Last minute questions

Dee932 · Member

Last minute questions

irishgalinphx · Member

Hello! I am new on this site as well! However the information that I have read and folks that I have talked to have said that car rentals can really double and triple over there and better to lock in ins and such in the us...if you pay for optional ins over there you will be paying appx $30.00 a day in euros. My uncle travels to Ireland several times a year and he uses Dooley car rental. My contact has been helpful 800 331 9301 Tracta.

Good luck!
Colleen

Michele Erdvig · Host

Mara,

Does Premium CDW reduce your deductible to zero? If so, that is also called Super CDW. Most people will opt for that and add it to their insurnace purchases.

How much does the insurance for the windscreen cost? Is it per day or per rental? It is possible that you could have problem but in over 35 years I have never had a shattered windscreen. Cost will determine if it is a good add-on option.

I have not used a GPS in Ireland. However, I have Irish friends with them. Their opinion is sometimes the GPS unit works great. At other times it will send you off on a wild goose chase across the countryside with no rhyme or reason as to why you are going that way. At least with a map you soon realize you are lost and get help.

Michele

Dee932 · Member

Thanks for the help.

The car rental is locked in. The company won't do the super cdw or GPS until we get there. I'm pretty sure we will stick with our trusty maps and will weigh the windscreen insurance when we find out how much it is.

The quote they gave my travel agent is $100 deposit and 10 Euros per day for the GPS. Seems a little pricey, don't you think? It would be portable and we would have to hide it everywhere we stop.

Dee

yesiree · Guru

Mara,

Sounds like you're set.

The major confusion with car insurance happens when renters are unfamiliar with the difference between CDW, Super CDW and the coverage (or lack of) from credit cards in Ireland... and agents & websites who don't do a good job of explaining or simply don't know the ins and outs of car insurance in Ireland for visitors from North America.

Apparently, Ireland's insurance laws do not allow them to sell Super CDW before the renter arrives... that leaves a lot of people are forced to try and understand an unfamiliar system and make an expensive decision AFTER an international flight... guaranteed stress. Thank goodness forums like this one are around to prep travelers.

I think you'll manage fine without the GPS, but if you give it a go, let us know what you think. You've chosen excellent maps, so you're prepared.

Safe travels,
Corey

Dee932 · Member

Thanks, Corey.

We will have Michele's book in hand when we pick up the car and she gives excellent advice on what to do.

Dee

Michele Erdvig · Host

Mara,

That is about the going rate for renting a GPS in Ireland. Depending on how long someone is going, it might actually be cost efficient to buy one before the trip instead. Then, as you mentioned you must worry about keeping the GPS safe. I think the maps will take you where you want to go with no problems.

Enjoy!

Michele

youngka · Guru

Michele, we were going to take the GPS we already have but couldn't get the chip for Ireland. That may be something Dee should ask if she gets one here before going on trip. I am not sure how the GPS actually works -- but I think you have to put in your destination address?? Maybe just the town? It could be good to have over there, very handy. We just use the maps we have purchased. You can get pretty much anywhere you want with them. youngka

Dee932 · Member

Thanks Michele and Youngka,
I think the GPS will be just one more thing not to worry about. Don't want to be glued to technology and miss the fun of serendipity!

Less than 24 hours to go.

Dee

youngka · Guru

Dee, have a wonderful time, you are going to love it in Ireland. Be safe, youngka

Michele Erdvig · Host

Bon voyage Mara!

Michele