Update: Car Rental Insurance

Michele Erdvig · Host

Update: Car Rental Insurance

Melissa5 · Guru

MIchele thanks a whole bunch for clarifying this news for us! My husband and I are already shopping around for a new MasterCard since the one we've had for years no longer has great benefits. Since my husband does have his own business we should probably go ahead and get a MC business card...

Michele Erdvig · Host

Melissa,

I am very happy with my Capital One Platinum business MasterCard. Capital One kept sending me about 10 offers in the mail every week. When I got the business card offer (with double points yet) I jumped on that deal. They also have no foreign surcharge.

Michele

Melissa5 · Guru

MIchele, thanks for the CAPITAL tip!

travel4us · Member

Hi Everyone,

The following information is from the MasterCard website, under the Guide to Card Benefits:

"Valid as of September 1, 2006 World MasterCard® Benefits: • World MasterCard – Includes No Pre-Set Spending Limit with Option to Revolve (minimum $5,000), Year-End Account Summary, Identity Fraud Reimbursement/Resolution Services, Worldwide Automatic Travel Accident Insurance, Trip Cancellation Insurance, Car Rental Collision/Damage Waiver, Extended Warranty, Price Protection, and MasterCard Global Service"

But the possible catch is the following information that was in small print right below the above message:

"Selection of benefits on your card may vary by card issuer. Please refer to your issuing financial institution for more details. To file a claim or for more information on any of these services, call the MasterCard Assistance Center at 1-800-MC-ASSIST (1-800-622-7747)."

In talking with MasterCard Assistance Center, each financial institution that carries the World MasterCard determines the benefits of their World MasterCard. Unfortunately, when you call your credit card company, they do not have the disclosures at their call centers. If you already have a World MasterCard, they will send out the disclosures which will spell out if they cover CDW in Ireland. If you do not have a World MasterCard, you will not get any information until you apply for a card and when you get it, the disclosures will be in your Welcome packet.

We wanted to get a World MasterCard for the CDW coverage in Ireland and since we were getting a World MasterCard, we thought we would get one that has NO foreign transaction fee also. Capitol One fit the bill and they do offer the World MasterCard but only as a mailing offer (solitation). You cannot order it online or at their call centers; the call/application center didn't even know Capitol One offered that product, I had to tell them they do. Since we have opted out for ALL credit card solitation, we will never get the offer and Capitol One has no way of assisting me. Go figure, a customer wanting to get a credit card and the credit card company has no way of assisting them because it is a mailing offer. Apparently, there is a different 1-800- number on the mailing and in talking with the Customer Relations Department, they do not have a sample of the mailing to give me the number so that I could call them directly and apply for the card. They do not even know how to contact the Marketing Department to assist me. Oh well!! We went on to Plan B.

Hope this information is helpful.

Michele Erdvig · Host

travel4us,

Thanks so much for the update. Things are changing quickly in the CDW/car rental/credit card area. Diner's Club also covers insurance in Ireland and it is primary. However, they charge per year for their card.

It sounds like you got the runaround at MasterCard. Maybe call again and speak with a supervisor? If you opted out of getting credit card offers in the mail, why can't you opt in now? Then you could choose a good card and opt out again. Just a thought.

Michele

baja · Veteran Member

Michele: What do you know about American Express coverage?

Thanks, Bill

Michele Erdvig · Host

Bill,

As far as I know American Express does not cover CDW insurance in Ireland. If you have received different info from them, please let me know and I will check into it.

Right now only a very few MasterCards provide coverage including the MasterCard that I have: Capital One Platinum business card. I was still able to use it for my Sept/Oct trip this year. Diners Club provides coverage but there is a yearly fee for the card. Still it might be worth the fee.

Trip insurance sometimes provides coverage but you will need to read the fine print. In fact they all require that you do that to know the rules.

Michele

kapmap · Member

I was interested in the Diner's Club card information as it would be considerably less to pay for it than to pay for the insurance so I went to the Diner's Club site and this is what I found

"In general coverage applies worldwide but there are exceptions;
You may be unable to receive benefits in Australia, Ireland, Israel,Italy,Jamaica and New Zealand. Please contact your vehicle rental agency before you travel."

I have checked with AMEX and they do not cover you in Ireland.

As much as I hate to spend the extra money, I will probably take the insurance for peace of mind.

Melissa5 · Guru

Kapmap, have you tried price-shopping for your rental car? When we went to Ireland we had the same dilemma with the CDW payments. My husband got the best deal he could find, and that was with paying extra for CDW. But Kemwel, on Michele's web-site, was able not only to match that deal, WITH CDW insurance included in the deal, so Kemwel was a better deal in the end.

