Tyre and windscreen cover...

[sam_rogers]

I'm about to book our car hire for our September trip and can't decide whether to get additional cover for tyres and windscreen. I haven't rented a car in Orlando since 2012 and can't remember if we've ever taken out this cover in the past! I was just wondering what people's views are on it and whether it's recommended to have? We will be using Alamo either booking directly or through an agent. I have also posted on the uk planning board but things are a bit quiet over there.

 

[writerguyfl]

That must be a UK/foreign thing, because it's not an option on the US-based Alamo website. The only Protection Production options I get are:

• Extended Protection: Liability coverage against third-parties suing you for an accident.
• Personal Accident Insurance/Personal Effects Coverage: Medical insurance for renter and passengers plus coverage of your stuff.
• Roadside Assistance Protection: Help with lost keys, flat tires, and running out of gas.
• Collision Damage Waiver: Protects the car in the event of an accident.

Sounds as if "Tyre and Windscreen" coverage might be part of the last two bullet points. Maybe Alamo offers it because the insurance coverage that normally is attached to UK-based credit cards is structured differently to what we have in the United States. Hope that helps a little.

(I love the differences between UK English and US English. Here, we'd call it "Tire and Windshield" coverage.)

 

[sam_rogers]

That must be a UK/foreign thing, because it's not an option on the US-based Alamo website. The only Protection Production options I get are:

• Extended Protection: Liability coverage against third-parties suing you for an accident.
• Personal Accident Insurance/Personal Effects Coverage: Medical insurance for renter and passengers plus coverage of your stuff.
• Roadside Assistance Protection: Help with lost keys, flat tires, and running out of gas.
• Collision Damage Waiver: Protects the car in the event of an accident.

Sounds as if "Tyre and Windscreen" coverage might be part of the last two bullet points. Maybe Alamo offers it because the insurance coverage that normally is attached to UK-based credit cards is structured differently to what we have in the United States. Hope that helps a little.

(I love the differences between UK English and US English. Here, we'd call it "Tire and Windshield" coverage.)

Thanks for your help. I have also contacted Alamo to clarify because the uk website doesn't really make it clear but from what I've seen most companies only cover the car if its in a collision so any other parts such as tyres and windscreens (or tires and windshields ) undercarriage, roof and interior of the car that could be damaged at any other point aren't covered. Maybe it's a UK thing!

 

[NotUrsula]

It's a "foreign traveler" thing. It's included as a convenience issue with the idea that it's a hassle to deal with a simple repair in a foreign country. (It is, a bit. I once had to replace 2 tires on a trip to Ireland when I took a curve too hard and ran up on granite kerb. Gashed clean through both tires on that side Luckily I was visiting family, so my trip wasn't delayed by sending it down the street to the garage; though the price was still awfully steep.)

In the US, both of those items are the sort of less-expensive quick repairs that the rental company expects Americans to just repair and pay for if it happens to the car. A typical tire will cost no more than $100, and a windshield chip is about $75. If you blow out the entire windshield, that's about $250, but unless someone takes a sledgehammer to it, that's very unlikely to happen outside of a collision situation, in which case the collision insurance would cover it.

I've got no clue what they think might happen to the undercarriage -- do they expect you to bottom it out crossing a riverbed or something?

 

[sam_rogers]

I've had a look and my breakdown cover in the uk gives me basic roadside assistance in the states so I can at least get to a garage if it goes wrong! That's not too steep for a replacement tyre or windscreen repair. I was wondering about the undercarriage too, definitely sounds like some interesting driving could be involved on that one haha.