Car Rental Insurance in US
Discussion
Try www.trailfinders.com - their price is all inclusive for the top insurance 
(I'd advise to read the small print though, in case it varies from state to state - we hired in CA/NV)
(I'd advise to read the small print though, in case it varies from state to state - we hired in CA/NV)
IMO as a UK visitor to USA you need,
1. CDW (Collision Damage Waiver) so you don't have to pay for the damage to your hire car if you are involved in an accident, and
2. $1m liability top-up. Most states only require drivers to have $100,000 of third party liability insurance and that is what the rental companies provide as their basic cover. If someone is injured in an accident where you are involved (or killed) it is very likely that you will get sued for well over $100,000. As a "foreigner" driving on the "wrong" side of the road proving your innocence is going to be up hill all the way, even if it's not your fault. The $1m top up may not be enough but it's better than nothing.
Other insurances are IMO more optional,
PAI - Personal Accident Insurance. Very much a matter of personal choice but you're probably covered already if you bought decent holiday insurance. Make sure you check it.
Other insurances. Personal choice.
1. CDW (Collision Damage Waiver) so you don't have to pay for the damage to your hire car if you are involved in an accident, and
2. $1m liability top-up. Most states only require drivers to have $100,000 of third party liability insurance and that is what the rental companies provide as their basic cover. If someone is injured in an accident where you are involved (or killed) it is very likely that you will get sued for well over $100,000. As a "foreigner" driving on the "wrong" side of the road proving your innocence is going to be up hill all the way, even if it's not your fault. The $1m top up may not be enough but it's better than nothing.
Other insurances are IMO more optional,
PAI - Personal Accident Insurance. Very much a matter of personal choice but you're probably covered already if you bought decent holiday insurance. Make sure you check it.
Other insurances. Personal choice.
I have been guilty of accepting everything the hire car company offers - it's expensive but obviously covers you.
However, if you get a copy of the credit card agreement it says exactly what they will and will not cover - and it could save a great deal of money.
The issue really is why pay for something twice when you don't have to.
However, if you get a copy of the credit card agreement it says exactly what they will and will not cover - and it could save a great deal of money.
The issue really is why pay for something twice when you don't have to.
I've just got back from a trip to the US - whereas it appears most US credit card companies give you insurance for any vehicle you rent when you book on the card, the UK companies don't do that.
I pre-booked a car from Orlando through Dollar's UK website - all inclusive deal (with insurance + a tank of petrol)worked out much cheaper than if I'd done it through the US site and added in all the insurance options - which I think are essential. I think there are 3 you need to take - the Loss Damage Waiver (to cover damage to your vehicle), the Supplemental Liability Insurance (SLI) (up to $1m Liability Cover), and the Uninsured Motorists Cover (in case someone else hits you - this wasn't included in the package, but wasn't much more per week). Anyway, that deal was about £160 for 7 days, and also included mulitple drivers over the age of 25. if I'd done it through the US site, it would have been nearly twice that amount as the insurance and extra drivers adds a lot onto the rental deal.
...edited to add that for that money, we had one of these:
>> Edited by GingerNinja on Saturday 22 October 12:45
jazzybee said:
Any opinions on which optional insurance boxes I should tick when I pick up my rental car in the States. One time I ticked all the boxes, and the insurance cost twice the rental charge. What am I usually covered by my Travel insurance/car insurance/employer's insurance?
Have you already booked it?
Did you do it yourself, or as part of a package deal?
I booked the car through Travelocity - The car will be an 'intermediate' sized car from Thrifty and is costing £75 for 6 days. I checked with my card company and they say they only provide free cover if you book your holiday through their travel service (which I'm sure would have cost me a hell of a lot more). I can get comprehensive cover from a company on MoneySupermarket.com for £20 - I think I'm gonna take that and the optional CDW insurance.
Like GingerNinja, I found booking hire cars for the US on the hire company's UK websites meant all the optional insurance you'd possibly have to take out in the US is automatically included in the price of the rental when paying in GBP. Oddly, the 'all-inclusive' price you pay on the UK website is usually the base rate you'd pay if you hired direct in the US, so it works out much cheaper.
Rental insurance in the US is a scam anyway.
Rental insurance in the US is a scam anyway.
Not sure how Travelocity works, but usually if you book in the UK you get a fully inclusive price. £75 seems too cheap for that, though.
Rather than use the UK branch of the car hire company, I find that people like Airline Network (there's lot's of others too) are usually cheaper, sometimes by a long way, than the hire company direct. Expedia's a good reference point for prices, too.
>> Edited by deva link on Saturday 22 October 22:28
Rather than use the UK branch of the car hire company, I find that people like Airline Network (there's lot's of others too) are usually cheaper, sometimes by a long way, than the hire company direct. Expedia's a good reference point for prices, too.
>> Edited by deva link on Saturday 22 October 22:28
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