We will be renting a car in Buxton through Enterprise for 26 days and returning the car in Penrith/Lake District. The rental will include Damage Waiver in the rental cost. My understanding is that renting in England, liability insurance is included in the cost of the rental? Excess from the Damage Waiver is 1000 Pounds. To get the excess protection will be $411 total for the 26 days. We are leaning towards getting this coverage for peace of mind so that we can walk away (less 100 pounds) if there is damage to the car. However, we also read that tires, personal items, if stolen, and wind shield is not included in the excess protection, so we will still have to pay for those if damaged. We have American Express card and learned about their Premium Car Rental insurance which is a lot cheaper, $17.95 (we are from California) for the entire rental period. Seems to cover more too? Sounds too good to be true?! But does not include tires? Does anyone have experience with actually having to file a claim with American Express? Do you have to deny responsibility for any damage Enterprise charges you, let them charge your credit card, then let American Express handle it? I assumed we will have to get all the paperwork and document to show the damages and charges in order for American Express to process claim? Is it easier to just pay the $411 to get the Enterprise's Excess Protection so we won't have to worry about filing claim? Feedback and actual experiences would be greatly appreciated
Posted by
Royaume-Uni nul points, pas plus
2600 posts
Third-party or liability insurance is included in the cost of the car hire - it's a legal requirement.
For insurance to cover things inside the car (as well as the car) you have three choices.
Don't bother with insurance
Buy the insurance offered by the car hire company
Arrange your own insurance.
If you go for the third option the car hire company will charge your card for any amount owed - but they won't contact, or get involved with, your credit card company. You will need to sort out any claim with American Express and provide them with the necessary paperwork for reimbursement.
Posted by
Singapore
590 posts
I opt for the rental company's insurance because my peace of mind is worth something. I've never had to claim, but I did once over hear a conversation upon returning my car - the hirer had been in a serious accident and the car had been towed. Fortunately, he'd taken the hire company's insurance, and there was nothing to pay.
Posted by
white plains, ny, usa
4166 posts
A bit off topic - Are you only picking the car up in Buxton , or are you staying there for several days ?
Posted by
OP
22 posts
Staying in Buxton for several days before driving off to the Yorkshire Moors (Pickering/Lockton area)
Posted by
La Pine, Or
83 posts
We are renting in Southampton in May through Alamo. I contacted Citi bank for using my Costco card to rent the car. The coverage states they will cover any problems as long as I DON'T take the coverage offered with the rental company at pick up. Usually we use AMEX, but we may use Costco this time. We've rented numerous cars in Europe & have never had an issue with damage, etc.
Posted by
white plains, ny, usa
4166 posts
I hope this isn't prying into your plans . I used Buxton as a base for a week last Autumn having picked up my car rental in Manchester . the location worked well , and Buxton itself was a cute town , However your choice of hotel there. is critical . I had booked at The Palace Hotel . This appeared to be a mid ninetieth century hotel , restored and updated . Nothing could have been further from reality In thirteen extended trips to Europe , this was the worst place we have ever had . Massive fire code and electrical violations , the whole place was decrepit and filthy . We got through it , and The Peak is lovely . , but if you've booked this place , quickly run the other way . More detail if you need it
Posted by
OP
22 posts
Steven, thanks for the tip. We will be staying in a local BnB