Collision Damage Waiver (CDW)

[duffdo]

A little advice please:

I am booked to stay 21 nights at SSR in October 2013. I am led to believe that you cannot book flights until 11 months prior to your return date. I have just discovered Travel City are offering Virgin Fly-Drive packages on the dates we need from Manchester (we are travelling 30th October, returning 20th November.) The return flights and basic car for the two of us come to £1150, which seems like a good deal. However, to upgrade to their "fully inclusive package," the only significant inclusion in which appears to be CDW, adds on another £370.

Is CDW worth it?

Thanks

 

[wayneg]

What size car?
Basically if you take the car you need the insurance. You don't take a car without insurance in the US.

Another option is don't collect the car, book your own thru a UK agent. If you tell TCD they will charge you an unpackaging fee so you don't tell them. Many of us have done it this way.
Had a quick look at cost for 3 weeks this year via this link, Compact car £296.65 less 5% Quidco = £281.82.

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/othe...e/734198-holidayautos-discount-worldwide.html

That would save you £90 if same size car and no increases for next year. You might find a deal nearer, no-one knows. I just booked a car recently for next month and got 25% off.

 

[paulh]

the car is always free,never have paid for one in 20years of going.but we have always had to pay for the insurance
Paul

 

[stoneyloon]

I get my own annual insurance to cover this, it worked out much cheaper. I'm not sure if it's worth it for 3weeks but my renewal is just in so will check later and update.

 

[duffdo]

Thanks. It is just the basic Economy car (Chevrolet Aveo.) It comes included with basic insurance, but £370 seems a bit excessive for an "add on" to this, especially if I don't need it!

 

[wayneg]

I get my own annual insurance to cover this, it worked out much cheaper. I'm not sure if it's worth it for 3weeks but my renewal is just in so will check later and update.

It used to be about £99/year, not priced it recently, not a way I would do it myself but I know some do.

Thanks. It is just the basic Economy car (Chevrolet Aveo.) It comes included with basic insurance, but £370 seems a bit excessive for an "add on" to this, especially if I don't need it!

You would probably save around £100 booking thru a UK agent.
If you take their car then yes you need CDW/fully inclusive insurance.

 

[flortlebap]

I suppose it depends whether you crash or not

Probably not worth the risk.

 

[duffdo]

It used to be about £99/year, not priced it recently, not a way I would do it myself but I know some do.



You would probably save around £100 booking thru a UK agent.
If you take their car then yes you need CDW/fully inclusive insurance.

Thanks, where did you get this from?

 

[wayneg]

Thanks, where did you get this from?

You mean the £99 annual cover?

Just checked price, its £119 less 25% Quidco = £89.25.
Details http://www.insurance4carhire.com/usa_canada_31.asp?subRefID=0&pageID=41&refID=852&langID=1&curID=1

Not something I would buy myself, if I have an accident I want the car rental company to come and collect and bring me a new one, if I dent it I want to drop it off at the airport and leave it behind, I don't want to get home and start with insurance claims.
They have too much smallprint for me, very few people use this type of insurance but its there if you want to read the T&C's.

 

[duffdo]

Many thanks for this. I guess it is worth looking into!

 

[stoneyloon]

As my friend (who sells insurance amongst other things) says "you don't need insurance, until you need it!!!"

 

[wayneg]

As my friend (who sells insurance amongst other things) says "you don't need insurance, until you need it!!!"

So true. My financial advisor advised me to buy Health insurance 15 years ago, cost was £120/month, I would have paid in £21,600 upto now without inflation so no doubt over £25,000. I have just paid £120 to see a specialist next Wednesday, maybe I will regret not having insurance

 

[michele557]

If it is Alamo through Virgin, the small print at the back states if you dont take out CDW then you must produce a CC at Alamo when you collect the car with a limit of at least $1500 and you will be liable for all damage or loss of the vehicle regardless of fault. Just to warn you x