Hiring car in the USA - Insurance
Discussion
Apoligies for asking as I expect this has been done to death, but I couldnt find much on here with a quick search.
I'm looking to hire a car when I visit the US in December. The last time I hired a car I was naive and got raped over additional charges, mainly for the insurance. So can someone educate me on what I need to get? The car will just be something like a Fusion through Enterprise, nothing exotic.
I;ve also been told you can get insurance in the UK before you travel and is much cheaper, is this true?
I'm looking to hire a car when I visit the US in December. The last time I hired a car I was naive and got raped over additional charges, mainly for the insurance. So can someone educate me on what I need to get? The car will just be something like a Fusion through Enterprise, nothing exotic.
I;ve also been told you can get insurance in the UK before you travel and is much cheaper, is this true?
Or if you have a Gold American Express you are fully covered under their T's and C's. Most fees are built in online of you use an airline, car here company etc that us UK based.
Many states have what is called a no fault policy and as a driver you also need to carry a medical insurance policy in addition to a car insurance policy. This is why the insurance is so high in the USA on rental cars. Too many uninsured drivers and people claiming huge medical frauds.
Many states have what is called a no fault policy and as a driver you also need to carry a medical insurance policy in addition to a car insurance policy. This is why the insurance is so high in the USA on rental cars. Too many uninsured drivers and people claiming huge medical frauds.
Not just the US either - my wife just spent 10 days in UK visiting family. She rented some bizarre little Toyota I never heard of (Auris?)
Hertz charged GBP129.00 for 9 days unlimited miles.
By the time they'd added "Location Fees" (LHR), CDW, theft insurance (she was visiting South Wales, after all) and VAT the cost rose to GBP435.00
She could have bought a f
king car for that.
Hertz charged GBP129.00 for 9 days unlimited miles.
By the time they'd added "Location Fees" (LHR), CDW, theft insurance (she was visiting South Wales, after all) and VAT the cost rose to GBP435.00
She could have bought a f
king car for that. belleair302 said:
Or if you have a Gold American Express you are fully covered under their T's and C's. Most fees are built in online of you use an airline, car here company etc that us UK based.
Many states have what is called a no fault policy and as a driver you also need to carry a medical insurance policy in addition to a car insurance policy. This is why the insurance is so high in the USA on rental cars. Too many uninsured drivers and people claiming huge medical frauds.
Thanks for that. I'll be taking out travel/medical insurance when i travel, will that be sufficient? It'll be in WA by the way.Many states have what is called a no fault policy and as a driver you also need to carry a medical insurance policy in addition to a car insurance policy. This is why the insurance is so high in the USA on rental cars. Too many uninsured drivers and people claiming huge medical frauds.
Trev450 said:
What's wrong with South Wales? 
Sorry - didn't mean to be personally offensive. Her family lives around Abercarn and when she visited in 2009 her hire car got walked over (bonnet, roof and boot dented), in 2011 her number plates got nicked and in 2013 two of the wheels/tires stolen.Not sure if that's plain bad luck, or typical of the car crime in the area
Matt Harper said:
Trev450 said:
What's wrong with South Wales?
Sorry - didn't mean to be personally offensive. Her family lives around Abercarn and when she visited in 2009 her hire car got walked over (bonnet, roof and boot dented), in 2011 her number plates got nicked and in 2013 two of the wheels/tires stolen.Not sure if that's plain bad luck, or typical of the car crime in the area
I will admit that some areas of S Wales are a bit rough, but I feel that your good lady may have been somewhat unfortunate to have been 'targetted' three times. 3xpendable said:
Thanks for that. I'll be taking out travel/medical insurance when i travel, will that be sufficient? It'll be in WA by the way.
The medical insurance will cover you if you beak a bone, need to see a doctor / dentist or any medical emergency. It does not cover any form of car insurance, but will cover you if you are in an accident and need to go to hospital.What I was trying to say is that in some states the reason the insurance premium is so high when renting a car is that it covers the medical insurance of those in both vehicles until the police, insurance companies etc sort out with the medical people who owes what to who and why.
In the UK we have the 'NHS', paid for out of income tax and VAT etc. in the US each individual chooses a variety of medical insurance policies either supplied by an employer or if self employed by your own research. When hiring a car as a non American your car insurance policy also included medical coverage for any accident. Be warned an ambulance trip can cost £400 and a tetanus shot £150.
I believe the Gold Amex Card still covers all car insurance costs and standard travel medical insurance too if booked on the card.
belleair302 said:
The medical insurance will cover you if you beak a bone, need to see a doctor / dentist or any medical emergency. It does not cover any form of car insurance, but will cover you if you are in an accident and need to go to hospital.
What I was trying to say is that in some states the reason the insurance premium is so high when renting a car is that it covers the medical insurance of those in both vehicles until the police, insurance companies etc sort out with the medical people who owes what to who and why.
