Car Rental Codes? Buy the insurance?

[MKCP5]

I need to rent a car in Salt Lake City in May. I'm finding some decent rates, but of course would like to find a better one. Anyone have tips or codes?
Also, I usually decline the extra coverage but idk, just feeling a little more anxious about doing that than I have in the past. I read that some credit cards cover your insurance if it charged on the card. I called my cc tonight and the rep had absolutely no idea if that was accurate. He wanted to ask his supervisor and we were put into a queue and thirty minutes later it dumped us out and we were going to have to start all over again. I decided I will call tomorrow. I just didn't feel like waiting again.

Give me your thoughts please! Thanks

 

[AgentMama]

We decline the insurance because we're covered under our auto insurance policy. I would definitely verify you are covered under either your credit card or other insurance policy you hold before declining the coverage. We take the extra coverage when we rent cars out of the country because our auto insurance does not cover and neither do our credit cards.

 

[Eastern]

You can probably look up the terms and conditions for your cc coverage online. Don't waste your time on a phone call. Also, it's better to have things in writing rather than a random rep telling you something. Make sure you search the exact card you have as there are many variations.

Sometimes there are additional discounts if you join the car rental company's loyalty program. Also look through Costco, AAA, etc to compare rates. I usually just do an internet search for a company's current discounts.

 

[trenty]

I have not rented in quite a while, but in the past I have always found the best rates at autoslashDOTcom. They even used to let me know if better rates were available after the rental was reserved.

I always decline insurance because I use my Chase Sapphire Preferred which gives the coverage.

 

[Disneyfan754321]

I have not rented in quite a while, but in the past I have always found the best rates at autoslashDOTcom. They even used to let me know if better rates were available after the rental was reserved.

I always decline insurance because I use my Chase Sapphire Preferred which gives the coverage.

I was going to say the same thing, the first time it said costco the second time it said priceline. It also watches the price and alerts you if it goes down. If you want insurance take it online ( Google it) it's always cheaper than at the counter.

 

[DL1WDW2]

This might have been discussed in a November thread... but a few small rental companies were requiring actual proof of your insurance coverage document before allowing you to decline their insurance.
Also consider the return rental car process if you declined insurance and then something happened ... Now you are required to wait and fill out forms and might miss your flight... Just need to be smart Every step of the way Nowadays.

 

[SandyinMonterey]

We are covered renting cars thru our car insurance an credit card so we always decline the extra coverage. As far as tips go....sign up for car rental company(s) reward programs. There are usually a "coupon" or discount on their website. If you see a price you can live with, pull the trigger. Except DO NOT PAY IN FULL UP FRONT. If you pay up front, it usually isn't refundable. Make sure whatever you book is refundable. If you see a better deal/price down the road...cancel and re-book.

 

[_19disnA]

I would avoid those very small rental companies since it seems like a game with them to push a bunch of hidden charges on you. Honestly, who carries their actual insurance policy documents with them? Haggling with their counter person would be annoying and a waste of your time. Major rental car companies also let you reserve/pay for the vehicle online and if you belong to the free rental club (name varies by company), you can go directly to your car without ever waiting in line at a counter. Just say no to any of the extras they try to sell you. Always return the vehicle with a full tank of gas to avoid exorbitant 'refueling' surcharges. For future reference, I would call your insurance company to see what they do/don't cover relating to rental cars so you will know.

 

[MKCP5]

I sent an email to our insurance company. This was their reply.
"Under the auto policy you only have coverage on the vehicle if you have a claim. They limits you currently have will follow the rental. The only coverage that is not covered is loss of use. This means if you have an accident and they are unable to rent that car for the time it is out of commission due to your accident comes out of your pocket. I hope this helps. "

So we aren't responsible for the damage, but for the days the car is out of commission? That's useless. It could sit for weeks waiting to be repaired.

