We're leaving in a little over a week and I'm panicing. I did a little reseach regarding the car insurance/CDW. We don't have an actual credit card. We do have a Visa/Debit card. I have purchased the car rental in advance through Kemwel (it's paid in full-i have a voucher), but now I'm worried about the insurance and the card. Here are my questions. I have e-mailed Kemwel and Europcar several times and can't get a straight answer. So frustrating. 1. It seems to me my best option is to purchase the CDW through Travel Guard at $9/day. Kemwel states that MOST agencies accept, but not all. Europcar won't confirm. Anyone have experience if they do or not? 2. IF they do accept Travel Guard with they let me rent the car using my Visa/Debit card? 3. If they do not accept Travel Guard and I end up buying the CDW from Europcar will I be able to use my Visa/Debit card? I hope someone has some experience in this area. I always plan super far in advance, but since we've never had an issue using our Visa/Debit for cars here in the US it never occurred to me, until now. Please help!
Posted by
Chicago
2876 posts
According to Travelguard's website, the only European country that does not accept their coverage is Ireland. Even if a car rental company accepts debit cards, it's usually not a good idea to rent a car this way, because the rental company is likely to put a "hold" on your card for a significant deposit amount. You would then not have access to your funds that are on "hold." But since you've already paid for your rental, this really isn't an issue for you. I suspect - but don't know for a fact - that your debit card would be accepted for purchase of CDW (if you opted to buy it from the car rental company) because - unlike the cost of a rental - the cost of CDW is a fixed amount. Hope this helps you a little.
Posted by
OP
San Diego, CA, United States
203 posts
Thanks for the info. They finally did confirm that they will accept Travel Guard, however here is also what they said: "We are sorry but UK doesn't accept debit cards." Although I don't have a real problem with them "holding funds" (what choice do I have) - does this mean that even though I pre-paid and they will accept Travel Guard they will not rent the car to me with a Visa/Debit? I want to be triple sure before I go cancelling my car and making train res at the last minutes. Thanks for any info!
Posted by
Pensacola
9110 posts
Your quote says they won't accept debit cards. To me, it means that they won't accept debit cards - - no deal, no car. Part of the problem might be that you're dealing with a consolidator so there's a middleman. Kemel might not even know, at least at this point, which agency they'll assign your contract to. Back up. Deal directly with a major agency. There's going to be hoops you have to jump trhough without a credit card. Find out what they are from the source and see if you can deal with it.
Posted by
OP
San Diego, CA, United States
203 posts
Kemwel directed me to Eurpocar. That's the direct rental agency right? They're the ones that said "no debit card". That's what it means to me too, but they have been so vague in their answers, so I just want to be sure. My husband suggested that I ask if they will take a cash deposit instead. I'll try that as a last ditch effort.
Posted by
Pensacola
9110 posts
Europcar is French. See what an American company, that you can get on the phone at no charge, will do. All the prices are competitive, don't get hung up on one outfit.
Posted by
Chicago
2876 posts
April - if I understand your original post correctly, you've already rented the car. You paid Kemwel; Kemwel paid Europcar. It's not like you're going to walk up to the Europcar counter to initiate a new rental. Your rental is already paid for. Clearly if you WERE initiating the rental at the counter, they wouldn't accept your debit card. But this is not your situation. Maybe I'm missing something?
Posted by
OP
San Diego, CA, United States
203 posts
I really just started out trying to cover all my bases. I didn't want to show up and then have them tell me they wouldn't give me the car with a Visa/Debit card. However, I just received this e-mail from a Europcar reservation agent in the UK: "If this is for a booking in the UK, debit cards are accepted as long as it is either Visa or Mastercard." SO - I'm going to print that e-mail and bring it with me in case they give me a hassle. So here is the breakdown: #1) I'm going to purchase CDW through Travel Guard at $9/day. #2) My reservation IS pre-paid (I have a voucher) through Kemwel. #3) I'm guessing the credit card was just to guarantee the rental (much like providing a credit card checking into a hotel). So I'm going to give them my Visa/Debit and hope all goes well. Am I missing anything? I was thinking of just not worrying about Theft Insurance.
Posted by
Lake Forest, CA, USA
1633 posts
April, you are right. The credit card is swiped when you rent the car in order to guarantee the return of the car or to pay for any tickets that the agency may receive on the car in the future. Even if you have already paid for the rental, they will want to swipe the card for a guarantee. Since you are using Travel Guard for your insurance, which by the way is the best way to go, make sure you check off the box on the rental agreement (at the rental agency when you pick up the car) that you are denying their CDW insurance. Otherwise, the Travel Guard insurance is ineffective. Sounds like you're renting and driving in the UK. Are you getting an automatic? If not, please realize you will be shifting with the left hand. Have fun on your trip.