Hi all. I am flying to Zurich in the end of June. Once I get there, I will rent a car (already booked with Hertz) for 10 days spending time in Austria, Germany and Berner Oberland area. Now, I am still not sure about what's the best deal when it comes to rental car insurance. I've rented cars more than handful times in Switzerland, Canada and many places in the States, but whenever I go to Europe, I find that insurance deal a real headache as I usually try to save money. 1) Should I just buy CDW at the rental counter? I guess it's pretty expensive. 2) I don't think I have any coverage with my very basic credit card. Am I correct? 3) Travel Guard's CDW offer sounds very tempting (less than $10 day). But do Hertz really honor it? A couple years ago, they made me pay $120ish for a tiny(x2) dent I couldn't even notice. I just don't wanna have that kind of experience again... I'd appreciate your input!
Posted by
Chicago
2876 posts
Suggest you read this: http://www.ricksteves.com/plan/tips/carrental_cdw.htm The above will answer most of your questions. You have to call your credit card issuer to find out what coverage (if any) you might have.
Posted by
Mansfield, GA
850 posts
If you have an American Express check their $24.95 premium coverage. Gives better coverage than the basic free coverage offered by the credit card companies. It is a per rental rate not a daily rate.
Be sure to decline the cdw on the rental agreement with Hertz i f you go with the Credit card.
Posted by
NYC area
2974 posts
Hi Casey, The insurance Lane is referring to is AMEX's "Premium Car Rental Protection". We used to use our Visa card for CDW until we heard about AMEX's policy. $24.95 is for the entire rental period, up to 42 days, NOT per day. It also covers a lot more than other credit card CDW insurances. The main thing is, you must sign up for the "Premium Car Rental Protection" before booking your car (no charge to sign up) AND pay for it with your AMEX card. Since you already reserved the car, you could cancel it and then re-book it with your AMEX right after signing up for the "Premium Car Rental Protection". By phone it just takes a few minutes. Paul
Posted by
Beverly Hills, MI
813 posts
The Amex Premium Car Rental Insurance sounds like a really good deal, and it is except for one minor detail. I checked it out on their web site and found that it is not valid in a few countries including Italy and Ireland. So depending on where you are going it is an excellent value but check out the fine print.
Posted by
Mansfield, GA
850 posts
As long as you pick up the car in a country other than Italy, say Switzerland or Germany for example, you can drive into Italy and the AMEX coverage is valid. It just doesn't work if the pick up point is in Italy.
Posted by
Knoxville, TN, USA
7209 posts
...or just take the train and not have to worry with any of these hassles of car rentals :-)
Posted by
Auburn, Alabama
1064 posts
Has anyone ever picked up a car in Germany, France, etc., had an accident in Italy and returned the car to the original country? If so, what was your experience? In a trickier situation, has anyone in these circumstances wrecked a car so badly that it had to be left in Italy? Rental agents in other countries might be more forgiving of scratches but hard-nosed regarding major damages incurred in Italy. Even with AmEx Premium, I would want to be absolutely sure a claim would be honored before I would take a car into Italy.