Six Week Auto Rental in the UK

Posted by gjcowley on 06/25/14 04:34 PM

Four of us will be spending six weeks in the UK (England and Scotland) in October/November. We need to rent a car that will accommodate our luggage and the four adults. What is the least expensive way to rent an auto (from Heathrow and return)? We have quotes from several companies, but the CDW is exhorbitant - and would more than double the cost of the rental. I know that Rick Steves has recommended leasing, but how would I go about that from the US before we leave? I can't find any details or quotes online. Can I purchase CDW from another source? If so, can you recommend that source? Which companies lease vehicles in England? I appreciate any ideas!

Gayle C in Florida

Posted by Laura

Rick Steves' Europe

06/25/14 05:01 PM

16894 posts

Leasing is based out of France (www.renaultusa.com), so there are extra fees for delivery and pick up of the car in Britain, and it will be a "normal," French, left-hand-drive car. I've done that before as part of a longer trip but it did not look like a savings last time I looked at it for a Britain-only forum question. Try www.autoeurope.com for an additional rental price quote; rates with and without CDW are easy to see from the start. For other CDW tips, see http://www.ricksteves.com/travel-tips/transportation/car-rental-cdw.

Even though a car allows you to pack more than you could carry yourself, try to keep the bags small and light because you'll still be handling them most days, and you don't want to pay for more car just for your luggage.

Posted by gjcowley OP

06/25/14 05:07 PM

2 posts

Thank you, Laura. Do you have any advice about using independent companies for CDW insurance? They offer much better rates, but I've wondered whether those companies are "safe." The rental company's rates are horrible, but I'm afraid to take a chance. Can you recommend an independent insurance that is reputable?
Thanks,
Gayle

Posted by Andrea

Sacramento, California U.S.A.

06/25/14 05:24 PM

10257 posts

Many people here suggest using the insurance you can get using an American Express card. You have to use the card to pay for the rental, but it's only about $25 total for the length of the rental. I'm not sure if there is a maximum number of days it covers. That's what I plan for my rental in a few months. Because I will actually have 2 rentals (England & France) I will have to pay twice, once for each car. Another way I've gotten coverage in the past is through my travel insurance. I get a plan separate from my travel partner since there is no reason for a non-driver to pay any extra.

Posted by Lee

Dallas

06/25/14 05:31 PM

1021 posts

Get an American Express card and sign up for Premium Insurance. It costs $25 for $100k primary insurance for the term of the rental. 42 days is the maximum time allowed so that will work for you. Decline the CDW at the rental counter and use the Amex card for the rental for automatic coverage. The savings from using this cheap insurance more than pays for my yearly Amex fee.

Posted by Ed

Pensacola

06/25/14 06:36 PM

9110 posts

Watch out.

Not all AmExp cards or programs give the same coverage. The twenty-five buck program gives you the forty-two days (in most states).

BUT, at the end of that period you may not invoke the program again within the same geographic area (100 miles ?) for some period of time (which I've forgotten, but it seems like it's a couple of weeks).

THUS, you'd have to switch cars AND cards at some point.

AmExp is the best coverage, but MC and Visa are not that much different. One thing to consider is that the lowest daily rates comes from renting for at least a week, so you'd want to split the times/cars accordingly.

I've explored leasing in the UK but it's never been as inexpensive as renting.

To be comfortable with four people and associated embarked and accumulated junk, you might want to consider a minivan rather than a larger sedan.