Help! Rental car insurance ...

[eyeheartgoofy]

We have rented a minivan from Budget - our total will come to $249.00 with taxes and everything thanks to a coupon found here a couple months back.

However, last year, the rental car place made us take out insurance to the tune of $30.00 - 40.00 a day - whatever it was, it nearly doubled the price of the rental car. The last time we rented a car prior to this was about 6 years ago and we didn't have to pay for insurance b/c our personal auto policy covered us in rental cars. The rental agent told us we had no choice last year and we couldn't waive the coverage. Do we have a choice? I am confused.

Thanks.

 

[OntFamily]

The vast majority of rental agents are paid a commission based on the extra services they can add to your bill. Insurance is the biggest add-on.

You can always refuse (if you coudn't - why would they have a spot on the contract to initial your refusal or acceptance). If it was mandatory, it would be automatically be included in the contract rate. If the agent continues to insist, give a quick call on your cell phone to the rental car companies 1-800 number and ask the call centre operator the question - you'll find the agent will change the wording of "mandatory" to "strongly recommended".

However, I always bring with me proof of insurance (you'll need that if you're in an accident).


What company did you use? I've had greater sales pushes from some companies (ie Alamo), and no strong pressure from Avis or Budget (now they are the same company - Cendant).

 

[seashoreCM]

You can initial the "decline" space even when the agent points his finger on the "accept" space. But don't sign or initial anything if the dollar amount to the right includes something like collision coverage you don't want.

A small number of companies (Payless, L&M, EZ, to name a few) reserve the right not to rent to you if you neither accept their collision waiver nor have collision insurance on your car back at home that extends to rental cars.

Also a small number of companies reserve the right not to rent to you if you are a resident of a different country (for example a U.S. citizen in France) and try to decline their coverage.

You should check the policies or rules of the rental company before booking. Their web site should have these rules.

Aside from this the company must rent to you even if you decline the coverage.

If you run into this problem again, go to the payphone on the back wall of the rental agency and (1) call the company's headquarters and (2) if applicable call the travel agent with whom you made the reservation.

If you don't have your own insurance coverage that extends to rental cars and don't have a credit card that covers rental collision damage, even I suggest that you accept what the company has available.

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

 

[eyeheartgoofy]

Thanks for the helpful information - I really appreciate it. I don't remember who we used last year, but I am going to pull my old CC statements to see. I am also calling Budget before we leave so I am prepared. Thanks again

 

[allustoms]

Our credit card has damage / collision insurance if you use that card to pay for the rental. It is actually the only time we ever use that card.

Our personal liability insurance covers any liability claims against us regardless of whether we are driving our own vehicle or a rental. Check into yours.

 

[antmaril]

I always bring proof of our insurance and I have a letter from my insurance agent telling me I do not need to buy the extra insurance. It makes me feel better when they give me the hard sell.

 

[scammermom]

Last May when we used Alamo (never again), they really tried to sell me the insurance. One lady was in the parking garage in tears because the man said she had to have it and wouldn't give her a car unless she bought it. I told her to call Alamo corporate asap. Isn't like a legal contract that you have so many days to get out of??? In MD, it's 3 days. Just curious.

 

[eyeheartgoofy]

Well, we managed to avoid the insurance this year. They gave us the hard sell again - even handed us the invoice for over $400.00 that included the insurance! DH told them twice that he declined and we ended up paying $249.99! Thanks for the help!

 

[seashoreCM]

You do not necessarily have three days to cancel a contract you signed not in your own home for example at the rental counter.

You may change your mind on terms in a car rental contract a few minutes after you sign it provided you have not touched the car, and the agent must redo the contract subject to the written policies of the agency and your reservation.

Not sure whether they still have it but Alamo some years ago let you change your mind on insurance coverages, tankful of gas, and a few other options if you came back within 24 hours.

 

[DawnCt1]

American Express a Premier rental insurance. I like this because it is affordable; $25 per rental period and covers so much that if one was in a fender bender, they wouldn't even have to involve their own insurance.
https://www152.americanexpress.com/fsea/travel/car_rental/product.do

 

[PURTYPAT1]

subscribing

 

[PlutosFriend]

Last May when we used Alamo (never again), they really tried to sell me the insurance. One lady was in the parking garage in tears because the man said she had to have it and wouldn't give her a car unless she bought it. I told her to call Alamo corporate asap. Isn't like a legal contract that you have so many days to get out of??? In MD, it's 3 days. Just curious.

We used Alamo in May and they tried to scare us into the insurance also My dh was about to go for it. TG I stood my ground. The agent started talking about us having to pay for every day the car was being repaired, and them not being able to rent it out. Hmph!

 

[seashoreCM]

The agent started talking about us having to pay for every day the car was being repaired, and them not being able to rent it out.

For most companies he is right. It's called "loss of use." Your credit card or your own car insurance may or may not cover that. You still get to choose whether or not to take their coverage which does cover that.

 

[DawnCt1]

For most companies he is right. It's called "loss of use." Your credit card or your own car insurance may or may not cover that. You still get to choose whether or not to take their coverage which does cover that.

Most credit cards do not cover loss of use. The Amex premium plan does.

 

[PlutosFriend]

Most credit cards do not cover loss of use. The Amex premium plan does.

Thanks for sharing this info with us! Sounds like such a good idea!

 

[CarolA]

For most companies he is right. It's called "loss of use." Your credit card or your own car insurance may or may not cover that. You still get to choose whether or not to take their coverage which does cover that.

Yeah they love that one. If they EVER try to pull it on you, you have the RIGHT to ask for thier records to PROVE that they actually LOST revenue. (My company used to ask for them and as soon as that request was delivered that was the end of the "loss of use" request for reimbursement.

They can get loss of use if they LOST revenue. It's pretty rare (President's Day, Christmas) that they lose revenue because ALL of the other midsize cars are rented out for example.

 

[DawnCt1]

Thanks for sharing this info with us! Sounds like such a good idea!

Rental companies have to prove that 97% or more of their rental fleet is rented before they can recover loss of use, but who wants the hassle? For $25 per rental period, it is just worth it. Would I avoid the hassle for what the rental companies cost? Nope!

 

[nyfinfan]

Rental companies have to prove that 97% or more of their rental fleet is rented before they can recover loss of use, but who wants the hassle? For $25 per rental period, it is just worth it. Would I avoid the hassle for what the rental companies cost? Nope!

+1

Thanks for the heads-up on Amex's coverage. I have Amex Blue and wouldn't have known about it.

 

[bab31]

American Express a Premier rental insurance. I like this because it is affordable; $25 per rental period and covers so much that if one was in a fender bender, they wouldn't even have to involve their own insurance.
https://www152.americanexpress.com/fsea/travel/car_rental/product.do

Thank you - I plan on traveling this summer using American express miles so this is just what I need!