CDW and Super CDW

noshot9 · Veteran Member

CDW and Super CDW

Maggie117 · Guru

Hi there, I'm traveling to Ireland with my parent in October. (Dad's a farmer and we can't pull him away during the working months.) But this actually works out well, because we also like to avoid the crowds. We initially picked September and October, and we were told that they would both be fairly quite. Most children/kids are back in school, so most parents would be done vacationing with their kids.

I can't wait until the expert answers your question because I'm certainly not!

Cheers! Maggie hmm

Michele Erdvig · Host

noshot9,

Either September or October is fine. Once you get into Oct the other tourists really thin out but some sightseeing starts to close. I guess it depends on where your travels take you.

Have you read my Car Rental page? All of it not just the first part? I thoroughly discuss CDW, Super CDW, car rental lingo, how to rent a car in Ireland, etc. I still have credit card coverage. One of the very few MasterCards still providing CDW. Where they get you is Super CDW. If you only take the regular CDW you have a high deductible. If you add on Super CDW that brings the deductible down to zero (hopefully). They are all different.

Some here on the forum have used insurance4carhire.com. You can take a look to see if it is of interest to you.

Michele

Anchoress · Guru

Closing is getting earlier each year, Michele. When I was looking for somewhere to take Dude and her sisters last year, in September, all the out of town places were already closed or on "winter hours".

Towns are fine of course.

Blessings.

twofishes · Member

Greetings,

We are leaving for Ireland in February and I have been researching car rental companies. The best I have found for us is Economy car rentals.They have full insurance with no excess and all fees included in the price. I was torn between Kemwel and Economy until I called Kemwel and they answered some of my questions. They have a $45 location surcharge which is not included in the price. and their was a deductible of $1,650 on the Toyota Corolla I was looking to rent. They offered me a Super CDW which would cost for that car approx. $17 US per day and it still had a 100 Euro deductible plus tax.

Plus I have rented from Economy before. This past summer I was in Greece during the fires and unfortunately the road in front of us was closed and a rather large truck backed into us in order to turn around.The truck smashed the hood for our car ! We filed a police report that was challenging it was all in Greek...When we returned the car we filed a damage report and that was the end of the story. Hope this helps in your research.. I also check in to additional coverage from my Mastercard .After calling I found out that my Gold World Citibank Mastercard does not cover Ireland.

This is what is included in economycarrentals.com price for Ireland:
Unlimited mileage
VAT
All local taxes
ASC-Airport Service Charge where applicable
24 hours road service
Third party insurance
Fire Insurance with NO excess
PAI-Personal accident insurance for passengers
Theft Insurance with NO excess.
(Refundable from EconomyCarRentals.com)
FDW-Full Damage Waiver.
(Refundable from EconomyCarRentals.com)

WCOMALLEY · Veteran Member

We toured the west and south of Ireland in October 2007, and it was wonderful. No crowds,no hurry, no problem. We had our pick of which B&B to stay at with only one day notice; in Cashel we had no reservation at all, just drove up and knocked on the door. True, not all the attractions were open; specifically the inside of the castles. It never seemed to matter, all the photo opportunities were still there and we didn't feel that we missed anything. The real Ireland, her scenery and her people, are always open . The real down side of October, IMHO, is the fact that there is about half (sic) the daylight you get in July, and driving in Ireland at night is no joke. You have to plan your day accordingly. WC

Sidz · Guru

For weather and small crowds, I think October is hard to beat. Did that once and want to pick that time of the year again. Doing the B&B route at that time of the year is a snap -- you can pick wherever you want to go without any issues.

Geographer · Member

noshot: Michele mentions in her book to check what the deductible is because each company is different...here's why this is great advice...

purchasing the cdw, the deductible on the cheapest car: (I checked today)

Kemwel is 1100 USD

Economy Car Rental web site.." The renter is responsible for a Damage Deductible normally between 1600 and 2500 Euros depending on the vehicle."