 

[tvguy]

My credit card covers me, as does my auto insurance so I waiver it. It hasn't stopped the hard sell at the rental counter. "You might be on the hook for thousands of dollars until coverage is sorted out". One year I printed out the FAQ from the VISA on auto rental coverage and had a clerk give me that line about having to pay out thousands up while liabiliity is resolved and, paraphrasing, the FAQ said "if the rental company accepts VISA, they have agreed to deal directly and exclusively with VISA for reimbursement in the event of an accident and not require any additional payment from the cardholder"

 

[tvguy]

I sent an email to our insurance company. This was their reply.
"Under the auto policy you only have coverage on the vehicle if you have a claim. They limits you currently have will follow the rental. The only coverage that is not covered is loss of use. This means if you have an accident and they are unable to rent that car for the time it is out of commission due to your accident comes out of your pocket. I hope this helps. "

So we aren't responsible for the damage, but for the days the car is out of commission? That's useless. It could sit for weeks waiting to be repaired.

I read something several years back that the rental companies had abandoned their efforts to get paid for loss of use because smart customers discovered they could demand proof of loss of use. I guess some rental companies would take their time getting damaged cars in for repairs. But folks went to court and argued if a repair estimate said a repair needed 8 hours labor, the rental car company could not bill for more than 8 hours loss of use. Apparently the courts agreed.

 

[_19disnA]

^^ I agree, that 'insurance' or whatever the rental companies call it is simply a way to tack on an added fee when renting to those who don't know how that all works. I have always declined it which usually costs more per day then the actual rental. Another good reason to use a rental company where you just go directly to your car and avoid the haggling at the counter.

 

[EACarlson]

Always use www.autoslash.com both to book and then to monitor your rate to see if you can get a better one. They've saved me over $1k in the last two years on rental cars.

Most credit cards off secondary rental car insurance, which means that they will pay your deductible and anything above your insurance coverage, but it goes through your auto insurance first. The exceptions to this are Chase Sapphire Preferred, Reserve and American Express coverage. Chase is free, automatic and primary for $50,000. American Express cost a small amount, must be signed up for and primary but I don't know the limits. This is the number one reason I keep my Chase Sapphire Preferred with it's $95 Annual Fee.

 

[MKCP5]

Honestly I am discouraged by all of the looking. I know I have no right to complain when I am fortunate enough to be able to take this trip...if it occurs because of covid. I don't seem to find clear answers on cancellation policies, plenty of insurance to buy for cancellation, more insurance to buy to protect the car while we are using it, and with rental and fees amounting to double the cost of our airfare! I just don't want to feel taken advantage of or lose all of the $$ if the trip doesn't occur. I usually enjoy the planning and the hunt for good deals but I am feeling beaten down. Maybe it's just a bad day.

 

[trenty]

Honestly I am discouraged by all of the looking. I know I have no right to complain when I am fortunate enough to be able to take this trip...if it occurs because of covid. I don't seem to find clear answers on cancellation policies, plenty of insurance to buy for cancellation, more insurance to buy to protect the car while we are using it, and with rental and fees amounting to double the cost of our airfare! I just don't want to feel taken advantage of or lose all of the $$ if the trip doesn't occur. I usually enjoy the planning and the hunt for good deals but I am feeling beaten down. Maybe it's just a bad day.

I know when I reserve with autoslash, no credit card or money has been taken before I actually arrive at my destination and pick up the car. It has always been very easy to cancel.

 

[EACarlson]

I know when I reserve with autoslash, no credit card or money has been taken before I actually arrive at my destination and pick up the car. It has always been very easy to cancel.

This, exactly this. Right now I won't book anything that is not cancellable without charge until at most 72 hours before. With Autoslash you book through priceline. Neither priceline nor the rental company have your credit card information.

 

[MKCP5]

I know when I reserve with autoslash, no credit card or money has been taken before I actually arrive at my destination and pick up the car. It has always been very easy to cancel.

Thank you. I will look at them again. I appreciate it.