Capital One has a Platinum MC called Platinum MC "No Hassle miles ultra". No annual fee. It does have auto rental insurance. (Our old MC had stopped covering auto insurance) It seems like a good card overall. It has travel accident insurance, concierge service (don't even know what that is), redeem miles for travel with any airline, no blackout dates or seat restriction, redeem miles for cash back... You can also go online and redeem for last-minute flights. Okay I sound like a recording but I am reading from the trail of literature they keep sending us.

Regarding CDW for this card it says "in general coverage is accepted world-wide. You may be unable to use this service in Australia, Ireland, Israel, Jamaica, and New Zealand. Please contact your car rental agency before you travel." So basically they are saying it's not their rule, it's up to the rental car agency...

Travel services Medical protection is included (but there's a lotta fine print. It's mostly for emergencies.)

Oh, here's one that makes me feel excited "If you die while traveling, we'll arrange for your remains to be sent home, pay for repatriation..." Well gee thanks, I'll enjoy my trip now!

Okay I hope this has been entertaining. Good luck to everyone!

Michele Erdvig · Host

kapmap,

The quotes that you and Melissa provided do not rule out CDW insurance in Ireland. The word to look for is "may".

"You may be unable to receive benefits in Australia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica and New Zealand. Please contact your vehicle rental agency before you travel."

It means that if you car rental company accepts the MasterCard coverage it will apply. If the car company refuses it, MasterCard will not cover CDW.

That is why you need to make sure your car company accepts MasterCard coverage before booking. As Melissa said, Kemwel (on my Car Rental page) will meet any price you get from any other car company and they will accept the insurance.

If you prefer the peace of mind, then get the full coverage. But I just wanted to clear up the wording of the MasterCard agreement. Do keep in mind that even buying CDW insurance from your car company will not reduce your burden to zero. Many of the car compaines have a deductible of a few hundred euro and up. Buying the extra Super CDW can reduce the deductible but check to see what is included. Many times tires, windshield and undercarriage are not covered.

Read the fine print!

Michele

Lesman · Member

Hello all, below is email traffic between Dandooley car rental and I about extra insurance. I leave Tuesday for Shannon..yipeeee

mY email Question:

From: Les Anderson [mailto:lesmandude@yahoo.com]
Sent: Friday, 24 November 2006 14:41
To: info@dooleycarrentals.com
Subject:

Hello,

Just making some last minute confirmations before i arrive on the 29th so there won't be any surprises. The extra insurance, does it cover: tires, windshield and undercarriage? Other than just showing up, is there anything else I need to know? Sorry to ask stupid questions, been a long time since I have been over seas. Never rented a car, always used public trans. Just want to make sure my reservation is in order. Thanks and have a great day!! Les Anderson DANDOOLEY REPLY: Hi, Your all set. The excess waiver you purchased leaves you liable for just 100 euro which could be for anything that is damaged on return. Regards,

Donna Walsh

www.dooleycarrentals.com

-- Edited by Lesman at 11:59, 2006-11-24

Michele Erdvig · Host

Les,

It sounds like you are ready to go. I suggest printing that email and taking it with you along with other reservation info. You will have to let us know how you liked Dooley.

Michele

Lesman · Member

Michelle,

Thanks so much, I promise I will let you all know!!! I will post pictures on myspace.com/lesanderson when I get back. Maybe even during.

Les Anderson

Michele Erdvig · Host

Les,

Thanks. We will continue to check into your website for photos. We love them!

Michele

IrishGirl34 · Member

Thanks for this information, everyone! We went for two weeks to Ireland this past July, and are already addicted - we just booked a flight to go again in March. However, I'm starting to get car quotes and this site is invaluable for help with that! Kemwel and Dan Dooley are two that I'm going to check this time for sure based on all of your postings!

Michele Erdvig · Host

IrishGirl34,

I'm glad to hear you are returning to Ireland again in March. If you have not yet signed up for my newsletter, do it now. I am going to have an update on car insurance in it. Let us know if you need any help with your trip.

Michele

Lesman · Member

Irish Girl,

Update to Dan Dooley experience. I had paid the extra money for additional insurance, was concerned that I would get dinged for scraping the curve one or two time which kind of messed up the left hub cap in front.....have not been charged anything extra. Just make sure you do a good walk around with any car rental service you get. If no one stands there looking around with you, go grab someone and make them look with you once you have found some dings and scratches. No matter how small, have it documented!!!!! Best advice I can give. Dan Dooley was good with me. Petro was charged up frnt for me to return the car on empty if I wanted to. Be sure to check gas gauge also to make sure it is full!

Enjoy your trip! I want to go back soooooo bad, but Vacation time is lacking.

Have a grea HOLIDAY ALL!!

Les Anderson

Michele Erdvig · Host

Hi All,

My January 2007 Newsletter has new and updated info on car rentals.

Michele

Sned2 · Member

I called my Visa company and they said they DO cover a car rental in Ireland. I am waiting for written confirmation.

How come nobody mentions Visa?

