I have been comparing car rental prices. When I go to www.viamichelin.com, it seems to include the insurance with the price. When I go to the various car companies on their own specific websites, like Alamo or Budget etc... it adds the insurance separately and is significantly higher. Can you comment if you have knowledge or experience with this?
Posted by
Sacramento, California U.S.A.
10600 posts
Have you tried Auto Europe? They are a consolidator based in the U.S. and I've always found good prices with them. They have insurance options.
Posted by
Portland, Maine
2916 posts
I'd second AutoEurope, or Kemwel (same ownership, different partners). I also recently went to Europcar's web site and reserved from them directly, since getting an automatic through a broker, at least for one way, is now more difficult. They too separate insurance from no insurance.
Posted by
Gaston, Oregon, USA
931 posts
What Country? When I go to Via M, I can't see ANY specific insurane info about "what is or is not" covered. If I check on the "supplemental" insurance plan they offer the price matches the quote that I got from AutoEurope, but again, there is nothing specific telling what is or is not covered. I like AutoEurope. At least they send me a contract that spells out everything, and they let me cancel if I find a better price. I can't find any cancelation info about VM. I have received complete! insurance coverage by renting thru Autoeurope.EU, but I had to pay extra fees; drop off fee of $30, $100 "fill my tank up and drop it off empty fee".
Posted by
Lake Forest, CA, USA
1633 posts
I also use AutoEurope or Kemwel both of which arrange your rental through Europcar, Hertz, Avis, etc. I purchase my own auto insurance through Travel Guard which covers areas of the car that others do not; i.e., tires, undercarriage and loss of use. I believe Gemut, another auto broker, has info on auto rental insurance coverage on their website.
Posted by
Dallas
1022 posts
For whatever reason I've always had better luck with the major companies' websites than with a consolidator. For the insurance, check out American Express Premium insurance which is $29 per rental for first dollar coverage. I've saved a ton of money over the years by using credit card coverage instead of CDW from the rental companies.
Posted by
Huntsville, AL, USA
8319 posts
I found better rates last year at AutoEurope than at Hertz in Italy. And I could tell by the pickup addresses that we were actually getting a Hertz car. You've got to be careful in Europe as far as brands. Sometimes you can rent from a popular U.S. brand in Europe, and actually be renting from a franchisee that runs a terrible rental operation. That's why I stick with AutoEurope.com or Hertz, as they can be counted on. You can choose to exclude the CDW when you get there, but it's required in Italy (at reasonable regulated rates.) A Visa/Mastercard gold card's secondary physical damage and theft insurance is not good in some countries/regions.
Just know who you're renting from, and make sure their reputation is good.