The only company I use is Dan Dooley -- everything up front and no holds on the card.  Probably some other good companies as well, but I have had wonderful experiences with this Ireland-based company.

Geno

As far as transparency of charges, Hands Down, Dooley is in a class by themselves.  A Hertz Agent, here in the US has been getting some good reviews, as well --BUT I have no personal experience with them.

Using my World MasterCard to waive the Insurances, I have successfully rented from Budget, Hertz and Dooley -- and this coming June, I will be renting from Avis.

I'm probably in a different category/situation from you, though -- as I have been visiting Ireland every year since 1999 -- and sometimes, twice a year.  That means that I've grown QUITE familiar with the vagarities of Irish Car Hire rules.  By comparison, though, next to Michele, I am a 'Newbie'   

For a quick synopsis:  http://www.irelandyes.com/cars.html

More In-Depth:   http://ireland.activeboard.com/t29313409/warning-car-rental-rip-offs-some-require-2000-15000-deposit-/

Any specific questions, fell free to ask -- We're here to help.

I had a bad experience with National back in 08. They were with Europcar and Irish car rentals, back then, all 3 names were on their sales window at SNN.   Bogus charges appearing on my cc when I got home, and the only time I used my World MasterCard, I got the worst looking beat up car (probably BECAUSE I used that card for CDW) and had a fender bender, scratched the bumper and broke a tail light. The bill was huge for that amount of damage I recall and WMC didn't cover the loss of use because National never did send me proof of loss of use after numerous requests to them by email and phone. Never again will I rent with any of those 3 entities that I listed above. Had good luck with Auto Europe the first trip although they are a consolidator (middleman), and the consensus here is to avoid the middleman and go straight to the car company IN Ireland. That being said, I had great luck twice with Journey Through Ireland a Hertz franchisee. Paid the fees upfront for a 15% discount, and billed here in US dollars so no cc conversion fee like when you pay over there at the rental counter in Euros. Journey now has an East Coast number, I think Jersey, as they use to be in Pudget sound area when I dealt with them. Another Hertz Francisee is Easy Tour Ireland (former owner of Journey) who has gotten good reviews. I have not used Dooley but may try them this fall since I got a good quote (saved for 1 week) over their internet sight. A real land mine of an ordeal to rent a car there,  but Ireland is worth it! Good luck!

Dan

Several years ago, I coined the phrase "Kissing The Frog", in relation to Car Hire in Ireland.  It is, without a doubt, THE single, most exasperating part of visiting Ireland. 

Although -- The airlines have struggled, MIGHTILY to challenge them!     

Dan (murphy) has listed the two Hertz Agents that I referred to earlier.  Dooley has a New Jersey office with VERY helpful staff.  They can answer any questions and also provide pre-payment (through their US bank) that also eliminates the 'Foreign Transaction Fee.  I've done similar prepayments with Hertz, last year and through Avis, for my upcoming trip, this June.

I've only ever NOT used my MasterCard in lieu of Insurance ONE time -- in March/April of 2011.  That was a 'Package' deal, where airfare, car and lodging (for four) was equally split -- Thus voiding MasterCard's Terms of Coverage.  Last summer, on two different rentals through Hertz, they did NOT place a 'Hold' on my first, 'Pre-Paid' rental, but on a subsequent, non-prepaid reservation, they DID.  The 'Hold' was for 5000 Euro.  That didn't adversely affect ME, as I ONLY use THAT MasterCard for Car Hire, while in Ireland. 

In 2010, Budget imposed a 2500 Euro CHARGE, but refunded that upon return.

Also, for what it's worth, I usually buy an Annual, EU Only, Supplemental "Excess Cover" for about $75 US for coverage of things like tires and glass.  In 15 years -- and about 17 visits -- the ONLY damage that I've ever been responsible for has been tires damaged by striking Pot Holes!

Such insurance can be found here: http://www.moneymaxim.co.uk/pages/faq-non-uk-residents-expat-car-hire-insurance.htm 

tony2phones wrote:

---

Insurance4carhire have changed hands/underwriters whatever but now will offer their Daily but not their Annual policies to non EU residents. http://www.insurance4carhire.com/

 

I am a US resident and I contacted the above company. They informed me that they do not have policies that cover US residents. 

Does anyone know of a company that does sell excess policies for Ireland for US residents? 

Thanks in advance!

Cindy

Fabulous! I have looked at Questor and that is exactly what I was looking for.

Thank you Bob!

Hi Tony,

I have included the response they sent me below. I was surprised as they do have rates quoted in USD. Maybe I was not specific enough in that I wanted a daily policy? I have also looked at their FAQ page on their website and it states they do not cover non EEA residents. I just want to make sure I am purchasing something that will actually cover me. Am a bit confused as to why we are getting different info?




Dear Cindy Oesterle,

Thank you for your email.

I do apologise but our policies are only available to purchase if you permanently reside inside the European Economic Area.

Thank you for your interest in insurance4carhire, if I can be any further assistance please feel free to email me.

