Clarifaction needed on the car insurance

[heatherbelle]

Hi

I've booked the car hire with Auto Europe and now don't know if I have proper car insurance.

I asked the guy about the insurance, who explained that the car was not covered for damage to the wing mirrors, roof, underside of the vechicle, tyers, interior and wind screen. The car hire is with Dollar.

he said that this was standard practice in the US. This is the first time I have heard of not being covered for these things. I thought the insurance covered everything a bit like our fully comprehensive insurance here.

Can someone please clarify if this is correct. Or do I need to find another car hire company. This is what the booking shows.

SFAR basic rental with insurances, CDW, THP rental includes all local sales taxes UMP unlimited mileage SLI (Supplementary Liability insurance) Rental includes LDW with a zero excess.

it excludes personal injuries to driver and passengers

Can anyone claify this, I am now thinking of cancelling it and booking with with VA who I know cover everything, or at least it says so on their website.

 

[wayneg]

Doesn't matter who you book with he is correct, it is standard practice. You are fully covered for all breakdowns and accidents but anything that is your own fault (locking leys inside, leaving lights on, losing keys etc) you are not covered.
They often offer you cover on arrival for this at $5/day, not something I have ever bought or ever will, I don't think its worth it but others do.
I am almost certain VA will not cover this, its an extra cover payable locally.

 

[heatherbelle]

Doesn't matter who you book with he is correct, it is standard practice. You are fully covered for all breakdowns and accidents but anything that is your own fault (locking leys inside, leaving lights on, losing keys etc) you are not covered.
They often offer you cover on arrival for this at $5/day, not something I have ever bought or ever will, I don't think its worth it but others do.
I am almost certain VA will not cover this, its an extra cover payable locally.

Thanks Wayne. if someone scratched the car whilst we were in one of the parks or pranged it, would we be covered?

 

[RudeDogg1]

i allways add because the standard one doesnt cover you for sod all its equivilent to third party. Also the us like alot of countries have really high excess like oz for example have an excess of 2k!

 

[RudeDogg1]

Thanks Wayne. if someone scratched the car whilst we were in one of the parks or pranged it, would we be covered?

when my dad took us last year with his inheritance his wife pranged something and she had to pay the excess so i expected ud have to aswell

 

[wayneg]

Thanks Wayne. if someone scratched the car whilst we were in one of the parks or pranged it, would we be covered?

You get fully inclusive cover for accidents with zero excess. Copy of their T&C's (I have highlighted the important part)

YOUR RENTAL INCLUDES

Appropriate local sales taxes at the appropriate rate(s) in force.
UMP (Uninsured / Underinsured Motorist Protection).
Unlimited mileage. SLI (Supplemental Liability Insurance).
Rental includes Loss Damage Waiver (LDW) with a ZERO excess.

RENTAL DOES NOT INCLUDE

Insurance coverage for personal injuries to driver or passengers. Optional coverage may be offered locally for an additional fee.
If not included in your rate, the rental company offers all of its vehicles to renters full of gas/petrol, and renters are charged at the commencement of the rental an amount equal to the self-service pump price. Renters are instructed to return the vehicle as empty as possible. No refund is provided for unused fuel.
Local Taxes will apply to any extras accepted locally.
Local toll, highway fees, or travel stickers required by local authorities.

i allways add because the standard one doesnt cover you for sod all its equivilent to third party. Also the us like alot of countries have really high excess like oz for example have an excess of 2k!

when my dad took us last year with his inheritance his wife pranged something and she had to pay the excess so i expected ud have to aswell

Renting a car in the US thru a UK agent almost always gives you comprehensive cover, only things not covered are things you do yourself like I listed in my last post, if you don't trust yourself to turn off lights or not lose keys etc then $5/day might be worth paying, I think its an option not required, rented approx 400 days in the US without needing it, that would have cost me $2,000 for nothing.
I can't comment on a previous accident without detail but if there is an excess on the policy (AutoEurope and many others are zero excess) then it has to be paid, the $5/day roadside assist being discussed here will not usually cover the excess.
Renting direct with a US provider and paying in $'s usually gives you less cover and extras almost certainly need to be added but each rental needs to be looked at and checked.

 

[RudeDogg1]

kinda proves my point looks like if someone hits you and you get injured you arnt covered. Thats the kinda thing id be worried about not my driving other peoples

 

[wayneg]

kinda proves my point looks like if someone hits you and you get injured you arnt covered. Thats the kinda thing id be worried about not my driving other peoples

Personal injury is covered by travel insurance, not a $5/day add on for roadside assist.

 

[heatherbelle]

kinda proves my point looks like if someone hits you and you get injured you arnt covered. Thats the kinda thing id be worried about not my driving other peoples

I would have thought you would be covered on the person's insurance that hit you though.

Thanks Wayne for claifying that. I feel better now. We have rented lots of cars before, its just I thought we were covered for everything.

Feel much better now. I know when we were in LA, my DH caught the front of the car on the curb, there was a small scratch on the bumper which we pointed out when we returned the car, but we were never asked for anything on the CC.

When I rang though, I spoke to someone in the US not in the UK.

Have you checked your dates again for the car, as this was the cheapest price I could find. I was all set to go with Hertz, but their prices have shot up. I thought it best to lock in now as you can always cancel with this company for no charge.

 

[wayneg]

Have you checked your dates again for the car, as this was the cheapest price I could find. I was all set to go with Hertz, but their prices have shot up. I thought it best to lock in now as you can always cancel with this company for no charge.

AutoEurope are cheapest just now for us but I am still hopeful for a lower price. They are quoting £507 (after £38 Quidco) I hope to get it down to nearer £450 same as last years price. This is for 18 days 7 seater extra drivers & tank of gas.

Cost will be split between 2 families so its not too bad but you know me I don't like parting with my money.

 

[heatherbelle]

A true Yorkshireman! I don't like spending mine either, so when that glitch comes along, I will be cancelling I'll leave it to your eagle eyes to spot it as always.

Fantastic job you did on those M+M flights for your friend.

 

[wayneg]

A true Yorkshireman! I don't like spending mine either, so when that glitch comes along, I will be cancelling I'll leave it to your eagle eyes to spot it as always.

Fantastic job you did on those M+M flights for your friend.

Worked out quite well for me also, I have sold him 37,500 airmiles which will go nicely towards my tax bill due at the end of this month.