After serving in Europe many years ago, we are looking forward to 4+ days at Normandy - and renting a car in Caen. Seems There are 5 different car rental companies. We've looked back to these Rick Steves' Europe Travel Forums dated before June 1, 2019 before the recent 75th D-Day anniversary. Found No postings regarding best or worst car rental experiences near downtown Caen. Kindly offer your rental experiences.
Also Should I buy CDW & theft protection 1) directly from the agency when we check in or 2)from Kayak / Orbitz' third party at reservation time, Or use my 3) credit card coverage. Need help please Thanks.
Posted by
Portland OR
65 posts
I got a good deal on Auto Europe for Hertz for our trip next month. RS also recommends it.
Just to be safe, I got full coverage.
Posted by
San Francisco/Marin County
9420 posts
I agree with pdx, we always use AutoEurope.com and go with best deal.
We get max coverage either with a credit card or with the rental company.
Posted by
Florida, USA
12172 posts
I've used Auto Europe. They're fine but best? I've used Hertz and Thrifty in and around France and had no problem with either. My last rental in May (Ireland) was with Auto Europe. I mainly called them because the cost of the car was so low, I wasn't sure if I was reading it right? Auto Europe lets you talk to someone (akin to a travel agent) who books it for you. My card got charged a 5,000 deposit (refunded promptly when I returned the car undamaged). I don't think that was an Auto Europe thing as much as issues with using card rental insurance in Ireland.
Posted by
Middletown, RI
1140 posts
I've used Hertz exclusively in France. Including picking up or dropping off in Caen (multiple times), Bayeux, Paris, Cherbourg and Nancy. No problems, always seemed like a good rate, but nothing to compare them to service-wise.
Posted by
Paris
6909 posts
To clarify, Auto Europe is a broker / consolidator; they direct you to the car rental company with their voucher. And you can pick your company as you book, based on price and whatever other factor. They also offer supplementary insurance, which is cheaper than rental companies' coverage, but I only bought it once and didn't have a claim.