Kind regards

Ian Williams
Senior Customer Services Advisor| Insurance4carhire & Insurance4excess
Ellenborough House
Wellington Street
Cheltenham
GL50 1XZ
E: info@insurance4carhire.com
www.insurance4carhire.com or www.insure4excess.com





-----Original Message-----
From: Cindy Oesterle [mailto:cindyo@ptd.net]
Sent: 27 April 2014 20:37
To: info@Insurance4CarHire.com
Subject: *IW- Car hire insurance for US resident

Hello,

I am inquiring whether your policies are available to a US resident renting a car in Ireland. We would be traveling in August of this year and would be renting a car for eight days.

Thank you for your time.

Cindy Oesterle
Cindyo@ptd.net

Recently I purchased trip insurance from insuremytrip.com. It was the Custom Luxe plan. Beside the airfare and medical it also covers rental car damage up to $50,000. I'm planning to use this instead of excess and also hope it will cover tire damage.

Jeff

From my personal experience, the ONLY 'Third Party' coverage that MOST Car Hire companies will accept is 'Certain' Credit cards . . . About HALF the time, they won't even do THAT, unless you produce a 'Letter of Coverage' at pick up.  Absent that, the requirement is that you MUST purchase the Basic CDW.  The GOOD news is that Basic CDW is actually QUITE reasonable.  It usually only adds about 30 Euro to the typical rental -- It is the 'Excess' or 'SUPER' CDW that is so very costly!

You can verify this by going to the Car Hire site and requesting an (Ill-Named) 'Inclusive' Rate quote and then requesting a second quote, and selecting the 'Waive CDW' option.  At THAT point, you will usually see a 'Pop Up' window that details the company's policy, relative to Insurance.

BTW:  I say the 'Inclusive' rate is Ill-Named, as it typically ONLY includes BASIC CDW in the price quote!

If YOUR Car Hire company DOES accept the Travel Insurance coverage, I (for one) would be DELIGHTED to know that -- AND to hear about the details of your experience using it.

Please keep us advised.

I've rented cars in Ireland over 20 times in the last 15 years.  During all those times, I've only ever bought their insurances ONCE.  That was a 'Package Deal', in March of 2011, in which costs were paid, 'Per Person' -- which violates the Credit Card requirement that ALL car hire costs be paid by the Covered Card.  In all other cases, I've used my Master Card to waive the CDW and Excess cover.

In 1999, doing so required a 'Gold' Master Card.  If memory serves, around 2002, it had to be a 'Platinum' card and around 2006 or so, it required a 'World' card -- as fewer and fewer Cards continued to offer coverage in Ireland.  This was PARTLY due to the risk factors -- as jet lagged, American tourists -- unfamiliar with RHD cars and Irish Roads CONTINUE to attempt MARATHON-LIKE driving trips because, 'I'm USED to driving 300 miles per day, back home!"  The Irish Car Hire companies didn't help, either -- Often charging for damage and 'Loss of Use' for vehicles that were often re-rented without repair, and/or failing to provide PROOF of their claims.

I've used Budget, Dooley, Avis and Hertz in the past -- without incident or difficulty.  They have only actually ASKED for a Coverage Letter the last 4 or 5 times -- as that IS becoming more or less standard.  If you call 1 800 MC ASSIST, one of the options is to request that they email you a coverage letter -- so securing one is NOT difficult.  I suspect that the Coverage Letter is being required more often because so many customers wrongly assume that their Card covers Ireland -- when, in truth, MOST do NOT.  It's been MY experience that even the Issuing Banks' Marketing and Customer Service Departments don't KNOW what coverage their cards provide.  Master Rental is a Master Card provided benefit and THEY (and ONLY they) are the TRUE source for information about coverage. 

For Canadians, the same GENERALIZATIONS apply for those of you who possess 'CERTAIN CANADIAN-ISSUED VISA CARDS" -- In short, Do NOT ask about coverage from the Issuing Bank -- Go DIRECTLY to the Source.

Even with years of experience and possession of a card which IS valid, electing to WAIVE the CDW requires a slightly scary, 'Leap of Faith' -- particularly after having just walked off a mostly sleepless, overnight flight -- as you must sign a contract that declares that YOU accept personal responsibility for any damage caused.  The Credit Card coverage is a contract between you and the Credit Card company -- NOT between them and the car hire firm. 

Now, FOR ME, visiting Ireland as often as I can, for as LONG as I can, the 2-300 Euro savings afforded by using my Credit Card is WORTH the anxiety and 'Performance Stress'.  Over the years, I figure that my savings have roughly equaled an amount sufficient to have covered the entire cost of ONE of my trips!  That savings was NOT free, though.  It comes at the Cost of near-constant vigilance to the vagaries of Irish Car Hire and Due Diligence while Collecting, driving AND when returning the hire car.

For some people, the peace of mind that comes from buying the Car Hire Company's coverage out weighs the cost.  For them, the 'Freedom' from the worry, uncertainty and apprehension of using the Card's coverage is worth the 150 -250 Euro that the Hire Company charges for Excess.  I can't fault that.  Everyone has to operate within their OWN 'Comfort Zone'. 

YOU need to do what is best -- for YOU.

As far as I know, the most up to date info on Third Party 'Excess' Insurance is here:

http://www.moneymaxim.co.uk/pages/faq-non-uk-residents-expat-car-hire-insurance.htm

I just extended my coverage with another One Year Policy effective June of 2014 - 2015.  There was actually a nearly 3 GBP 'Discount' because I was renewing!