Great info on car rental and driving in Europe

I accidentally posted this in the wrong place -- don't know how to delete it ... but my apologies!

Hop on the dunking stool and hold your nose.

Hi Liz, Posting info on car rentals on the Transportation Forum seems right. We've rented through Gemut a number of times. Paul

For the reasons you mention, the smallest car that will accommodate your needs is best. However, we usually opt for the second category, often labeled "compact," I think. The lowest category, often labeled "economy," is so small that we don't feel safe. A gps is VERY helpful, but you should read up on the ins and outs of its use. Carry good maps, as well.

I have to respectfully (Ha-Ha-Ha) disagree with Gemut's statement, "since the credit card coverage is so much better". I've read my credit card company's "requirement", and, frankly, I do not feel comfortable using them as my primary coverage. They say that (1) I have to pay the damages up front, then (2) try to collect from them, which includes submitting to them any and all documentation that they might require. So I'm going to have to phone someone in a foreign land, someone who doesn't speak fluent English, and request documents required by my credit card company, documents that might not even exist in that country. I think someone posted recently about how her credit card company used a technicality, something like how much balance she had on her credit card, to deny her claim. Face it, credit card companies do not make money paying insurance claims. Others have written in on this site to say how they purchased complete CDW from the rental company and were able to walk away from an accident without any cost to themselves. The only "straight-up" comparison of public transportation with a rental car is complete CDW insurance coverage with the rental car. If you use public transportation, you have NO liability. So, multiple times I have requested a quote from Gemut with complete coverage, and they have only evaded the question, stating that I should use my credit card for coverage. They never answer my request for complete coverage? Why? Is it because they cannot be competitive when offing complete coverage? I have a solution. Ask Gemut if they will agree to be financially liable for any and all unreimbursed expenses you might incur by using your credit card as primary coverage. No, I didn't' think they would.

Lee, Respectfully meaning "ha-ha-ha"? Spoken like a person who never rented through Gemut, or rented a car at all. Why would you comment on a subject you have zero 1st hand experience with? Should I now give opinions on public transportation in Germany and Austria since I haven't used them? Paul

Re: rental car insurance from credit cards, that offered by American Express sounds pretty good: * $24.95 one time fee each time you rent a car, with coverage for continuous rental up to 42 days * $100,000 primary theft and damage coverage
* Make a claim without paying a deductible I had been planning to use this when renting in France (two different times) on our upcoming trip . . .

Hi Liz, We've used the AmEx "Premium Car Rental Protection Plan" for our last 3 trips. Make sure to call AmEx and enroll in the plan, which is free to enroll in. Pay for the rental, including any "road taxes" (which are minimal) which may be due upon pickup, with the same AmEx card. Very important to use your AmEx card for all rental charges. Paul

Hi again, This article was in our Sunday paper. May be of interest. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/george-hobica/everything-you-need-to-kn_b_3577103.html

I agree, great article! (And also recommending Amex!) Basically, if you have the Amex car rental policy, + personally have an umbrella liability policy - then you have full coverage on your European car rentals - at best possible rates! (If you don't already have it, an umbrella liability policy is very cheap to add to your homeowners' insurance, we have had one for over 15 years).