Hello fellow travelers: Happily after a few years of not traveling internationally due to covid, hubby and I are going to France for 3&1/2 weeks. From Marseille via Gorges du Verdon we will head to Nice and visit a few of the hillside villages and drive the Moyen and Grand Corniches. We are very excited. Here is the issue: we will rent a car in Marseille and keep it until we leave Nice - 6 days. We have CDW coverage on our credit card. And, we know to turn down that CDW coverage from the rental agency. I see there are short-term auto liability policies available these days. Does anyone know the benefit (or uselessness) of such a policy? Would taking one out be advisable?And, if so, is there a way to check the quality of the companies offering such policies? Thanks for information.
Posted by
Citizen of the World
2012 posts
Buying “liability” coverage is not necessary because all car rentals in France automatically include unlimited 3rd Party insurance, which covers a driver for property damage, bodily injury or death inflicted on others. You can not opt out of this automatic coverage ( nor would you want to) to get CDW for free from your credit card. You might want to check out www.AutoEurope.com and www.RentalCars.com which can tack on the two coverages that do not come automatically with French car rentals—theft protection and the CDW —both for a daily rate of about $15 if you buy the coverage in advance when you reserve your car online.
What you may not yet realize is that picking up a car in Marseille and dropping it off in Nice is going to incur surcharges that will be more expensive than the purchase of both the CDW and Theft coverages.
Posted by
L'Occitanie, France
10623 posts
Not all rental companies charge the drop fee. Hertz does, about 45last time we rented from them, EuropCar doesn't. You can compare costs and added fees on Autoeurope.
Posted by
OP
lake forest park, washington, usa
121 posts
Thank you for the information. After much comparison shopping, I went with Europcar. Very much cheaper than others I found.
Yes, I know about additional costs for separate pick up and drop off. That is typical in U.S. as well.
It appears no one is familiar with the temporary liability insurance now offered in France. I don't know if that is useful, but will continue with research in that regard. All information is appreciated. Thanks again. Susan
Posted by
Middletown, RI
1227 posts
Actually, @Kenko gave you a good description of liability insurance, and why you don't need it. Re-read the first reply to your post.
Posted by
OP
lake forest park, washington, usa
121 posts
Thank you PharmerPhil & Kenko: I did re-read what Kenko said. Kenko, I have a question or two. When you said the customer cannot opt out of the liability insurance to get CDW for free from one's credit card I found that confusing. I plan to decline the CDW coverage because I do have it on my credit card, and it will not be available to me if I pay for the CDW offered on the rental. Will that negate my coverage by the rental agency's liability insurance which you indicate is "unlimited" ? Is that what you meant? and, if so, do you know where I could find official language consistent with what you are telling me? It sounds too good to be true. I would think any big company would prefer to pass off liability costs to a customer if/when possible. PharmerPhil, you seemed to second what Kenko said, so I am asking you also for any further help/info you can provide in this regard. thank you both!!.
Posted by
Paris
7301 posts
Let me try to clarify a bit!
Third party liability insurance is a legal obligation in France: the rental company cannot put a car on the road without it. So, it is automatically included in rentals and not charged extra.
Collision damage/theft protection insurance (CDW/TP) is optional, but most rental companies with the notable exception of Sixt always include some coverage with a typical €1,000-1,500 excess. If you are covered through your CC you do not need to purchase any separate policy.
Personal accident insurance is unnecessary if you already have good travel insurance.
Posted by
OP
lake forest park, washington, usa
121 posts
hello Balso: I am concerned about your last sentence "Personal accident insurance is unnecessary if you already have good travel insurance." We have travel insurance, but it seems to cover only aspects related to transportation delays, losses, etc. No personal accident coverage. Is there a company or two you would recommend for inclusion of personal accident insurance? Thanks again
Susan