Note difference in USD vice Euro...significant if, heaven forbid, an accident happens.

I thought it important to note....The Kemwel representative I spoke with explained that Eurocar (the company Kemwel uses in Ireland) authorizes the deductible amount on your credit card when you pick up the rental. Important for budgeting purposes as this amount may not be available to you...worth asking other companies ahead of time if this is done.

Finally...As so many have mentioned...Michele's book is worth every penny.

Cold Beer....John

-- Edited by Geographer at 15:06, 2008-01-18

Michele Erdvig · Host

Jude (twofishes),

Thanks for your feedback about Economy Car Rentals. Others on the forum may find you info of help when renting a car. I was reading the terms on their site and found this of interest:

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Exceptions To An All Inclusive Insurance
Charges for any of the damages below will be charged directly to the client, the most important are the following: Antenna, trays, damage to car lock, wheels, glass, loss or damage to keys, windshield wipers, mirrors, spare key and car jack, personal belogings in the rented car, hubcap, lights, gas cap, warning triangles,interior of the car,damage to the upholstery of the car, damages to the roof, extreme dirtiness in the car, underside damage, damages caused by roof racks, tire punctures and burst tires, fuel errors, damage to child seats and baby seats, loss of the car documents,loss of registration plate,lack of electricity because of forgotten turn on electrical devices.
Towing costs are not covered by any insurance.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Anchoress,

It probably depends on where people are traveling. Donegal would definitely have early closures. Not so much so in the more touristy areas. I have actually found the season lengthening in popular areas. More people are traveling in the shoulder season and off season.

John, I'm very happy to hear my book is proving useful to you. Here's a cold one

Michele

Anchoress · Guru

I was thinking that too; that the towns would stay open more. Driving through Donegal Town just now is a nightmare as the Diamond is three deep in tour buses, apparenty from Scotland.

I stopped off briefly at Lissadell House near Sligo yesterday; do you know that, Michele?

http://www.lissadellhouse.com/home.php

The setting is idyllic, and they are opening more each year; we know of them through their organic gardening venture as they sell at the market in Sligo...

I emailed them once and intended to make fuller contact, so I will try to do that soon.....they have seeds etc and we are needing these soon for our new gardens here.

The courtyard is beauful.. they have braziers with logs burning there, and the shop has stock from all the local firms.. china, knitwear etc....

You would all love it...it is well signposted off the main Sligo- Donegal road...Off to the left as you drive north.

The approach road is through forest with the sea on one side and with many picnic areas.

Blessings....

Michele Erdvig · Host

Anchoress,

I have been to Lissadell House but before the new family bought it. Aideen Gore-Booth showed me around on the tour. A very historic family and house. Next time I am in Sligo I plan on re-visiting to see what has been done to the house. It was dreadfully shabby when the Gore-Booths had it. You are absolutely correct about the beautiful setting.

Michele

Anchoress · Guru

I am hoping to visit Lissadell informally soon. From the look of the outside and the energy of the web site and the produce angle also, it is a very different place now. The lawns and grounds are immaculate. The courtyard/coach house complex is completely new and is beautifully done. It is the gardens that attract me of course. Blessings

Michele Erdvig · Host

Anchoress,

It is good to hear that the new owners of Lissadell House are treating it kindly. It holds an important place in Irish history. I have always been drawn to the Sligo area. It really is lovely. Unfortunately many tourists never get that far north. The big draw is the SW and Dublin. I am glad I have had to opportunity to see so many parts of Ireland that others don't. I'm sure you have plenty of off the beaten path places that you know well. Sometimes it is those hidden places that are evocative of the real Ireland.

Michele

Anchoress · Guru

Maybe that could be our next book.....yes, many, many such.

Of course I prefer Donegal!! I was here 30 years ago for a year or so and hoped I would come back....

We are almost at publication now with "Tales from an Irish Hermitage"; all very exciting. The proof copy will be printed today or tomorrow and then we can order.