CDW on Visa vs. CDW at Car Rental

I don't have the answer to this, but am interested in what you find out. I called Citibank for the same reason, & was assured we were covered as long as we refused the CDW from the rental agcy, despite the fact we're renting in Italy. When I looked at their website fine print, however, it says that coverage 'may' not apply in Italy (which is what I'd read). When I called Budget, I was told I could not refuse the CDW. Period. Thus, MC wouldn't pay, even if it did cover Italy. Don't know about Autoeurope or other cos.

I rented from AutoEurope in France and declined the CDW because my credit card provided coverage.

I haven't rented a car in Italy, but I've read on the AutoEurope site that CDW is REQUIRED by law in Italy and a person must accept it.

I suggest that you call AutoEurope and ask what is or is not required in the country or countries in which you will be renting cars.

I had the same concerns Re: CDW, and called my credit card company for information... after being transferred around I finally connected with a knowledgable and helpful person who even gave me a toll free number to use in case of accident. My card is an REI Visa. I will decline the CDW when I pick up the car, from Avis, and plan to ask a German friend about the forms so that I will be sure to initial in the proper place to signify that I've declined coverage. I was warned that if I don't decline then the Visa coverage wont apply. Also FYI I have arranged my rental through gemut.com, paying in Dollars.

For me, the choice depends on my destination. In most of Europe, my VISA card provides the coverage. But it does not cover Ireland or Portugal. No sense buying coverage if you already have it.

Has anyone who used their credit card for insurance (rather than purchase CDW)had an accident or damaged the rental car in Europe? If so, what was your experience? I am assuming you had to pay for the damages up front, and then be credited by your credit car company? What kind of documentation of the accident did you need?

Budget rent a car-Prague-thru Auto Europe claimed scratches on the car we turned in were new. We think they were there before rented the car. Lesson learned to take photos of car at time of rental. Never the less, We notified American Express and filed a claim. The took care of everything. I did not have to pay anything. I suppose they paid for the damages claimed by the rental car.

One good piece of advice gleaned off these boards was to determine coverage by calling your credit card company and ask them who provides the coverage, get a number, and talk to them. You'll get better answers. I can confirm that many cards do not cover Ireland and Italy, and if you use a card for coverage, have another you can use. They do have the option to either charge your card, or at least put a hold or claim for the amount on your card for the damage, which still affects your credit limit.

Have only third hand experience. Don't know if the search engine could find it but there was a series of postings early last year from a women who was nightmare over an accident, VISA, and, I think, it was a German car rental. If you could find it, it would be beneficial.

My son who lives in Chicago, does not own a car and, therefore, does not have regular car insurance relies on his credit card for the additional coverage. His car was damaged ($400) while parked on the street and VISA refused to cover it citing a technical problem in how the rental agreement had been filled out. Enterprise thought that VISA was being unusually picky on his case but somewhat typical. VISA absolute refused to budge through a couple of appeals. Enterprise finally split the bill with him and he cancelled his VISA card. I think you need to have VERY CLEAR understanding of all the terms and how forms to be filled out.

I will never again trust credit card insurance for rental cars. I had a Mastercard which supposedly covered car rental if, as an above poster stated, you declined the CDW at the rental counter. Before my trip I verified that they did, indeed, cover Ireland (they no longer do). While on my trip I smacked the passenger side mirror and broke it. They filled out an accident report when I turned the car in. Because it was an electronically controlled mirror the damage came to over $400.

A charge for the damage was made to my card, and Mastercard refused to pay because, they said, my credit limit was too low to qualify for the insurance. This was my LIMIT, not my available balance, and I had verified my coverage with them before I left, as well as making sure I knew the rules. They knew my credit limit before my trip! The rental car company even went to bat for me with Mastercard, to no avail. So if you want to trust that you're covered, go right ahead. I won't do it again.

To make matters worse, I guess you all know there is CDW and then there is Super CDW. Now the CDW has a high deductible for which you are responsible. If you want the car company to cover anything that happens to the car you must get Super CDW. Just one example of how they get more money out of you.

Eli.. That's what we do. We think it is worth it to have a car. We rent a Prius which is high, but they are great on gas.Last year we drove all over France and did not have to fill up very much. Hertz uses Prius and they upgraded us from the car we rented. Although there are several things one has to get used to on the Prius, it was great.

Just a quick thought as you consider your insurance coverage. Since all travelerss will be paying a small fortune to go, a little less to think about is a comfort. Several trips ago, we rented from EuropeCar, no problem in that regard. However, when we chatted with them and then the CC company, we found out that certain things are not covered by the credit card car insurance coverage. I think it is personal liability. Please check this out. Ask both the CC company and the car rental what is NOT covered.
We now bite the bullet and get the insurance thru AutoEurope. We want to have fun and lot worry an accident and personal liability.