I am writing to ask about car rental insurance. I have spoken to AutoEurope. I am picking up in Tours and dropping off in Brive-la-Gaillarde. AutoEurope told me that the only insurance included in their quote of a National car is fire and liability (outside the car). They told me that they do not have information about the exact insurance products that will be offered at the pickup location. Do you have any ideas about how to get that information? I don't speak French so trying to call the location doesn't seem feasible. I called National in the US and they also can't tell me what is offered. (My credit card does not offer coverage so that is not an option).
Posted by
Normandie
462 posts
To me, this is one of the problems with inviting a third party in between yourself and the company from which you're renting.
My suggestion would be to do a little digging and try to find an email address for the agency in Tours where you want to rent the car. Let them know you have some questions about insurance, that you would like to speak to an English-speaking colleague about the options, and could you schedule a time to call them at what number to discuss that. Perhaps suggest a time during their business hours when you might call.
Most car rental places have staff who speak English (at least one or two) and if you give them a head's up that you'll be calling you'll be more likely to connect with one of them.
I suspect you'll probably end up buying the complete coverage package unless you like living dangerously. That will probably make your rental costs go up by ~50 percent or more.
Posted by
France Southwest
2817 posts
At the train station in Brive la Gaillarde there is not only National as a car rental company. There are also these:
Alamo, Europcar, Avis and Enterprise.
See if you can find offices of these rental companies in Tours and make rental simulations online on their websites. You will have all the information regarding the insurance options that AutoEurope is not able to provide
Posted by
Long Beach, Ca, usa
2018 posts
Insurance rules and options depend on the rental car company. AutoEurope gives you quotes from those companies. Contact them for the insurance info.