Reassure me - extra rental car insurance in the US

[rtyuiop]

Hi folks,

Just having a moment of doubt as I plan a roughly 3 week road trip in the US for next year. I think I know the answer here, but rental car insurance information seems to be intentionally confusing to ensure people pay as much as possible, so I'm hoping someone can confirm my thinking!

Having decent travel insurance (TID for instance) should render extra coverage from the rental car agency unnecessary, correct?

Thanks,

Danny

 

[Dr Ralph]

Extra coverage for personal effects you mean?

If so, this is the way I see it.

 

[rtyuiop]

Also that I'm covered for damage (or loss!) of the car itself.

 

[RooFlyer]

You would have to refer to the specific wording of your travel insurance, but most policies have a provision for covering or reducing a rental company's excess.

I'd encourage you to read the policy carefully, asking yourself - if 'this" happens, what does the policy ay about that?

 

[Pleb Status]

Unlike Australia, there is no LDW/CDW coverage at all unless clearly stated in the rental agreement (you are liable for all costs).

Travel insurance will generally cover a limited amount (say $3000 to $5000) and this will not be enough if you have a decent accident.

I have found if you use a well known car rental company and use their Australian website, the LDW/CDW will be included in the price.

 

[coriander]

Unless I'm mistaken most travel insurances typically only cover the rental car excess NOT the damage and there is rarely an excess in the US - you either pay everything or nothing.

If you rent your car through a website such as economycarrentals.com (I've used them many times), you'll find that their rate covers Collision Damage Waiver (CDW), Loss Damage Waiver (LDW) and Supplemental Liability Insurance (SLI). A Waiver is an agreement that the rental company waives its rights to go after you if you lose or damage the car. SLI covers the damage you do to the other car and its occupants.

 

[rtyuiop]

Got it - yes, I think there is a gap between the US complete lack of any insurance and what travel insurance will cover.

Damnit, that is going to be a pain - trying to do a one way rental from Missoula all the way down to vegas, and so far I haven't been able to find a booking option that'll let me book an SUV and includes any sort of insurance.

 

[Dr Ralph]

Got it - yes, I think there is a gap between the US complete lack of any insurance and what travel insurance will cover.

Damnit, that is going to be a pain - trying to do a one way rental from Missoula all the way down to vegas, and so far I haven't been able to find a booking option that'll let me book an SUV and includes any sort of insurance.

Have you tried:

Cheap Car Rentals, Best Prices Guaranteed! - Rentalcars.com

Cheap Car Rental, Best Prices for Rental Cars! - EconomyCarRentals.Com (as suggested above)

 

[rtyuiop]

Yeah, tried them both and several others besides - rentalcars.com wants $11/day for insurance (which makes it the leading contender so far) and economycarrentals shows no SUVs available between these points, and fairly high rates for the cars that are there.

 

[sausagefingers]

https://www.americacarrental.com/

I use these guys for US

 

[Dr Ralph]

https://www.americacarrental.com/

I use these guys for US

How often have you been upgraded using this site?

I know when I've booked in Australia directly via sites like Hertz I've been upgraded often multiple levels each time (except for when hiring in Hawaii).

 

[rtyuiop]

https://www.americacarrental.com/

I use these guys for US

Thanks - but no joy with them either, no car options returned at all.

 

[Dr Ralph]

Thanks - but no joy with them either, no car options returned at all.

If you can't get a rental for the entire trip, have you considered a part way drop off?

Just as an example - say I was travelling from New York to Las Vegas and couldn't get a car for the entire trip. I may be able to get two separate rentals: New York to Chicago and then Chicago to Las Vegas.

Perhaps there's a similar option on your extended trip?

 

[rtyuiop]

Enterprise will do a car (I have one booked with them direct as a fall back). Just trying to figure out a booking option that will include CDW or at least let me buy it at a reasonable price!

 

[vetrade]

Get some quotes from arguscarhire.com. They are UK based where they are legally required to include insurance in their quotes. Many other brokers / car hire companies treat CDW etc as add-on extras. I have used them to book rentals in many countries (including several times in the US and Canada) and often their overall cost is cheaper than renting directly from Hertz, Avis etc.

There's also a thread on AFF with extensive discussions about the info you're after.

 

[Glider_]

We used Alamo
https://www.alamo.com/en_US/car-rental/home.html

 

[rtyuiop]

No luck with either Argus or Alamo . Looks like Enterprise and National are the only companies who are interested in a one way rental from Missoula, I think that's why a lot of the normal booking engines come back with no options.

 

[andyhui01]

You won't have to worry. Enterprise will sell you all the insurance under the moon when you're there. Might sound like a sucker but worth it. My understanding is that their most basic insurance only has the minimum 3rd party liability @ ~$30k USD. If you hit and injure someone, hit an exotic car or write off someones car. That isn't going to come close to what is needed.

 

[trooper]

That's liability... the basic need is CDW/LDW.. and as already mentioned is best obtained through a consolidator that offers all-in rates....

Please do NOT mistake your travel insurance coverage of EXCESS for anything else. Without CDW/LDW you are liable for basically everything in a prang.

Yes... one ways make it harder!

 

[JohnM]

Having decent travel insurance (TID for instance) should render extra coverage from the rental car agency unnecessary, correct?

TID covers up to $4K for the excess and a higher level can be purchased as an extra. What about your CC insurance coverage for the excess?