Travel Insurance Direct - Rental Cars

[LuisT]

Hi All,

Just wondering if anyone's used TID for a rental car claim, and how things went?

I've always relied on CC before, but now have changed the WBC Black card and don't like the terms so was wondering if I'm safe relying on TID?

Thanks,

Lusi

 

[Bofter]

Had to claim for windscreen damage a few years ago, no great dramas. IIRC they wanted at one point to charge the $100 excess even though no excess applied to that section, but they reversed that off pretty quickly.

 

[AdMEL]

Hi All,

Just wondering if anyone's used TID for a rental car claim, and how things went?

I've always relied on CC before, but now have changed the WBC Black card and don't like the terms so was wondering if I'm safe relying on TID?

Thanks,

Lusi

I haven't TID for a rental car excess claim, or at all - I rely on primarily Westpac Black for both travel insurance and rental car excess cover.

Why do you say they've changed the terms of Westpac Black and you don't like them?

As far as I am aware, there have been no changes for Black compared with the previous Platinum Plus (previously Platinum), let alone any negative changes. In fact, compared with Platinum (previously Gold), the changes are positive!

Further, as far as I am aware, Westpac's rental car excess cover is one of the most generous, compared with others, given:

- $5,500 excess cover (one of the highest);
- no limit on value of car (Amex limits cover to vehicles with retail price less than $70k);
- no vehicle type exception (many limit to only sedans and wagons);
- no min. distance from home (Amex requires min 250km from home);
- no exclusion of cover for unsealed roads as long as rental company allows (many exclude this).

In short, as long as rent a car from a licensed agency and don't breach the terms, you are covered!

And I say that having recently claimed on Black for rental car excess cover - claim was paid without too much fuss! I've posted a whole thread on my experience if you care to look it up.

 

[LuisT]

I haven't TID for a rental car excess claim, or at all - I rely on primarily Westpac Black for both travel insurance and rental car excess cover.

Why do you say they've changed the terms of Westpac Black and you don't like them?

As far as I am aware, there have been no changes for Black compared with the previous Platinum Plus (previously Platinum), let alone any negative changes. In fact, compared with Platinum (previously Gold), the changes are positive!

Further, as far as I am aware, Westpac's rental car excess cover is one of the most generous, compared with others, given:

- $5,500 excess cover (one of the highest);
- no limit on value of car (Amex limits cover to vehicles with retail price less than $70k);
- no vehicle type exception (many limit to only sedans and wagons);
- no min. distance from home (Amex requires min 250km from home);
- no exclusion of cover for unsealed roads as long as rental company allows (many exclude this).

In short, as long as rent a car from a licensed agency and don't breach the terms, you are covered!

And I say that having recently claimed on Black for rental car excess cover - claim was paid without too much fuss! I've posted a whole thread on my experience if you care to look it up.

Thanks for the info. Maybe the Black coverage will be enough for me. This is the term I didn't like:

the hiring agreement must incorporate the standard
comprehensive motor insurance normally provided by
the rental agency covering loss or damage to the rental
vehicle; and

I assumed that meant that the rental must take the optional insurance, but maybe I'm wrong...

 

[AdMEL]

Thanks for the info. Maybe the Black coverage will be enough for me. This is the term I didn't like:



I assumed that meant that the rental must take the optional insurance, but maybe I'm wrong...

No offence intended, but you are wrong! I never pay the extra and did not do so when I claimed recently. The whole purpose of it is so you don't have to.

Agree that the wording could be a little clearer, but I'm still not sure why you think it has changed! Again, as far as I am aware, this clause has always been there, even well before Black. As I said, Black has not changed the insurance from Plat Plus - in fact, when I received my Black card, all I received was a one page amendment saying the existing insurance cover definition was amended to include Black in addition to Platinum Plus.

The policy is written from an Australian perspective where all rental cars come with comprehensive insurance, with a high excess.

Have a look at some of the other threads about car rental overseas for further info.

 

[Simsy85]

I think you'll find that means the standard one ie the basic one with the $3500 excess etc

Optional ones are added extra's and I wouldn't consider that standard.

Now for the intereting bit, what did you do to the car!

