Update: Car Rental Insurance

Michele Erdvig · Host

RE: Update: Car Rental Insurance

tresakon · Member

Hi, All,

My husband and I will be renting/hiring a car in May for our trip to Ireland. I have read the postings on insurance, but they are four years old or older. Does anyone have more up-to-date information? Anyone have an idea of how much it will cost to rent an SUV with insurance for a month? My husband has been looking at the rental sites, but I wanted to find out about insurance from someone who may have personal experience before we committed.

Thanks for any help,

tresakon

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

If you look at the Dan Dooley website http://www.dandooley.com/ they have 'boxes for 'DECLINE CDW' and "EXCESS WAIVER" If you select 'NO' for DECLINE CDW and 'YES' for 'EXCESS WAIVER' you will have a quote for all major insurances. Other than THOSE, you could be offered 'Window, Tyre and Glass' and 'Personal Injury' -- Tyre and Glass can come in handy (usually 8 - 12 Euro per day), but 'Personal Injury' only covers you if you are in the car and have an accident. If you already have Travel Insurance (or valid Medical coverage while in Ireland), that coverage usually isn't needed.

I ran a 'Test' Quote, from 2 May - 31 May and came up with this:

Rate Details
Car Class :	Nissan Qashqai Auto ( auto )
Basic Rental :	$1748.13
LLI :	$260.15
CDI :	$130.07
Extras :	$617.85
Total Amount :	$2756.20

Now -- That's for an AUTOMATIC transmission and they are typically much more than for a Manual transmission. Like-wise, an Intermediate Sized CAR -- lists out for $2221.33 for an Automatic , but a Manual Intermediate is only $1,408.37 for a Petrol Engine and $1,473.41 for a Diesel. I don't usually reserve a Diesel, yet am almost always given one when I arrive. The extra 'Fee' is presumably just to Guarantee that a Diesel fueled vehicle is available.

I don't know if Dooley has the best vehicle choice / price for YOUR rental, but this should give you a 'Starting' point.

tony2phones · Guru

Why an SUV?

The Qashqi is much favoured but its a beast on the outside with a compact's space inside. The widest of all the vehicles on the rental fleets including the VW 9 seat bus.

Judy · Guru

Teasakon.....This may be helpful for you. We have an SUV (Qashqi) reserved from Dan Dooley for this spring. The total cost is $1285.00 for 14 days. It includes all insurance and tax.
The Qashqi SUV is a Group R vehicle similar to a Nissan Rogue in the US.

Tony.....We wanted an SUV on this trip because of the ease getting into and out of the vehicle. Also, we drive an SUV here at home so we wanted something similar. We are getting too old to be a contortionist with getting into and out of the smaller cars.

tresakon · Member

Thank you, Judy. This is good info. We had not looked at Dan Dooley, but will see what is available. We also drive an SUV and thought it would be good to have. Mostly what swayed us is that we want to be able to take little roads into the countryside without having to worry about getting into someplace that would be difficult with a small car.

Thanks, Italian Chauffeur, for the detailed quote. We would be happy enough with a manual and will probably go with that. Our budget is a little flexible, but we know it will be a shock as we are accustomed to paying about $1.50 US for a gallon of gas in Ecuador. :)

We are going to do more research tonight and then move on to finding B&Bs. When I was there a very long time ago, it was easy to find signs in windows offering a bedroom and breakfast from a family with an extra bedroom. I know things have changed, but that memory of meeting such nice folks still lingers with me and I hope that it might be possible to experience that a few times on this trip.

Have a great evening, Everyone.

tearendt · Member

For what it is worth..... We have rented a Volkswagen Golf (Hertz) through Auto Europe for 11 days in May. Much smaller car with manual shift....and includes full zero deductible insurance for $460. Pick up in Dublin (non-airport) and drop off at Shannon Airport. We have used Auto Europe for all seven various country trips in the past.

Tim

tresakon · Member

Tim, you must have gotten quite a deal. The cheapest I found on an initial search of AutoEurope was $735 for economy and $971 for a mini. Surely, there must be better deals. Do you have ay search tips?

Thanks,

tresakon

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

Remember to compare apples to apples -- and NOT, to oranges! hmm hmm

Tim's quote is for a compact -- for 11 days.

Judy's quote is for a Qashqi -- for 14 days.

My 'Test Quote' was for a Qashqi, for 29 days.

