hire car insurance

[jubileegirl]

Just wondered if any fellow Brits have hired a car in Florida and NOT needed to take out all the insurance which bumps up the bill!
I don't mean you've taken a risk that all would work out OK, but that you've not needed to get the insurance in the first place because you have cover through some other means eg by booking with certain credit cards which automatically give you full cover.
I found this info but haven't heard about anyone who has actually benefited from it. Obviously it could save quite a bit on the cost of hiring a car but you would have to be pretty sure your info was right or it could end up costing you an arm and a leg if anything went wrong!

 

[rob@rar.org.uk]

For several years I've had the American Express Premium travel insurance policy which includes cover for car hire in North America. It's saved me $$$s over the cost of the inclusive policies that the tour operators charge for the 'free' car that comes with flydrives or package holidays. The acid test for independent insurance is what happens if you claim, which, fortunately, I've not had to do. However, I have no reason to believe that the Amex policy is any worse than the policies offered by the tour operators. There is a small amount of extra hassle in taking out independent insurance for car hire, but for me this is more than compensated by the money I've saved.

Regards

Rob

 

[Hilary]

We've used the NatWest policy specifically for this (was £75 per annum), and had no problems - although, as Rob says, we didn't have to put it to the test (fortunately!).

When I say "...had no problems...", I mean that Dollar, Hertz or whoever have not queried the insurance, although we have had to leave a cc imprint (nothing actually deducted - just held as security) for $1500. You also still have to pay local charges which can add up to around $150 for 2 weeks hire of an intermediate.

 

[jubileegirl]

Thanks, Rob and Hilary. Very helpful comments!
Not sure what we'll do - trouble is, Disboard advice has given me a taste for getting a bargain and it seems short-sighted to just pay up without some detective work first (think I'm driving my poor husband around the bend with so many cunning plans!!)

Best wishes,

Alison

 

[Jacqui.s]

If you don't have a credit card, it might be worth checking out these people:

http://www.insurance4carhire.com/

They charge 99 pounds for annual coverage. I believe their policy is underwitten by the same company that provides coverage for Amex Travel Inusrance & Natwest credit card policies.

 

[jubileegirl]

Thanks, Jacqui, a useful link.