 

[AdMEL]

I think you'll find that means the standard one ie the basic one with the $3500 excess etc

Optional ones are added extra's and I wouldn't consider that standard.

Now for the intereting bit, what did you do to the car!

I assume the first part of your comment is replying to the OP and the last sentence is replying to me!

I managed to reverse an Avis Falcon XR6 into a pole in Tassie! Have a look at my thread on it. Can't link on iPhone.

 

[lovestotravel]

Thanks for the info. Maybe the Black coverage will be enough for me. This is the term I didn't like:



I assumed that meant that the rental must take the optional insurance, but maybe I'm wrong...

That term scared me as well with the Westpac SQ Insurance, but AdMEL is totally correct in that you don't need to take any other extra paid insurances through the rental car company.

 

[serfty]

...


I assumed that meant that the rental must take the optional insurance, but maybe I'm wrong...

Generally with mainstream rental companies there is no "optional insurance" when hiring a vehicle.

With these, insurance is already included in the rate, generally with a very high 'excess'.

The 'optional' comes in where a renter has the choice to reduce this excess with payment to the Hirer of an additional "excess reduction" fee.

That's why it's referred to in the .pds's as 'excess cover'. With this you would not need to pay that additional fee.

 

[LuisT]

Thanks all.

Makes more sense now.

AdMel - sorry first post wasn't clear - don't think the Black card policy changed, I changed to the Black card from the Amex Plat Charge card.

 

[AdMEL]

Thanks all.

Makes more sense now.

AdMel - sorry first post wasn't clear - don't think the Black card policy changed, I changed to the Black card from the Amex Plat Charge card.

No worries, makes more sense now!

As I eluded to above, Amex Pkat Charge Card can be quite restrictive for renting in Australia, probably because their insurance policy is written by an American company with the American system in mind, whereas Westpac Black insurance is written by an Australian company with the Aistralian system in mind.

Given this, Black is good for Australia (and NZ, UK, Europe), but virtually useless in the US, whereas Amex is more useful in the US!

 

[LuisT]

Given this, Black is good for Australia (and NZ, UK, Europe), but virtually useless in the US, whereas Amex is more useful in the US!

Thanks AdMEL. So what do you do for the US when you're over there?

 

[AdMEL]

Thanks AdMEL. So what do you do for the US when you're over there?

I've rented cars from Hertz and Avis, which both gives Aussies packaged rates which include all of the insurances, usually at pretty good rates. Many on AFF use third party aggregators such as net flights or even Avis UK, all of which provide rates that include all insurances required. Have a look at some of the threads on the subject for further info.

 

[LuisT]

I've rented cars from Hertz and Avis, which both gives Aussies packaged rates which include all of the insurances, usually at pretty good rates. Many on AFF use third party aggregators such as net flights or even Avis UK, all of which provide rates that include all insurances required. Have a look at some of the threads on the subject for further info.

Thanks, I'll take a look...

 

[TheRealTMA]

All rentals include comprehensive insurance, but by default have an excess which is typically $500 - $5000 depending on car. The Black insurance is essentially the same as any normal travel insurance. I stick with the Black, except in Italy when a ding is guaranteed so you have to weigh up the Black $200 excess per claim over the cost of taking out excess cover through the hire company of excess cover through company such as DriveAway.

 

[serfty]

All rentals include comprehensive insurance, but by default have an excess which is typically $500 - $5000 depending on car. ...

I take it you have not rented from a "major" in the USA ...

 

[TheRealTMA]

Actually, yes, several times and they normally include full insurance. But I was talking about UK or Europe where we've been renting vehicles for some 20 years.

 

[serfty]

Actually, yes, several times and they normally include full insurance. But I was talking about UK or Europe where we've been renting vehicles for some 20 years.

The USA is different. It is safe to state the "typically $500 - $5000 depending on car" is not generally applicable to USA car rentals.

You either have insurance pre-arranged, pay for it on collection or you are fully liable in the event of a mishap.

More here: http://www.australianfrequentflyer....d-limos/car-hire-and-insurance-usa-40844.html


http://www.australianfrequentflyer....axis-and-limos/car-hire-out-of-lax-44328.html

 

[PLANT]

Any chance some using TID on a rental car accident can post the outcome?