Help with checklist for renting a car in Ireland

Driving in Ireland is an adventure all by itself! A good friend, along with my daughter and I, rented a car in Ireland last summer. We signed up for all of the insurance offered, and added a navigational device. Holly was too young to drive at 23-years-old but she was the official navigator, and had us in stitches with her running commentary. We had a wonderful time even while driving as we were laughing ourselves silly over the challenges of the Irish roads. We still laugh about it! Even if my credit card provided coverage in Ireland, I would buy the insurance. I would also rent the absolute smallest car I could, and if I weren't left-handed and accustomed to a manual transmission, I would spring for an automatic. Just consider the reasons that so many credit cards and insurance companies decline coverage in Ireland, and the amount of money you might have to pay out should anything happen. I have no experience with an accident in Ireland, but I think that you will be glad to have "local" insurance the minute you drive away from the rental agency. That said, I could cheerfully live in Ireland as the people are wonderful, and the country is beautiful. We all hope to go back in a few years. Have fun!
Anne

Do yourself a favor and read the multitude of previous posts on this same subject. There has much discussion which has been quite interesting IMO. Many previous posters have looked carefully at the situation, decided that CC coverage is inadequate in Ireland and have opted to buy comprehensive policies from the rental car outfits. A few posters have decided to go with the CC insurance only. It would be interesting to hear from a traveler who has gone with CC insurance only and then had an accident. If there has been a post like that I've missed it, but it would be most helpful. Best wishes for your trip.

cf-we rented a car in Dublin, buying coverage and paying an additional $80 or so to take the deductible from $1350 to zero. We were sideswiped in Tralee by a hit and run driver, while parked, I did not report it at the time. We returned the car after seven days, in Cork, showed them and explained the damage, and got on a plane for Italy, end of story. Had we depended on credit card coverage, I am quite certain the story would have gone on for months.

My experience is that rental desks won't acknowledge or care about your card's coverage. That's between you and Chase. If you decline the offered coverage they'll place a significant hold on your card. It will be released when the car is returned so it never gets fully charged or shows up in your statement but it will reduce your available credit on that card.

If you decline the CDW you may not be able to obtain tire & mirror coverage. Not also that Chase's terms may require that you exclude the rental company's coverage to be covered by their policy. I'd skip the additional coverage since your exposure is likely to be small.

I'd stick with the major agencies. I've read bad stories where or elsewhere about Budget or Thrifty. I usually rent via Hertz since I have some history with them and consider them to be above board. If you're unsure where to rent, look at AutoEurope.com, who will show you relative rates for many companies with and without insurance. They just have a minimum rental period of three days, I think.

We rented for 2 weeks from Avis. Declined all coverages as required by our Visa card. We had a letter from them but didn't need it. We took photos and went over the car with the rental agent at pick up, as there was some previous cosmetic damage. Traveled well over 1000 miles and had no bumps, scrapes or mishaps. Drove in cities, tiny rural lanes and everything in between. Not all driving experiences in Ireland are scary or negative. My husband and son enjoyed it. Sounds like you have educated yourself. Have a great time.

In order to qualify for the credit card insurance you must turn down ALL insurance offered at the rental desk. I have told my story here many times - I trusted the cc insurance, had it in writing, checked with them repeatedly before my trip - only to have them deny coverage when I had a small accident (about $500). Even the rental company went to bat for me with the insurance, but to no avail. Even if the insurance had decided to cover it, the damage would have been charged to my credit card and reimbursed later. Rental counter insurance is more expensive, but I just consider it part of the cost of the trip. I never want to have to deal with that again.