Warning: Car Rental Rip-offs!! Some Require €2,000 - €15,000 Deposit to Decline CDW

Green Dragon · Guru

Warning: Car Rental Rip-offs!! Some Require €2,000 - €15,000 Deposit to Decline CDW

Michele Erdvig · Host

Just started a Facebook group: Ireland Car Rentals. Wonder why no one did this before? This might be a can of worms!!!

Michele Erdvig · Host

I have not explored this site in depth but wonder if they will at least hear complaints: https://www.ombudsman.ie/

This is a EU page: https://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/travel/driving-abroad/car-rental-abroad/index_en.htm

Europcar Ireland | No Hidden Charges | europcar.com

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It touts "no hidden charges".

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

An interesting exchange of information (? confuse ?) with Europcar concerning car hire for May:

ROBERT EMPRIMO

Feb 17, 21:39 GMT

Your web site continues to state: The main driver must be the holder of an eligible US issued World MasterCard or Canadian issued Gold/Platinum Visa/MasterCard which allows you to waive CDW and Theft Protection in Ireland."

Over the past year or so, a number of US-issued VISA cards (And, specifically, Chase Sapphire which I possess), as well as American Express now INCLUDE coverage for the Republic of Ireland.

I understand that a letter of coverage is required (which Chase can provide) and that it should be dated within 28 days of the scheduled rental I am asking if the Chase Sapphire Cards coverage is, in fact, considered an Acceptable Provider for waiving CDW and Excess whilst renting a vehicle from carhire.ie / Irish Car Rentals at the Dublin Airport this coming May.

I understand that a 5,000 Euro Hold will be placed against my card. Is there also a Fee applied for waiving the coverage?

Thanks in advance for your quick reply.

Amy Smyth (Europcar Ireland)

Feb 18, 10:49 GMT

Hi Robert,

Thank you for your email.
We would not charge any additional fees if you choose to waive CDW once you provide us with the letter from your credit company stating they will cover you for the CDW.
Kind Regards,
Amy.

After a more thorough perusal of Europcar's T&C and FAQ pages, I discovered that the coverage Letter requirement is 21 days prior, rather than 28 -- and only ONE of my questions had been answered, so:

ROBERT EMPRIMO

Feb 18, 16:56 GMT

Does Europcar accept coverage provided by a US-issued Chase Sapphire Visa credit card as long as I provide a letter dated 21 days in advance that specifies that they DO cover rentals in Ireland?

Amy Smyth (Europcar Ireland)

Feb 21, 11:51 GMT

Hi Robert,

This would be fine once the card is a chip and pin card and the letters are embossed on the card.
Kind Regards,
Amy.

Customer Service

I'm still not 100% clear if the desk clerk can / will challenge my Chase Sapphire VISA since it is a metal card (rather than plastic) and although the card numbers ARE slightly raised numerals, I am unsure that the desk clerk will consider them 'embossed'. I do have a World Master Card that also covers Ireland, but it charges high 'Foreign Transaction Fees' and doesn't offer other 'Perks' that the Chase does. Of course, for Credit Card coverage, most issuers require that ALL rental-related transactions (reservation, Pick Up and Return) be done using the covering card -- so I can't just opt to switch cards at the desk . . .

Once again, I can only WISH that there would / could be Transparent, Clear-Cut, unambiguous rules in place for ALL players -- but neither the EU, nor the Irish government seem too inclined to require them.

That IS good news about the lack of a 'Waiver Fee' -- Particularly in light of Hertz Ireland's apparent switch to a 'Daily' fee.

Michele Erdvig · Host

Excellent video that Corey of IrishFireside.com put together about his experiences renting a car in Ireland. Good advice for all.

http://irishfireside.com/2019/02/15/155-tips-for-choosing-a-rental-car-in-ireland-video/

Michele Erdvig · Host

I put in an inquiry to the car rental council and they have not deigned to answer my inquiry about the new charge. It has been a while so am not optimistic about an answer. And so it goes.

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

Another NEW change! furious furious

hertz is now stating that if you use alternative coverage (Like a Credit Card) to 'Waive' Insurances, rather than a FLAT, one-time charge of 30 or 35 Euro, they will NOW impose a 7 Euro PER DAY fee! For those of us (Michele and myself, for starters) that typically rent for 2 weeks or longer, this will obviously make a SIGNIFICANT change in rental choices.

