Hello,
We're planning a trip to three Greek islands and will be renting a car on each island. I'd appreciate your recommendations on the best way to insure the car - through the rental car agency, by using coverage offered through your credit card, or by getting car insurance added to your travel insurance plan. Thanks very much!
Posted by
France Southwest
2630 posts
Regardless of the car rental company, there will always be the basic insurance (CDW - Collision Damage Waiver) with an amount of excess depending on the rental company and the car category. This is pretty much the only basic rule.
Then, some rental companies may offer a SCDW (Super Collision Damage Waiver) with a lower excess.
They also offer the FDW (Full Damage Waiver) with zero excess.
Most of the time none of these options cover damage to the interior of the car, glass, electronic equipment, car keys, tires, wheel covers and the damage to the undercarriage of the car.
Read carefully the Terms & Conditions page on the rental companies' websites and in the event that you take additional insurance make sure that it will be useful in situations not covered by the rental company's insurance.
Personally I have been renting cars and scooters in Greece for many years with only local rental companies on the islands, I have always taken only the basic insurance (CDW) and never needed to use any other insurance. But do not take this as a recommendation
Posted by
NH (USA)
1259 posts
I've also just gotten the basic insurance and thankfully I've never had any accidents or damage to my rental or other cars.
Always drive carefully, obey the traffic rules and watch out for the other guy.