Travel/Car Insurance

[The Lost Boy]

After looking at various options for an annual family travel insurance package, I note that American Express have an enhance package which include North American Car Hire -
North American Car Hire Benefits (only available under Worldwide Cover)
Collision Damage Waiver - up to US $50,000, plus
For loss of use of rental vehicle through medical confinement - £15 per 24 hours of hire period - up to £210
Drop off charges - up to £200
Top-up Liability - up to US $1,000,000, plus
Bodily injury when entering/alighting from a rental vehicle - up to US $100,000

Has anyone had any experience of using this, particularily with Dollar out of MCO, and does this provide enough cover for driving in the states ??

Ay £285 for a family of 4, it seems expensive, but if it includes any additonal car hire insurance then it makes it good value for money.
Regards
Macca.

 

[rob@rar.org.uk]

I've used the Amex Premium policy for the last few years, including several times when hiring from Dollar (MCO, Sanford and other locations). The real test with insurance is what happens when you claim, which fortunately I've not had to do. Although I've not had to claim I'm confident that the level of cover is sufficient (it's at least as good as any other policy I've looked at), and that Amex are a reputable company to deal with.

Although you will not have to pay CDW or SLI with the Amex policy you will have to pay the local/state taxes and airport fees that are added on to all car hire contracts. It's not a large amount, but worth bearing in mind when you look at the price of different options.

If you decline the insirance policy offered by Dollar they will normally request that you leave a secirity deposit for the car. This is $1,500 and they simply take a swipe from your credit card for this. It doesn't appear on your credit card statement, but it does temporarily reduce your available credit limit on the card. I normally tell my credit card company in advance that I'm going to do this.

I've used the Amex policy for about six year now, and it's saved me many hundreds of dollars in that time. If you manage to squeeze two trips to the US during the period covered by the annual policy the savings on car hire can be huge.

Regards

Rob

 

[The Lost Boy]

Thanks Rob,
Looks like I will need to get the calculator out !