AutoEurope is a 'Consolidator', acting as agents for Enterprise, Alamo, Avis and Hertz. Their quotes do NOT include 'Location / Airport Surcharge (approx. 30 Euro). Initial Fuel, NOR 'Excess' Coverage for the 2,200 Euro 'Deductible on both the CDW and Theft. The price also does not include coverage for tire, glass, mirrors, lost keys, wrong fuel use, or under-carriage damage. I can't find anything on their website that details cost of 'Excess' cover, nor for tire and glass cover -- or, even if it is available.

tearendt · Member

Just to help clarify..... I have rented through Auto Europe seven times....Italy.....France....Czech Republic....Spain.....etc. They booked through Avis and Hertz. This reservation that I made quite awhile ago will be through Hertz. The airport surcharge would be the same for any rental company...... and so would there be a different location drop off surcharge. My reservation is for pick-up city center in Dublin since we will be in Dublin for a couple of days before needing the car. Drop off is at Shannon airport and any fee is included. I believe I have the full insurance covering the CWD with zero deductible. The undercarriage and tire coverage I will decide on when picking up the car at Hertz..... most likely I'll add that locally after searching through this thread. I searched on their website but ultimately called them directly for the reservation so I could ask questions. I might add that back in 2010 I had a nightmare experience dropping our rental car off at Avis in Orvieto Italy. The issue was scratches and marks on the car..... I appealed through Auto Europe when getting back home and all charges were credited back on my card. Very glad at the time that I had Auto Europe as an advocate.

Tim

Roy · Guru

I have a question concerning basis CDW and supplemental third party insurance. I have a co-worker traveling in early June through a Groupon deal. if they purchase supplemental insurance, such as world wide insurance, will they then be covered to $0 deductible?

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

Yes, Third-Party 'Excess' Cover will 'fill the gap' of the standard CDW and Theft deductible -- and also cover tires, wheels, lost keys and fuel -- BUT -- The car hire company will treat the Coverage in the same manner as Credit Card coverage: A deposit up to the value of the CDW / Theft deductible will likely still be applied and any damage will be billed to the renter and it will be up to them to claim it back from the insurance company.

Since the insurance only covers the 'Excess', they will still need to buy the Basic CDW and Theft coverage. If that comes via the Groupon 'Deal', then they should be set.

tearendt · Member

Bob..... Please see the attached quote. Does it seem to include the excess and other charges I need to be aware of...... other than the drop off and fuel?

Thanks, Tim

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

Tim -- You invoice states "0" Deductible, so it certainly appears to include both CDW, Theft and 'Excess' cover. It also states "including roof, glass and undercarriage" -- but I'm curious that it does NOT mention 'tyres and wheels'. I suggest to query them via email for clarification.

Although the 'One Way Fee' of 35.24 Euro is the only charge detailed in the 'Local Charges' "Box", the section titled "Your Rental Excludes" denotes the following additional (Local) Fees:

"Credit Card Fee of Eur 5.00 will be applied to any extras" (This is a standard charge for Hertz, although nonsensical, since you MUST use a Credit Card.)

"Location Surcharge of approximately EUR 30 or EUR 50 at the Baggot Street Bridge location, paid locally." ( I would ask about this, as well. It's a standard fee (BUT, which amount?) I find it annoying that: a) It isn't included in the Base Rental Price; since, b) There appears to be NO location in Ireland that does NOT charge a 'Premium Location' Fee. )

Also excluded is Personal Injury Protection (likely, NOT needed-- assuming you have adequate alternative medical coverage) and Initial Fuel cost.

On the Golf (or equivalent) that charge / Deposit will be roughly 60 - 80 Euro for the 50 liter tank -- depending on fuel type and mark up. Cost will be refunded if you return the car with a full tank.

Hence, your 'FULLY Inclusive Rate' that you pre-paid will be 'Supplemented' by a charge at collection of somewhere in the vicinity of 140 - 170 Euro -- Although the Fuel charge IS refundable.

tearendt · Member

Bob..... Thanks for your advice...... I'm feeling more comfortable about the rental. I'll be sure to ask and include any additional tires and wheels rider since those items look to get abused quite easily. As you point out this is a pre-paid rental....although I once cancelled a trip and they credited a full refund. I'll try and give an update post trip to help others.

Tim

Irish_Phil · Member

I saw on another web site you can check your MC World coverage --call 1-800-MCASSIST to request the letter of coverage.

I will get this done before I leave and if I don't have coverage then I guess I will pay the rental company.

Thanks

Phil

tresakon · Member

Hi, All,

We have gone through the process of getting all our documents and credit card approved and are down to actually making a rental. Thanks to Itallian Chauffeur for all the information about fees. It helps a lot.

