Having NEVER rented a car before...

[Jillybee]

I am again completely confused by another part of planning my family's first trip to Disney.

I signed up for the Emerald Aisle last week with National. I just got on the National site to get a quote for the 10 days we will be in WDW/Universal in February. I put in for a full-size for the 10 days. The quote came back as $240.65 - less discount of $24.07, making it $216.58. That, I could easily deal with.

NOW --- All those other charges - from loss damage waiver, supplemental ins., etc. adding to the base price above made it $685.85 YIKES!! What's with that????

I'm sure I don't need all the insurance (I'll check with my ins. co on Mon) and I did read something about VISA gold (which I have) covering some insurance.

Is this typical? If this is what I can expect to pay, I'm thinking of walking around Florida.

ANY and ALL suggestions would be extremely helpful and appreciated!! Thanks all!

Jill

 

[TravelSheryl]

If you have full coverage on your own car, it's likely you won't have to buy any insurance coverage on the rental car. Just confirm this with your automobile insurance agent.

 

[Peterd]

Check with your credit card company. We have a couple that insure you for free when you use the card. If you don't have one that insures you, shop around before your' trip, it's worth it. Then, afterwards cancel it if you want. Don't get pressured into buying the extra insurance. good luck!

 

[sherry7]

Try Dollar. Their website is www.dollar.com
I found their prices to be cheaper than anyone elses. Beware, they don't add in the surcharges (tax, etc), so you will need to grab a calculator to figure your actual rate.

 

[DebbieB]

When you sign up for Emerald Club, there is a place to automatically decline all insurance (I think it lists 2 or 3 different ones). If you do not need insurance, then change your profile to automatically decline.

I have full coverage on my personal car and use a Visa Gold, so I always decline insurance.

 

[Beverly Lynn]

Yes that was me that Mentioned the VISA or Mastercard gold usage. these will pick up whatever your car insurance doesn't. I always use these when I rent a car! my rental for aug is 147 less the 36.99 disocunt then it ocmes back down to 110! not bad then once they add the taxes and everythign back on its back up to 147! those fl surcharges really get ya!

 

[Disnydad]

Ah! A New Yorker. You mentioned checking with your insurance co, so I assume you have a New York auto policy.

Do not purchase the CDW. Your NY auto policy will cover you with a $100 deductable. This coverage is from the property damage portion of you policy. Just make sure you have more than the state minimum of $25,000 property damage coverage. A lot of rental vehicles are worth more than that.

You do not need to have collision and comprehensive coverage on you own vehicle to be covered. This is one of the perks we have here in New York. Even if you have higher deductables (who doesn't) you are only on the hook for the $100.

Just take your NY insurance ID card with you. This will prove to them you have a NY policy. I have never been asked for one, but I have policyholders who have been asked.

Go back to the National site and change your profile. That way it will not be added on to future quotes.

 

[Jillybee]

Thanks for all the help everyone. I have gone back into my profile and changed it. The quotes look A LOT better.

When renting with EA, does it make sense to request a full size? I thought I read somewhere that they will sometimes upgrade you when you get there. We are arriving on Tues. 2/12 (hopefully BEFORE the crowds hit), so maybe there will be a good selection to pick from.

One more question (if you can stand it) - the VISA gold we have is in my name. If I use this card to rent our car, am I the one who HAS to drive??? That would stink! (I would rather pay double, if it meant my husband would be doing the driving )

Disnydad ~ Thanks for all the ins. info. I live about 20 minutes south of Saratoga (all my life), and, would you believe, have NEVER been to the track. Took the boys one early morning to see the horses warm up last summer, but that's about it!

I checked my SF policy, and under property damage it does say $25,000. So, I'm guessing I'm okay. I actually do have collision and comprehenive coverage too.

Thanks again everyone! You all are really making my planning so much easier!

Jill

 

[Disnydad]

Kewl. I sell for SF! You may want to increase your property damage amount. Nowadays $25,000 is not enough. I myself have $100,000 property damage with a $2,000,000 umbrella on top of that. Not everone needs that much. You would not want to hit someones house, or worse, someones Mercedes!

 

[DebbieB]

You only need to rent an intermediate when reserving Emerald Aisle, but usually full size is the same price, so reserve full size that way you are guaranteed that if by chance there are no cars you like on the Emerald Aisle. Double check the prices of both to be sure.

 

[Riverview]

I believe your spouse can drive without extra charge if you belong to EC.
Riverview

 

[AllanJ]

Inspect the gasoline choices. It is somewhat more expensive to buy an entire tankful up front because it is impossible to use it all up without running out of gas halfway back to the airport, and whatever is left in the tank at the end is a gift to the rental company to resell to the next renter. However it may be more convenient this way.

Suggested choice: Don't buy the tankful up front. Instead promise to yourself to return it full. Second to last day or night, fill up. Last day, top it off on way back to airport.

Read the choices carefully. It is easy to make a mistake.

More Disney tips:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

9/65 Disneyland
3/75 (World Inn* off I4 near DD)
4/85 (Kon-Tiki* on 192)
'80s Disneyland once or twice
7/94 PORiv (DxL)
9/97 ASMu
11/98 ASMu
12/98 (Knights Inn on 192)
9/99 ASMo
12/00 ASSp
11/01 ASSp planned
*no longer exists

 

[DebbieB]

National has a new option for Emerald Club members where you are only charged for the gas used when returning, not the full tank. They claim it is at local prices, some think it is higher, see the thread "gassing through National". Gas prices at WDW are usually higher than offsite, so it's an option if you don't want to look for a gas station.