Rental Car Insurance and International permit Questions

Do most travelers use their credit card rental car insurance or the rental car insurance plans?

Depends on the credit card and country. Some countries are EXCLUDED by some CC card companies

Do you get additional insurance for personal injury for the people in your own car?

Probably depends on what sort of medical coverage one already has, as to whether buying this type from the rental co.

Most rental car insurance overseas comes from your credit card company--if they provide rental car insurance. American personal auto insurance policies are invalid in Europe.

In Ireland and Italy, most credit card companies do not cover insurance. In Italy, the CDW coverage is fairly priced and it's mandatory per government regulations. In Ireland, I've seen high CDW rates.

I once read the list of terms and conditions for my credit card company about car rentals picked up in Germany and driven in Croatia. They didn't cover CDW there. I suggest you go online and read what your credit card says about car rental damages and losses. I've been known to cut a copy of those pages to carry with me.

I've never been asked to see an International Driver's License by anyone. But that doesn't mean if you drive enough miles in Europe you might be required to show it.

I cannot speak to the insurance question, but I strongly recommend getting an IDP. We have been stopped in three different countries by the police; none of which spoke English. My local drivers license and the IDP were required. They let us leave and I believe the IDP was a major factor as they could not read my local license, but they could read the IDP. Get it and hope you never need to use it.

most of Europe requires an additional international driver's permit

I doubt this is true, in any event only Croatia matters to you. Maybe poster who often goes there has the answer. It may also matter if your state license has the little numbers next to the fields.

Do you get additional insurance for personal injury for the people in your own car?

Everyone should already have medical insurance for Croatia. If you use the premium Amex policy this is included, $20 or so per rental with Amex card set up for the premium policy.

Do most travelers use their credit card rental car insurance or the rental car insurance plans?

It’s probably 50-50, I use the card insurance.

Ref Bob “I believe the IDP was a major factor as they could not read my local license”

If your driver license has the little numbers already mentioned by me, any official in Europe can “read” your license, irrespective of their English ability.

Little numbers: a 1 before your surname, a 3 before your birthdate, etc.

Thank you to all replies.

In terms of medical insurance, do you purchase that with additional trip insurance? or your personal medical insurance? I have looked at and printed all the CC rental car liability information and starting to highlight. I'm still torn but will move ahead on the international permit.

Does your existing medical policy cover international claims? You may not need to buy any.

It’s good to read insurance policies but the liability is what it is, whatever the rental car is offering is what you are stuck with. Often there’s an option to buy additional liability but I pass. Also careful: the EU mandates car rental agencies provide certain insurance coverage for EU residents, but you will be offered less free coverage, so make sure you are reading the policy US citizens get.

Thank you Tom!