Rental car insurance

[Nermel9]

Hi guys!

I'll be in Disney next month, and I just got a pretty decent rate through Alamo using the Costco discount! While I'm happy about that, that means that I can't check in online or using the kiosk, so I have to go to the counter.

They always try to pressure me into getting the car rental insurance, which I don't want. I know my credit card covers rental cars, if we happen to run into a problem, and I'm also going to check with my car insurance company at home to see if they cover also. I just hate how they make you feel like you're committing a crime if you don't get it at the counter!

I don't HAVE to get the rental insurance, right? Nothing has changed since last year, has it? Just making sure, in case they try to tell me it's mandatory or something!

TIA!

 

[gmeh1]

Hi guys!

I'll be in Disney next month, and I just got a pretty decent rate through Alamo using the Costco discount! While I'm happy about that, that means that I can't check in online or using the kiosk, so I have to go to the counter.

They always try to pressure me into getting the car rental insurance, which I don't want. I know my credit card covers rental cars, if we happen to run into a problem, and I'm also going to check with my car insurance company at home to see if they cover also. I just hate how they make you feel like you're committing a crime if you don't get it at the counter!

I don't HAVE to get the rental insurance, right? Nothing has changed since last year, has it? Just making sure, in case they try to tell me it's mandatory or something!

TIA!

No, it is not mandatory at all. Just keep saying "NO" and tell the agent you don't wish to be asked again.

 

[SamSam]

It's thier job to try and upsell, so just keep saying 'No, I don't need it'. They are just doing their job, and you know what you're covered for, so just a polite 'No, I don't need it' is fine.

 

[sympatico]

Your credit card will cover the collision for your rental car but it doesn't cover 3rd party liability if another car or person is involved. Find out from your own car insurance if your liability will extend to cover you while you're there.
I had a small fender bender last year and the credit card covered my rental but didn't cover the car I backed into. I had gotten the liability insurance from Alamo/National and they looked after the other vehicle. ( My insurance company wouldn't extend my liability coverage, we've since changed companies to one that will.) So make sure you're covered for liability or you may be sued for thousands if you cause an accident and there's lots of damage or someone gets hurt.

 

[Luv2Diz]

I booked my Alamo car using Costco last year and I was able to use the kiosk without any problems.

(I hate the Alamo rental counter at Orlando - I went to the counter on a previous trip and their agents are far pushier than I have encountered in other places. The guy insisted on pushing all kinds of insurance, trying to tell me my personal insurance was no good in Florida. That IF a hurricane came during our trip, I would be responsible for the entire cost of the car if damaged, etc. The kids were laughing at me saying no louder and louder as he kept trying to push all kinds of optional insurance!)

 

[gmeh1]

I booked my Alamo car using Costco last year and I was able to use the kiosk without any problems.

(I hate the Alamo rental counter at Orlando - I went to the counter on a previous trip and their agents are far pushier than I have encountered in other places. The guy insisted on pushing all kinds of insurance, trying to tell me my personal insurance was no good in Florida. That IF a hurricane came during our trip, I would be responsible for the entire cost of the car if damaged, etc. The kids were laughing at me saying no louder and louder as he kept trying to push all kinds of optional insurance!)

Every single car rental company does exactly the same thing. They have to meet quotas. I listen to Budget and L&M every single day. Only cause I walk between them to get to the "tunnel".

 

[jlewisinsyr]

IMO, better to insure yourself properly day to day, then it would be to purchase CDW, LDW, etc for a rental car company. The cost for a week of CDW/LDW coverage costs applied to your regular insurance would buy a lot of coverage. Now the exception to this would be when you have insurance that does not carry over to rental cars, but then I'd look to add a rider or buy different insurance first (unless your international).

 

[Nermel9]

Thank you everyone, for the info!

I had my DH call our car insurance company, to ask if they cover rentals, and they do! They said the policy that you have just transfers over to a rental when you use one, so that's good news! At least now, with that and my credit card, I feel pretty safe saying no to those people at the Alamo counter!

I booked my Alamo car using Costco last year and I was able to use the kiosk without any problems.

(I hate the Alamo rental counter at Orlando - I went to the counter on a previous trip and their agents are far pushier than I have encountered in other places. The guy insisted on pushing all kinds of insurance, trying to tell me my personal insurance was no good in Florida. That IF a hurricane came during our trip, I would be responsible for the entire cost of the car if damaged, etc. The kids were laughing at me saying no louder and louder as he kept trying to push all kinds of optional insurance!)

I booked through Costco, and got a discount and used a coupon for $30 off the week...I thought I read somewhere if you use a coupon code, you can't use the kiosk? Or is that online check in you can't do?

I also have to add my DH as an additional driver, and I think the last time I tried to do it at the kiosk, it wanted to charge me, and an additional driver is free through Costco...any way to avoid that using the kiosk?