Hiring car in the USA - Insurance

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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?

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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.

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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?

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

I'll obviously have my travel/medical insurance policy and I know about the whole "Driver licence code generator"

So, do I need anything else?