Car insurance

[Verity Chambers]

We have car hire through our package, but did't take up the car insurace as it seemed ridiculously expensive. Can we get it on the net somewhere or at Dollar (or is it Alamo, ca't remember!!) or should I just bite the bullet and pay it with our package.

Thaks for ay help! x

 

[irenep]

I looked at getting insurance4carhire last year but they don't recommend it for the type of fly-drive to Florida that I wanted it for. Spoke to them on the phone to ask why and its because when you get to the counter at the airport, the car hire company may not approve it - so you then end up buying from them as well anyway.
Apparently the deals they do with the holiday companies means that the only way they make a profit is on the insurance ( or so I was told).
There may be other companies that will do it but I decided just to go with the VH package.

 

[Shooby doo]

We have never taken the "free" car as like you have already found out their insurance is a rip off! I've used www.holidayautos.co.uk 3 times previous & on our next trip so check out their site.I've never tried the insurance only but I don't see how they can refuse you? Do a forum search on the subject as I'm sure that I have read of a Company that did do it for around £100 on an annual policy.
HTH SD

 

[barbarah]

Just ignore the car voucher that Virgin gives you and book a car with someone else including insurance and gold cover if you want more than I driver. Have done this several times on Virigin and BA holiday and was even advised to do this by a travel agent once.

Several companies give good rates. Some I had used are below.

usrentacar.co.uk (best rates and then choose which company to use, Alamo, Dollar or Budget)

airlinenetwork.co.uk (tends to be Dollar only)

hertz.co.uk (some people get good rates from them)

I tend to only use usrentacar as they have been cheapest for me. At Orlando I prefer Alamo purely because you get to choose your own car and then you can check out boot sizes and extras in the car as to what you prefer as well as colour (purely a woman thing).

Ignore all the crap that the rental car counter guys try to sell you and just say no thanks I just want the car I booked. It is annoying but they all do it to earn more commission I guess.

 

[tigger137]

Just ignore the car voucher that Virgin gives you and book a car with someone else including insurance and gold cover if you want more than I driver. Have done this several times on Virigin and BA holiday and was even advised to do this by a travel agent once.

Several companies give good rates. Some I had used are below.

usrentacar.co.uk (best rates and then choose which company to use, Alamo, Dollar or Budget)

airlinenetwork.co.uk (tends to be Dollar only)

hertz.co.uk (some people get good rates from them)

I tend to only use usrentacar as they have been cheapest for me. At Orlando I prefer Alamo purely because you get to choose your own car and then you can check out boot sizes and extras in the car as to what you prefer as well as colour (purely a woman thing).

Ignore all the crap that the rental car counter guys try to sell you and just say no thanks I just want the car I booked. It is annoying but they all do it to earn more commission I guess.

I agree. You should be able to book a car with gold cover for less than VH charge for their insurance package.

We like Alamo for the same reason, that you can choose which car you want. Plus they are on the airport in Orlando, so no messing with shuttle buses. And when you're getting off a Virgin flight it's worth using anyone EXCEPT Dollar, which is where the greater majority of your fellow passengers will be heading! If you pre-register online for Alamo's Direct Road service, you simply put the credit card you used to book into the machine, it prints your paperwork, and off you go to choose your car. So no sales hassle from the rental agents on the counter.

We've used airlinenetwork and usrentacar, but for the last couple of years have had the best deals from yescarhire.com. When looking recently, have also discovered uscarhire.co.uk, who are offering the lowest prices for our next trip so we plan to give them a try.