car rental – declining CDW

I understand what you are trying to do and I play that game here in the USA with car rentals. However, in Europe, I always take the insurance. Not once, but twice I have been involved in fender benders (Ireland and France) and both times (because I had their CDW), they gave me keys to a new car no questions asked. While I have not personally experienced the opposite side of the coin, my understanding is that if you decline their CDW, you have to pay full price on the spot for damage repairs and then sort it out (reimbursements) when you get back home with your personal insurance. For piece of mind I suggest get the CDW over there to be safe.

Read your credit card wordings. Mine says that if CDW cannot be declined, the credit card will still cover any deductible that I may be required to pay.

Does your home auto insurance have rental car coverage? If so, some credit card wordings say that the cc coverage is secondary to that home auto primary coverage. People get so stressed over rental car insurance and end up paying for double, triple or even quadruple coverage for peace of mind. If drivers get a punctured tire with their car at home, most will just pay to patch the tire or bite bullet for a new one. But when they go on vacation, they will spend an extra $10 a day (over and above the CDW) for tire coverage.

I can't speak for mainland Portugal, but I recently rented a car on Sao Miguel from Autatlantis. They are very easy to find at the airport, and were economical and friendly. With all insurance, I paid in the vicinity of €450 for 6 days of automatic rental. The cost was split between 4 people. I would definitely make sure you are fully covered on the insurance. Roads are narrow and hilly, and it was normal to go around the bend to see a car parked in the middle of the road. Many intersections have mirrors to assist with oncoming traffic. I definitely encourage using them. In addition, please study up on road signs if not familiar, as there are many one way and also no parking streets.

CDW is required to be included by law on hire cars in Portugal. You won’t be able to get it removed.

I take out separate insurance just to cover the excess (deductible) which is cheaper than hire companies offer.

https://www.autoeurope.com/travel-guides/portugal/portugal-car-rental-insurance/

All,
If the link above works and takes you to AutoEurope, you will read that CDW is NOT required. Some people opt for it rather than rely on their CC's coverage. My CC (Chase Saphire) is clear that if I choose the rental car's insurance, it voids any provided by Chase.

Everyone makes the choice that suites them

Dennis
PS: Rick has an opinion on this subject:
https://www.ricksteves.com/travel-tips/transportation/car-rental-cdw

Sorry, I wasn't trying to suggest that you needed to take all of the insurance from the rental company; only that you are fully covered by some means, be it a credit card, third party or the rental company itself. Both of the cars I rented in the Azores had numerous dents and dings, and by being 100% covered, I didn't have to worry about being charged for an existing condition. I did make sure to take multiple photos of each of the cars prior to leaving the lots, and also verified the damage noted by rental car personnel.

Hello from Wisconsin,
I don't recall ever buying CDW insurance from a auto company with one exception. I bought a package deal of airfare and car rental. It came with CDW.

I did have to use my credit card insurance once. A small side window got smashed years ago in the Czech Republic. I actually went to an Opel dealership and had the window replaced. Returned home and sent a letter to the CC with copies of the bill and my explanation of what happened. They sent me a check for the costs and that was the end of the exchange.

I strongly recommend a careful and full examination of your rental car. If there is preexisting damage it should already be noted on your rental agreement. If not, go back to the rental window and and have them add it or provide a different car. Also take photographs of the car. Front, rear, sides, wheel coverings. Your photos will have a date stamp. If when you return the car and there is no one to inspect the car (almost always), take photos again. Keep the gas fill up receipt and a photo showing the mileage/full tank.

Doing this takes effort and control. You are so hyped up about getting in the car and starting your trip that the five minutes to make sure the car is good to go takes some control. Same when you turn it back in.

I sound like your mother. Also adjust the mirrors, the seat, find the light switch, flashers, emergency brake, etc. before taking off.

wayne iNWI

I think Rick Steves covers this question. I checked my credit card company (Visa) and they cover auto insurance abroad. I will be getting a letter of confirmation from them before traveling. If you pay for the insurance through the rental company, the card will pay nothing.

Liability insurance is mandatory, not CDW. Liability insurance is what comes with the car rental.

CDW does come with car rentals in Europe. It is not itemised separately so I do not know how easy it would be to have it removed.