Quick USA Car hire Question

[engineer21]

So iam hiring a Camero SS in California from Hertz in a few weeks but just had a thought about insurance in USA?? is it any differnt from hiring in UK?? only damage fee wavier required?

Thanks

[bridgdav]

LDW is standard anywhere in the world to protect the car.. And any scrapes you have in it.. bumps in patking lot etc.

BUT...

You will also need to protect yourself. Limited Liability insurance, if you hit someone, something...

You will need coverage. As the bds will sue you ass off.
If you have AMEX, they will cover you if you pay using the card.. Minimal fee and free LDW. Check it out

http://www.americanexpress.com/us/content/card-ben...

HTH

[ViperDave]

Some very good advice

bridgdav said:

LDW is standard anywhere in the world to protect the car.. And any scrapes you have in it.. bumps in patking lot etc.

BUT...

You will also need to protect yourself. Limited Liability insurance, if you hit someone, something...

You will need coverage. As the bds will sue you ass off.

followed by some very bad advice

bridgdav said:

If you have AMEX, they will cover you if you pay using the card.. Minimal fee and free LDW. Check it out

http://www.americanexpress.com/us/content/card-ben...

HTH

That link if for US cards, you need to have the appropriate card and be resident in the USA for it to be applicable. We do have amex cards in the UK that provide insurance for rental cars (platinum charge card) but it is far less common in the uk to have car rental insurance on your credit card that it is in the US.

But as has been said above you need to protect the value of the car with something like CDW/LDW and protect yourself from people you run into with supplementary liability insurance (SLI/LIS). If you book the rental from one of the UK web sites you will almost certainly have these insurances included in the price automatically (still need to check).

Insurances they may try and flog at the counter if you have those two already are likely to be for your personal possessions whilst in the car and damage to you. Both of which are likely to be covered under either your travel insurance or home contents insurance, but again its up to you to check.

If you are unsure what you are liable for, ask them two simple questions. What am I liable for if I bring back a wreck and what if someone sues me.

If you have any liability such as a deductible you cant get down to zero, make sure you check the car thoroughly and have any damage marked up before you leave.

Here is the detail from one of my recent UK reservation for a California car from hertz

recent hertz booking said:

Included in the rates
• Airport Concession Fee Recovery On Flight Arrivals
• Loss Damage Waiver
• Tax and other charges
• Liability Insurance Supplement
• Vehicle license fee recovery
• TRANSPORTATION AND FACILITIES FEE
• California Tourism Commission Assessment
• Energy Surcharge
• Unlimited Free Miles Included

Not included in the rates
• Personal Accident Insurance / Personal Effects Coverage
• PREMIUM EMERGENCY ROADSIDE SERVICE
• Refueling Options
• Additional Driver

Nb California law means spouse and domestic partners living at the same address are automatically additional drivers with no fee.

Edited by ViperDave on Saturday 20th July 08:29

[FiF]

Just noticed the Premium Emergency Roadside Assistance.

Lost keys
Running out of fuel.
Flattened battery due to leaving lights on.
Assistance with a flat tyre change putting the spare on.

Not much else.

And how much a day? Robbing gits stealing from numpties.

[bridgdav]

@ Viperdave.. I live in USA hence Amex advice....

[engineer21]

Ok so basically the personal liability should be covered in the hertz contract....something i will check on

yes i dont want my ass sued!

[ViperDave]

bridgdav said:

@ Viperdave.. I live in USA hence Amex advice....

and it would have been good advice if the OP lived in the US as well.