What is a good recommendation for a car that could make occasional 'off-the-beaten-path' trips? I know SUVs will be more difficult to get down a narrow lane, but what about ground clearance? Is that something to consider? We are leaning toward something like a Golf.

thanks,
tresakon

tony2phones · Guru

Depends what you call off the beaten path? You are unlikely to be doing any green lane jaunts (thats rougher than a bohreen with a bit of grass in the middle) so you don't need the type of yoke I have in the yard. ordinary everyday cars are fine and a Golf would be a popular everyday day car even round here in the east Galway forestry.

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

I've driven pretty much every class / type of rental vehicle in Ireland -- with the exclusion of the 'Mini' or Economy offerings -- Compact, Mid-Size, 5, 7 and 9 Passenger People Movers and even the Qashqai (SUV / Crossover), but I would say that 75% of our rentals have been in the Ford Focus / VW Golf / Renault Megane.

While the larger vehicles DO sit a bit higher and afford SLIGHTLY more ground clearance and visibility, I've visited quite a few 'Off The beaten Path' locations in ALL of them without any serious difficulty -- although parking a Mercedes Vito in the Parking Garage adjacent to the Galway Jury's Inn WAS challenging! aww aww ---

When I've opted to choose a larger vehicle for just the two of us, I've always based the decision more on the needs of the trip and the price differential -- rather than the expectation of 'off-roading' -- which, by the way, would Void all insurances, anyway. I've sometimes found that a mid-size is only $20 or $30 more than a compact for a two week rental, so I've deemed it 'worth it' -- given the amount of driving anticipated for THAT trip -- but I've also stuck with the Focus when three of us were traveling . . .

In short -- a Focus class should be fine, but the Qashqai MIGHT be worth considering IF the price isn't too much of an increase over the Focus / Golf. It's really a Judgement Call on YOUR part.

Michele Erdvig · Host

As Tony and Bob said you will be fine with what ever car you get. IMPORTANT NOTE: Driving off-road or onto the various driving beaches voids your insurance if an incident occurs. Be careful with that and check your insurance plan.

Irish_Phil · Member

MasterCard World is sending me a " letter of coverage".

The only countries they do not cover are: Italy, Australia and New Zealand.

They told me Ireland is the #1 country they send this letter out for. They cover all damage but not personal injury.

Get it one week before your rental,

Best # : 800-622-7747.

Good Luck !!

Phil

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

Credit cards also do not cover:tires, wheels, glass, lost keys, or you putting in the wrong type of fuel.

But, then again, neither does the Rental Car Company's CDW, or 'Excess' . . .

Michele Erdvig · Host

Bob, I have a Visa card that will cover tires, wheels, glass, etc. Most don't but this one does. Even though it has a "foreign transaction fee" I still use it to book my car rentals.

wckc · Guru

Michelle - what bank is that Visa through? Do you have any issues? Our Citibank visa card through Costco covers Ireland, but I'm not certain if they cover tires or not - I guess I need to check that. Our MC from Capital 1 doesn't have foreign transaction fees - the Visa does. BUT if we can get coverage for tires and glass without buying a supplemental policy, that will save money...

Michele Erdvig · Host

My card is a Chase Freedom Visa Signature. They cover the whole car including mirrors, tires, glass, etc. But call yours as they may have the same coverage.

Roy · Guru

Michele, what do you do for 3rd party liability and personal accident insurance?

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

Roy -- Third Party Liability is provided by the Rental Company on ALL cars as it is Mandatory, by Irish Law.

Personal Injury is something I never consider. My US Health Insurance covers me in Ireland -- although, it does so at "Out Of Network" rates. Trip Medical Insurance might be an option?

Roy · Guru

Thanks Bob!

Roy · Guru

It's been a while since I used a credit card instead of purchasing coverage. This tread has been very helpful. I just got my Chase Freedom upgraded to a signature card. Once the new card arrives, I'll take a look at the rental car benefits that Michele has described.

Michele Erdvig · Host

Roy, I hope that card works out for you. Actually, I was stunned when I quizzed them and they told me it covers "everything" about the car including tires, mirrors, glass, etc. As Bob has said Third Party is included in all Ireland car rentals. My personal insurance covers medical abroad so you might check with yours about that. Hubby ended up in hospital in Belfast once after cracking his head at the Giant's Causeway and our insurance company paid for it. However, they wanted proof we were there and I had to send them our boarding cards, etc. to and from Ireland. So save documentation.