Hopefully (but, I'm NOT optimistic) other companies won't be quick to follow suit! bleh bleh

Michele Erdvig · Host

At 15 pounds a day I would not book with Europcar. Try some others. Or you could take a bus or train to Dublin and rent a car there. Many of the Republic car rental companies do not charge a cross-border fee but you must check with them to find out as it is in the small print (or no print!).

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

That's a new one on me. Check with Hertz. Budget or Avis. As of this morning, the budget.ie website's N.I. Terms and Conditions state: "If you wish to drive the car into the Republic of Ireland your rental will be subject to a cross border coverage fee of GBP 23. Budget cars may not be taken outside the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland" Note that it does NOT say, "Per Day", so it is a one-time (single) charge.

SEE: https://www.budget.ie/terms/northern-ireland/

Neither the Hertz.ie nor the Avis.ie websites specifically address Cross border travel, which suggests that there are no additional fees -- but you would need to check with their Customer Service to be certain.

Chris53ny · Newbie

Thank you for the reply. It is my understanding that all companies in the north now charge the cross border fee. The fee is usually a daily fee and Europcar for example charges 15 pounds a day. If you are renting for a three week period that is a significant charge. So for this reason I ask does anyone know if they actually track the car destinations. Europcar and other major rental companies work on both sides of the boarder and the fee is just another rip off charge.

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

The 'Cross Border Fee', IF applied (not all companies charge it) covers things like Breakdown service, so failing to notify the Company is both a Contract Violation AND could result in significant costs in the event of a breakdown or accident.

The GOOD NEWS is that the Fee (If applied) is a One-Time charge and is good for the duration of the rental. It doesn't matter how many times you cross the border.

Chris53ny · Newbie

I have a question. Im rentng a car in Belfast and will be traveling back and forth across the boarder. The chase card that I will be using covers both Ireland and Northern Ireland. To avoid the excessive cross border fees I was only going to state that my plans were to stay in Northern Ireland. My question is does anyone know if they track the rentals car locations?

Michele Erdvig · Host

Hi Bill/Liam, Nice to hear from you. Thanks for the update on your United card. Things are definitely changing.

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

Welcome back! biggrin biggrin

I -- for one -- would love to hear what you've been up to. wink wink

There's been a LOT of changes to Ireland car Hire in the past few months. A number of VISA cards (most notably, those offered by CITI and CHASE) and, even AMEX are now covering Ireland. Dooley sold out to Enterprise -- and, although nothing much changed -- AT FIRST -- Dooley has recently ceased to accept Debit Card rentals and I just heard that they are closing their Belfast office, as well! furious furious

Hertz still insists on requiring a 5,000 Euro 'Hold' if you use CC coverage -- yet, STILL insists on charging a fee, if you PAY with a CC??? confuse confuse

Do you have any upcoming visits planned???

wojazz3 · Guru

Been a while since I've hung out with you folks. I just wanted to add, and maybe someone else has done so, my United Mileage Plus just sent me a notice of coverage and states that they now cover rentals in Ireland. Bit of a surprise. I was also surprised I remembered my password for the site here.

Liam

tony2phones · Guru

Back to the old days when you needed a letter within 28 days of the end of your rental. Temporary insurance has a clause that it is only valid for 28 days, day 29 you would be uninsured.

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

FYI -- Just got off the phone with 1 800 MC-ASSIST to secure my Letter of Coverage. While the letter still states that it is valid for 60 days, the helpful Rep (Carl) advised that Irish Car Hire companies were now insisting that the letter be issued within 21 days of the rental's commencement.

I have NO other verification of that, but I also have no reason to doubt the veracity of the statement, either.

Roy · Guru

Concerning Enterprise and Dooley, less completion is never a good thing.

-- Edited by Roy on Sunday 11th of June 2017 02:42:34 PM

Michele Erdvig · Host

I guess the Dooley transparency is a thing of the past now that they have been sold. Just more work for the consumers.

Roy · Guru

As if renting a car needs to be made more confusing!

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

Has anyone notice the changed look of the Dan Dooley websites? https://www.dandooley.com/ and https://www.dan-dooley.ie/

In the past, they offered a box to 'Tick' to Waive CDW AND, another to 'Waive Excess'. The option to choose the 'Excess' on the initial quote request has disappeared. Granted, they DO offer the 'Excess Cover' if you choose a car and then begin the booking process -- but, there is NO detail given as to why you should need to purchase it -- Nor, is there any details given as to what the consequences are, if declining to. furious furious

Which has the potential of 'hiding away' what MANY renters consider the 'Hidden Fee' -- and providing that 'Unpleasant SURPRISE!' at the counter. Something associated with Irish Car Hire in general that Dooley has proudly avoided. hmm hmm

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

Yes, there is still a hold -- Usually equal to the 'Excess' amount.