In the UK we have the 'NHS', paid for out of income tax and VAT etc. in the US each individual chooses a variety of medical insurance policies either supplied by an employer or if self employed by your own research. When hiring a car as a non American your car insurance policy also included medical coverage for any accident. Be warned an ambulance trip can cost £400 and a tetanus shot £150.
I believe the Gold Amex Card still covers all car insurance costs and standard travel medical insurance too if booked on the card.
Ok, so bearing in mind I don't have a Gold Amex Card and will be renting for a week in Washington State, what do I need?What I was trying to say is that in some states the reason the insurance premium is so high when renting a car is that it covers the medical insurance of those in both vehicles until the police, insurance companies etc sort out with the medical people who owes what to who and why.
In the UK we have the 'NHS', paid for out of income tax and VAT etc. in the US each individual chooses a variety of medical insurance policies either supplied by an employer or if self employed by your own research. When hiring a car as a non American your car insurance policy also included medical coverage for any accident. Be warned an ambulance trip can cost £400 and a tetanus shot £150.
I believe the Gold Amex Card still covers all car insurance costs and standard travel medical insurance too if booked on the card.
Here is a breakdown of a quote from Enterprise to rent a Fusion for a week:
1 Week @ $ 199.99 USD $ 199.99 USD
Drop Charge $ 0.00 USD
CONCESSION FEE $ 20.00 USD
WA STATE RENTAL TAX $ 13.16 USD
VEH LIC COST RECFEE $ 3.08 USD
SALES TAX $ 18.29 USD
- Total Charges: $ 254.52 USD
So, do I need anything else?
Not my words - but a pretty simple explanation....
Car-Rental Company CDW
The simplest solution is to buy a CDW supplement from the car-rental company (it’s the main extra included in the “inclusive” rates you’ll see in quoted prices). This coverage technically isn’t insurance; rather, it’s a waiver: The car-rental company waives its right to collect a high deductible from you in the event the car is damaged. Note that this “waiver” doesn’t actually eliminate the deductible, but just reduces it. CDW covers most of the car if you’re in a collision, but usually excludes the undercarriage, roof, tires, windshield, windows, interior, and side mirrors.
CDW generally costs $10–30 a day (figure roughly 30 percent extra). Sometimes the CDW charge itself is a little less when combined with theft/loss insurance as part of an “inclusive” rental rate — it’s often cheaper to pay for this kind of coverage when you book than when you pick up the car.
When purchasing CDW, the reduced deductibles can still be substantial, with most hovering at about $1,000–1,500 (or more, depending on the car type). Most rental companies also offer a second tier of coverage, called “super CDW” or “zero-deductible coverage” to buy down the deductible to zero or near zero (if you didn’t opt for this when booking from home, expect to hear a sales pitch from the counter agent). This is pricey — figure about an additional $10–30 per day — but, for some travelers, it’s worth the peace of mind.
CDW does not usually cover theft.
The rental desk muppet gets paid commission on insurance up-grades, which is why they push them so hard.
Car-Rental Company CDW
The simplest solution is to buy a CDW supplement from the car-rental company (it’s the main extra included in the “inclusive” rates you’ll see in quoted prices). This coverage technically isn’t insurance; rather, it’s a waiver: The car-rental company waives its right to collect a high deductible from you in the event the car is damaged. Note that this “waiver” doesn’t actually eliminate the deductible, but just reduces it. CDW covers most of the car if you’re in a collision, but usually excludes the undercarriage, roof, tires, windshield, windows, interior, and side mirrors.
CDW generally costs $10–30 a day (figure roughly 30 percent extra). Sometimes the CDW charge itself is a little less when combined with theft/loss insurance as part of an “inclusive” rental rate — it’s often cheaper to pay for this kind of coverage when you book than when you pick up the car.
When purchasing CDW, the reduced deductibles can still be substantial, with most hovering at about $1,000–1,500 (or more, depending on the car type). Most rental companies also offer a second tier of coverage, called “super CDW” or “zero-deductible coverage” to buy down the deductible to zero or near zero (if you didn’t opt for this when booking from home, expect to hear a sales pitch from the counter agent). This is pricey — figure about an additional $10–30 per day — but, for some travelers, it’s worth the peace of mind.
CDW does not usually cover theft.
The rental desk muppet gets paid commission on insurance up-grades, which is why they push them so hard.
Edited by Matt Harper on Friday 4th September 21:57
This place is now the only company I use to hire cars in the US as all the insurance is included with zero excess, plus it allows you to choose from the various companies and turn up, sign some docs and never pressure sold additional cover. I've probably hired 30+ cars through them in the US and never had a problem, they even sorted me a Mustang Convertible for 3 months when I did a Cali road trip. Can't praise them enough. Oh and their prices are hard to beat.
www.autoeurope.co.uk
www.autoeurope.co.uk
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