Hi!
I need to rent a car in Spain this summer. I have only rented once before, in Ireland, but I stay confused on all the things I should add on. I think I risked it last year and had no add ons, but was a nervous wreck. I have USAA insurance in the states. What do you all usually add, protection wise, for a rental. Any help or guidance is appreciated! Thank you so much!
I doubt that your USAA insurance will cover you for any accident damage in Spain. Call them and confirm.
Our credit card does provide damage coverage, as long as that’s the card we use to pay for the rental. Do you have any cards that might? Call the number on the back of any cards to confirm that, too, as well as what foreign transaction fees (if any) that card would charge you for the rental.
In Norway in 2023, we got scratches on the car’s bumper, but were able to provide documentation to the credit card settlement department, and they reimbursed us 100% for the bodyshop costs that Hertz Norway claimed.
What did you do for Ireland? Coverage for collision damage, theft, plus windshield and/or tire damage? I know there are some rental companies (and consolidator companies like AutoEurope) that offer “zero deductible” (also known as “zero excess”) insurance for a (possibly hefty) fee, on top of the rental price. With that, you can essentially walk away from all damage and say, here’s your car, sorry, it got totaled, but I have full coverage, bye. If paying for that and not being a nervous wreck would let you enjoy your trip in peace, then that’s one option. But check with your credit cards first, and maybe USAA, too.
Another tip - lock the car whenever you park it, and take the keys! Don’t leave luggage (or anything, really) visible in the car when parked. Be discreet if you move luggage into the trunk, so that no one sees that your baggage was put in it before you left it.
I may be stupid, I have car insurance with my American Express card, but I gladly pay the extra for all the insurance when traveling abroad. I call it my happy tax and pay for the coverage that they push at the counter.
I’ve read enough on this discussion board of all the stuff that could happen that you don’t think of.
I have a USAA Preferred Advantage card which gives you the Zero Deductible Collision Damage Waiver and Theft Protection coverage the car rental agencies do not cover. In Spain car rentals always include Liability and Fire coverage. That means you will have full coverage without any cost if you use the USAA credit card to rent the vehicle. If you have this type of credit card, you then only need to contact USAA for a verification letter to present at the rental counter explaining that you will be fully covered in the event of an accident. Without the letter, the car rental agency can require you to buy their insurance at the counter when you go to pick up the car.
Also be sure to get a legally-required International Drivers Permit for the person(s) who will be driving the car. Those are available only at American Automobile Association offices for about $30.
Have a great trip!
I agree with Mo. I rent often in Spain (I have a SIXT rental car right now). I take no deductible and every coverage offered to me. I would rather pay a bit more to lessen the anxiety.
I also take roadside assistance, which SiXt offers.
I have my rental here for two weeks, so taking all the extras might add up to a few hundred euro more; for me (and only you can decide if this works for you) it's worth paying more to lessen the normal anxiety that I feel driving in Spain or any other country outside the US. I have been very happy renting directly with SIXT, (not renting with them through a broker.....there is a difference here....I prefer to rent directly with an agency and not through a broker such as AutoEurope....(I've rented through a broker for many years but no longer do that..)
It depends on your financial position as to which coverages to get. Some people are fine with their credit card coverage. However, if you use your CC CDW then you probably won’t be able to get zero deductible from the rental company if you wanted it. The rental company wants you to have its CDW.
If you don’t have a CC that provides CDW, one can get just CDW from the rental company.
We’ve been getting the zero deductible coverage simply for peace of mind. It does cost more, but if something happens you turn over the keys and you’re done. We never pay for a navigation system as Google maps works fine for us.
With any rental there are optional coverages. They vary by company so know (ask) what is and isn’t covered with Basic CDW and zero deductible. Some additional coverage might include road hazard that covers tire damage, roadside assistance, theft, windshield damage, and personal injury protection.
On our last few trips to Spain we’ve reserved the vehicle through Costco. It uses Enterprise in Spain and we’ve been happy with Enterprise.
Edited: liability insurance is compulsory and is included in the cost of the rental.
Very helpful response from JAIME, el Sabio!!
