I am renting a car from Enterprise. They tell me that the first 1000 pounds of body damage and wheel tire damage is not part of the insurance that comes with the car, but that I can buy the excess coverage for 20 pounds a day. So about 400 pounds for 1000 pounds coverage on a 20 day rental. They use the scare tactic of saying 1 out of 3 renters have this sort of damage. Pricey for what you get.
Are there cheaper alternatives other than going without this coverage? TIA.
What coverage does your credit card provide when utilized for renting the vehicle?
Agree with the use of scare tactics by rental companies. We are renting a car in Dijon in May and American Express has an economic car rental coverage…..19.95 to 24.95 for $ 100,000 coverage. Seems quite reasonable.
I wouldn’t say it’s a scare tactic, rather a sales pitch. It all depends on your risk tolerance whether to take it or not. We’ve never gotten the excess protection in the UK and fortunately have never had an issue. Driving on the left when you’re not used to it, it is easy to scrape and bump the curbs. We do get the CDW either through the rental company or Allianz since nowadays the price is similar.
I always take out a separate car hire excess insurance which usually covers me for an annual, multi trip period for around £40 covering Europe, slightly more to include the US. There's only one company that I can find that covers US residents and that is worldwideinsure.com. A quote for cover for a 20 day period in the UK came back as £99 for standard cover and £115 for deluxe. That policy is an annual wordwide cover for a maximum of 60 days (including car rental in your home country), a 20 day UK only cover came out as slightly more expensive for some reason.
Worth having a look as it's certainly cheaper than the rental company's excess waiver fee.
I would agree that it is expensive but you have to realize that what you are paying for is peace of mind of not having to worry if anything happens. On the other side, the alternate insurance would probably be cheaper but you probably will have to pay for the damages out of pocket and then be reimbursed by the external insurance. It's your choice. My opinion
Most U.K. garages operated by the main brand dealerships charge £100 per hour in labour costs, so it’s not surprising that there’s a hefty excess.
I too have an annual policy that covers me anywhere in Europe, which is cheaper than paying the excess for a single trip from the car hirer.
there could also be a transatlantic language issue in play here.
The term excess is not meaning extra.
The term excess in the UK means the same as deductible or co-payment means in the US. It is the amount you have to pay before the insurance can begin to pay out.
My experience with Enterprise (US only) is they make like Sherlock Holmes with his magnifying glass when they do the return inspection. Most of the other agencies I have used do a quick walk around ans are more interested in the gas level, than door dings.
Be sure you have your insurance sorted out before you pick up the car.
I would get it..... I always get it- lets just say the country where I've dinged up cars the most has been England, so its worth it to not get a surprise "bill" for some rim scratch or damage, or body damage, even if slight. I've dinged cars there 2/3 times either on a curb, or while attempting to park (hit a "warning pole"- totally warped the side panel and got paint all over it).
Some places you can get the same level of coverage (you'd have to do your homework of course), but you'll prob still have to fork over the $$$$ and then ask for reimbursement if you do happen to scratch it up.
Some incorrect information about the Amex car insurance has been posted here.
My experience with Enterprise (US only) is they make like Sherlock Holmes with his magnifying glass when they do the return inspection.
I've rented from Enterprise in the UK on a number of occasions. Never experienced an inspection on return.
Keep in mind that there are two types of rental car insurance you can get through your credit card. Most cards include as a "benefit" free rental car coverage, and then some cards offer a premium coverage, which you must enroll in, and pay an additional cost for, when you rent a car. AMEX Premium Rental Insurance is an example of the latter, you pay a flat fee for the rental, others may charge by the day or week.
To me, it is get what you pay for, I do not rely on the free coverage, if you do, then understand what is covered, what insurance you must decline from the rental car company, and what the claims procedure is. To just assume you are "covered" will likely mean in the event of a claim you will not have something like a Police or Damage report, and you will be fighting with both the rental car company and your credit card.
I do use the AMEX premium on some rentals, including the UK. In other Countries like Italy, I take the rental companies insurance, full coverage.
Thanks for all the input. Yes, "excess" means "deductible" in the UK. Seems that insurance, less the deductible is included in car rentals in that country (my experience renting there with Alamo as well). I guess the advantage that one pays for with Enterprise's excess coverage is that you wouldn't have to pay and submit a claim for reimbursement with your own insurer.
Pretty expensive convenience though and given the "hard sell," must be a good profit item for the company.
It sounds like the American Express card premium insurance coverage (about $25 per entire rental period as long as one uses their card to pay the rental) is the cost effective way to go. I will have to read Amex's Ts and Cs to see if I have to pay and get reimbursed or how they deal with claims. Btw, I agree that Enterprise does use a magnifying glass approach to inspect returning cars.
This is anecdotal and third-hand, but a traveler on a recent "Join Us In France" podcast episode relayed a story where he paid for damage up front, expecting to be reimbursed by his CC company (Barclay?). The card company never reimbursed him because they said they only pay once they can confirm the repairs have been made. They were unable to confirm that after the fact, and after he had paid the rental company. Personally, I have never bought the rental company's coverage, and always counted on using my CC that promises coverage. I've never had an issue or needed to use it, but now I'm re-thinking my plans. YMMV.
