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RentalCars.com - Special Offer package?

Posted by (Boston, MA) on

I'm looking at RentalCars.com and see this "Special Offer - No Deductible Package - Price Includes: Unlimited Mileage, Collision Damage Waiver with No Deductible , Theft Protection, Third party Liability and Local Taxes" for about $13/day more than the rental without this special offer package (though it is slightly pricier from RentalCars.com than through Hertz.com.) Even though I am looking to rent from Hertz, I have seen this offer on rentals from other companies too, I think. Has anyone gotten this and know what it's about? Anyone tried to use it? I see on the forums that people recommend getting the full local insurance - is this what this is? If not, what is the approximate cost per day for full coverage?

For what it's worth, I'm looking at renting from Pisa Airport and returning at Rome Tiburtina. I'll actually be coming from Riomaggiore and thought Pisa would be the best place to pick up an automatic transmission car on a Sunday to drive into Tuscany, but please do let me know if there is a better alternative.

Posted by
16895 posts

RentalCars.com says that they are part of Priceline. If you've seen the same insurance package for sale with various car companies that they offer to book, then maybe they're the one selling and administering the insurance. This does not sound like it is missing anything, but you should read any info they provide about how it works. If it's similar to having insurance coverage through a credit card, then you pay for damages upfront to the car owner and get reimbursed later by the insurance. See also http://www.ricksteves.com/travel-tips/transportation/car-rental-cdw.

Posted by
1817 posts

You probably don't need full coverage. The deductible is probably 900E for damage, 1800E for theft. My ordinary Chase Visa covers the deductible as primary insurance outside the US. I'm also covered by my NH Geico auto policy. Some of the full coverage insurance may be less than full anyway. AutoEuope's doesn't cover damage in 'parking facilities' including parking lots!

You are right to give higher priority to the actual car provider (Hertz, Avis) rather than the broker. Lots of folks have taken low broker offers and bitterly regretted the Firefly or Locauto contract they ended up with. RentalCars.com seems to be a fairly recent invention with an agressive sales push. I'd either go to Hertz or Avis direct or with a proven broker like Autoeurope (www.autoeuropecar.rentals) which should not be confused with Autoeuropa (ending in 'a') the Italian rental car provider.

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