i've had a policy (for some unknow reason the name of the company has escaped my brain, but I know several on these boards have used them, so im sure somone will be along) and it cost around 100 or 110 pounds, it's an annual policy and we've managed to get upto 4 trips out of 1policy.
You just show the policy at the rental counter.

I have heard some companies are now refusing to accept a policy you hold from another company and state you must buy theirs, not sure how much of a problem this is and if they can refuse to hire the car to you. Just a word of advice to check with the car hire company you are using.

As for insurance yes get the best cover you can as damage to car can cost alot to repair especially if a write off

Claire

 

[penlanspice]

I have heard some companies are now refusing to accept a policy you hold from another company and state you must buy theirs, not sure how much of a problem this is and if they can refuse to hire the car to you. Just a word of advice to check with the car hire company you are using.

As for insurance yes get the best cover you can as damage to car can cost alot to repair especially if a write off

Claire

Wow hadn't heard that, didn't think they could either.
We last used ours in May this year several times at San Fran, Vegas, Hawaii and LAX with alamo and dollar without a problem.

 

[wayneg]

Get a price from http://www.airline-network.co.uk/carhire/ to give you a good starting price.
If its 2 weeks you are looking for full size car it would be £242 incl all insurance. You can upgrade then for £27 to Platinum which gives you a tank of fuel and additional drivers, we do this as it would cost $50 to fill the car anyway so we add DW for free for any emergencies, adding her locally would cost at least $140 ($10+/day)
They are always around the best prices, if you see better elsewhere then it will be a very good price.
Like it has been said don't inform Virgin, they charge a surcharge if you opt for no car. Just don't pick it up and rent elswhere.
I am still not convinced about the annual policies, maybe someday but I like to take the complete rental package.
Always sign up for the fast track scheme for whichever rental company you choose, it can save you an hour+ each visit.

 

[Claire L]

Like it has been said don't inform Virgin, they charge a surcharge if you opt for no car. Just don't pick it up and rent elswhere.

Virgin Holidays only charge for no car if you book a fly-drive only. If you have a hotel/villa booked then you will not be charged for no car. You can easily opt for no car as there is a box to fill in just for their info ie being collected by Aunty Flo!

Claire