Michele Erdvig · Host

Sned2,

Never take one person's word for it that Visa will cover you in Ireland. The fine print on your credit card agreement is what you must go by. Visa will cover you in many countries. Ireland is not one of them. Probably if you call Visa ten times you will get ten different answers.

http://usa.visa.com/personal/cards/credit/visa_signature_benefits_auto_rental.html
http://usa.visa.com/business/cards/credit/visa_signature_benefits_auto_rental.html

Michele

P.S. If you live in Canada Visa may cover. But not in the USA.

Irrover · Veteran Member

After reading this article, I'm not sure I would trust any credit card insurance....

I know I've been on worse roads in Ireland...

http://www.concierge.com/cntraveler/traveltips/detail?articleId=10617

Michele Erdvig · Host

Irrover,

Thanks very much for the interesting article. Like I always tell everyone, read all the fine print and then determine whether the credit card insurance is right for your circumstances. I wonder about all those loose chippings!

Michele

Sned2 · Member

Of course Michele you are right, which it took me some digging to confirm. Thank you!

Michele Erdvig · Host

Sned2,

Better that you know now so that you can plan accordingly. It wouldn't be nice to get a big surprise at the car rental desk after an all-night flight.

Michele

teddybear178 · Newbie

Hello all,

I was amazed at how arcane the policies for CDWs and credit card coverage are when it comes to visiting the Ould Sod.

I just got off the phone with Capital One Canada (1-888-324-2363) and the Republic of Ireland is included in their collision damage waiver programme. Maybe collusion damage waiver might be to the point as all of the Irish rental companies seem to be in on it. The operator also offered to mail a letter to me so I could present it at the rental counter. I have reserved a car at DUB with Avis and received a fantastic rate but now I am starting to wonder if it truly is a deal.

Is anyone familiar with the current rate for the CDW and the SCDW for a compact vehicle with Avis Ireland? Opting out results in the E30 service charge and a charge of E2000 being placed on my MCard along with the hassles of covering the funds when the vacation is finished. Perhaps paying the extortion will be a lot easier on my nerves and pocketbook. Of course, getting us to give in and fund the revenue stream is the reason they make these inane policies.

-- Edited by teddybear178 on Tuesday 24th of April 2012 06:32:11 PM

Michele Erdvig · Host

Teddy,

Welcome to my forum. I've been visiting Ireland regularly since 1973 and the car rental maze keeps getting worse and worse. It needs to be regulated by the government. But it will not be regulated because it generally only impacts tourists who are not citizens of Ireland. Since tourists don't vote they have no voice except for places like this.

We have a very long post all about car rental policies as a sticky at the top of this forum. You may have seen it already.

This is my take on it (and I have used most of the car rental companies in Ireland).

The car companies want it to be difficult to use your credit card coverage because they make money selling insurance.

You need insurance, whether it is from your credit card company, you purchase it through the car company or through a third party.

I have gone through the hassle of using my credit card for insurance coverage, paying the fee to decline insurance, being charged 2,000 euro, having to pay my credit card bill mid-way through my trip (what a royal pain!), then having to wait another month to get the money back. Depending on how exchange rates go (and whether you are a victim of DCC) you could be out a nice chunk of change.

I will never do that again!

I now use a car company that tells me all fees up front, accepts my credit card insurance, only puts a "hold" of 2,000 on my card (not an actual charge).

99% of the car companies in Ireland nickle and dime you to death. The price quoted can quickly double with "surprise extras". You absolutely must read the fine print, find every little extra charge, add it all up for a grand total and then compare car companies.

Avis will be able to tell you the current rate for CDW and SCDW for the car you want. If they don't, I would cancel.

If you do use your credit card coverage, get that letter to take with you.

Michele

Green Dragon · Guru

I have a Capital One Business card that covers CDW. However, I can't use it for car rentals in Ireland. Why? Because, as a reward for being a good credit consumer, and using the card, paying it off, using it, paying it off - they reduced my limit from $2500 to $300 at the beginning of the year. Lovely. $300 will not cover a week's rental in Ireland, much less two weeks, and you HAVE to use the card for the rental. Sigh. I wonder if you can use it for part of the rental, and would that in turn work? PRobably not, as the limit wouldn't be enough for the hold.

Michele Erdvig · Host

Christy,

Wow! I have a Cap One Business card that covers CDW too. They haven't reduced my limit yet. But like you I pay it off every month. I guess they like people to carry a balance and pay high interest rates. I have a World MC that covers also. So I'm okay. Do you have time to get a World MC?

Funny thing about the Cap One Business MC is one car company argued with me for an hour because it did not say "World" on it. They claimed it didn't cover Ireland when in fact it did. Fortunately, I had the Ireland MC number with me and made them phone them. They couldn't argue with MC. I know more about it than the car company employees do. confuse

Michele

Roy · Guru

I have a bank of America UPromise World MasterCard that covers Ireland. No annual fee, which is why I switched from CitiAdvantage this year.