To buy or not to buy auto insurance in Spain

I think your husband is right about the cost of the insurance. Last year, I had extensive conversations with Capitol One and the Visa department that deals with insurance when you use their card to rent. The upshot was that the person I spoke to convinced me I was covered. I don't have the number any longer, but I got it by talking to a Capitol One rep first. She referred me to Visa for further reassurance. Another, quite inexpensive alternative is the Amex rental car insurance, which costs around $25, and is good for 42 days. You do have to use an Amex card for the rental. It might be worth getting an Amex card, if you don't have one, just for that. I think they have some cards with no annual fee.
BTW, I think insurance is one of the murkier areas of modern life one must deal with; and car rental insurance, the murkiest.

I would look CAREFULLY at exactly what coverage my credit card gave and still likely get more ... safe then sorry is right and I have certainly read some very sorry posts from people who found out about scratches costing thousands, headlamp cracks that break the bank etc...
Frankly we have only rented a car once for a Paris-Switzerland trip , we had it for 22 days so were able to get a good rate as a lease not just rental. For most trips a car is not always the best option price wise, gas is pricey as is parking in cities.. point to point rail tickets are usually cheap and the stress is off, of course if you want to go off the beaten track and visit non touristy places or rural areas car is answer , otherwise I see no real advantage.. frankly I think its our North American car obsession that make some of us automatically assume we should rent a car.. instead of trains..

Thank you Pat and Rosalyn. Rosalyn, this time we ARE going off the beaten path! I've been all through Italy without a car, but this time we're going to Southern Spain, and really need a car this time.

Over the past twenty years we've done A LOT of off the track touring by car. Yes, CDW is very expensive and yes our VISA card or AmEx and AAA insurance gives us coverage. Here's the rub. You have a little fender bender, the car is out of commission for say two weeks. You MAY be charged a rental fee for the entire time the car is out of service. Also, SOME rental companies put a deposit hold against your credit card (sometimes several hundred Euros) which you may not be even be informed of if you don't take out CDW. If you have a good line of credit this probably doesn't matter. Additionally you can very well be out a lot of dollars up front waiting to have your insurance company/credit card company etc. to hash it all out. My frugal Engineer and Certified Financial Planner hubby always gets CDW. We have never had to use it but will always get it. This is a vacation so why stress and no it doesn't cost as much as renting the car. Think of it as paying for health insurance --- oh, maybe that's not a good analogy but you get the drift!

Donna don't know where in southern Spain you are going, but if doing the Costa Brava check out Tossa De Mar, small town, and incredible... google for photos. We took bus there from Barcelona( there is no train there) , took 1.5 hours but was scenic and cheap. Very small town, no fast food joints or Starbucks, but just a lovely lovely place.

We're staying with another couple this time and going a little over the top staying at a golf resort in Elviria! Need a car this time! Last time we stayed in a 4th floor walk up in Nerja! Lolol! So, we've got someone to split the expenses with. will tour around S. Spain by car (first time) and will probably buy the insurance. No walk up, elevator, great sea view, we'll have a great time!

Agree with Marie...we always take CDW.. have never found it to be that expensive ... worth it for the peace of mind.

If you have travel insurance for this trip you should check what coverage is there or could be added - it might be less than the rental company CDW.

Donna I have rented cars over the years for periods of 21 to 30 days at a time. All using my Capital One cc. Last year was the first time I had to file/report a claim using Capital's insurance coverage. Although my credit card was charged for the damage repairs by the car rental company while the car was repaired ($2300)I was given a full credit on my statement. Also, since it was a "pending transaction" I never had to put out the $2300. I might add the damage was not that extensive so I could continue to drive it for the balance of the trip.
We are also planning to drive around S. Spain this Summer. Hope we don't "bump" into each other. Have a great trip.

Thanks, Wayne. It's good to hear from someone who had an actual experience with an insurance claim on his Visa card. I admit that I have harbored a quiver of doubt, despite all the reassurances of the Visa rep (see below). Your posting makes me more secure that they mean what they say.

We get the insurance to max, including zero deductible. Yes, it raises the price dramatically, but if that's what it costs for the package I want, that's what it costs. I can't imagine trying to suss out a problem, or a violation with a policeman involving a rental car and a car company in a foreign language 3000 miles from home. I would hate to even try it here at home. It may be expensive peace of mind but it is well worth it to us.

@James, "Over 26% of Spaniards can't get a job." That's the overall rate of unemployment in Spain, but in the 16-24 year-old age group, the unemployment rate has now exceeded 55%. Hopefully that will improve in the near future.

Whatever you decide, DO take LOTS of photos, both before you drive it off the lot and when you return it (preferably with the rental agent in some of them!).

In Oct. 2012 I had a Hertz rent a car for two and a half weeks. I did not take the ins. as I was happy with the coverage through my credit card company. Hertz was very smooth. I did screw up the car. It was minor. Hit a curb and the tire went flat with a big sidewall gash - unrepairable. Guess what! new cars in the US and Europe do not have spares anymore. Hertz had a toll free phone # with an English speaker. Not to ramble. I was in a different car the next day. There were charges to me for under $100. Lazy me; I haven't gotten around to sending the bill the credit card co. I have been going to Europe and doing my own driving for about 30 years. I used to insure myself to the hilt. Now - nothing.