The car hire companies don't accept any Third Party Insurance -- including the Credit Card. That's why they collect a 'Hold' and advise that in the event of damage, they will bill YOU and you must then 'Claim it Back' from the Credit Card people. The same is true with Third Party coverage.

Nearly all Third Party coverages ONLY cover 'Excess' and have an upper limit that is generally in the $5000 range. I only buy it for to cover the things that CDW / Excess and the Credit Card DON'T cover -- and I usually manage to get two trips worth of coverage from a single, Annual Policy.

FYI -- It usually covers car hire in all of Europe, too -- Not JUST Ireland -- so, I've also used the same coverage in England and Wales, too.

jawong · Newbie

Hi Bob,

With your Third Party insurance, did you still have to leave a hold on your CC since you declined the CDW?

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

I've only ever bought the offered insurances one time, when it was part of a group package. For all our other rentals, I used a Credit Card for coverage. The only claims / accidental expenses I've incurred were replacing three tires and repairing one bent wheel -- all caused by striking potholes and NOT curbs or rock walls. Credit card, Standard CDW and 'Excess' don't cover those, although most companies now offer a tire and wheel option, above and beyond.

The first tire was in 2005 and the other two (and wheel) happened in 2009, so it was only TWO incidences out of 21. Starting in 2010, I have purchased a Third Party, Annual Policy that covers 'Excess' and tire, wheel, wrong fuel, lost keys and more from various providers -- and had NO claims whatsoever! My current policy -- which runs from Oct 28, 2016 - Oct 27, 2017, cost me 58 GBP and was purchased from www.worldwideinsure.com

I found them by searching here: http://www.moneymaxim.co.uk/faq/car-hire-insurance/non-uk-residents-expat-car-hire-insurance

Which insurance(s) to buy is a HIGHLY personal decision. As Roy said, your Personal 'Comfort Level' plays a key factor that sometimes over-writes purely financial issues. confuse confuse

I ALWAYS recommend dealing Directly with the owner of the vehicle, rather than a Consolidator or Third-Party Agent. Although Michele has used Fox and a number of the 'IrelandYes Irregulars' have happily done business with Conn, I find MY 'Peace of Mind' comes from dealing DIRECT. biggrin biggrin

Roy · Guru

I have rented using my credit card, I have also rented from Dooley and Conn. I have not had to make a claim, but do enjoy the peace of mind of all inclusive insurance. I am, after all, on vacation. I have never rented through Expedia so can't speak to them.Dooley and Conn were both easy to rent through.

jawong · Newbie

Thanks for the info, I don't have a preference to sticking with Expedia only that it offered me some extra points. That is not the only deciding factor, it was more to get something locked in temporarily. Having said that I have read about the narrow streets and small shoulders in rural areas of which we plan to do while visiting for approx. 3wks. I know it's a luck of the draw and something or anything can happen to anyone at anytime.

I think as long as you follow the rules drive responsively and defensively then things should be ok. Good to know that Conn and Dooley's are the more highly.

tony2phones · Guru

I don't want your welcome to the forum being a negative one, but, There are a whole load of moans from folk who booked through Expedia. You noticed they don't include basic 2nd level insurance lots didn't.

Base rate car hire in Ireland is fairly cheap. Car insurance, any car insurance in Ireland has got stupidly expensive. Unfortunately if you don't take the full insurance on offer the rental companies across the board put a "Hold" on your card. Ireland is no different to anywhere else. the roads are amongst the safest in Europe, far safer than the States, But our roads are narrower and our mean hedge's and ditches jump out on transatlantic folk in hire cars so lots of damage. truth is that transatlantic visitors overcompensate and deliberately drive further from the centre of the road.

Conn used to be known by easytoursireland, changed the brand name to be more personal.. not the best name choice for a car rental perhaps but its his given name.
I like most Irish/UK folk just don't have that much available to be blocked credit never have, wouldn't want it. so when I rent a car its fully insured, have a full no claims dating back a lot of years but my take on insurance is that its not me it the other idiots on the road.

Conn (for Hertz) or Dooleys (direct or via Fox) would be my recommendations these days.

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