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New Zealand car rental rates - approx $43/day all inclusive - good rate?

New Zealand car rental rates - approx $43/day all inclusive - good rate?

Old Jan 3rd, 2007, 01:50 PM
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New Zealand car rental rates - approx $43/day all inclusive - good rate?

I've had a quote from Pegasus car rental - $39-$43/NZ$ day for a Corolla or similar - sounds good to me?

Also - I'm going to call my Visa CC - but has anyone had experience using their Visa instead of the collision damage coverage? I know I'm covered in NA but hope it's the case in NZ as well.

Thanks

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Old Jan 3rd, 2007, 02:48 PM
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Hi Elizabeth -

It's been my experience that US credit cards DO NOT provide insurance coverage in NZ and OZ. Generally the coverage only kicks in if you can decline ALL other insurance, and it seems there's always some insurance built into NZ and OZ rentals that you can't decline.

Insurance is generally included in the rates and subject to an excess (deductible), which can be rather steep. You can purchase optional CDW which lowers this excess and sometimes offers extra coverage for things like windshield and tire damage.

When looking for car rentals in NZ and OZ, I pay as much attention to the excess as the daily rental rate, and usually the company with the lowest excess wins. I then rent without purchasing the optional CDW, knowing that in case of a mishap, I'll be responsible for the excess.

Suggest you read the fine print of your credit card and the rental contract carefully.
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Old Jan 3rd, 2007, 03:50 PM
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Hello Elizabeth_S:

Your rate of $NZ 39 - 43 per day sounds good to me.

I will be making my fourth trip in a couple of weeks and I have always rented a used car.

Two reasons.

First, I did not want to stand out as a tourist so a used car suited me best. Since that first trip, I find the the Kiwis are great people and I no longer worry about my car looking like a tourist's.

Second, I wanted a car with a few scratches on it so the one's I add will have company.

I will be renting for 63 days. To reduce my excess insurance at $ 10.00 per day it would cost me $ 630.00.

I opted to not take that coverage so my real risk is not really $ 1000, but 1000 - 630 or 370 difference.

As a tourist, I do not drive in the heaviest traffic but mostly in the countryside so my risk is even less, at least in my mind.

Hope this is of some help.

Woodie.
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Old Jan 3rd, 2007, 04:39 PM
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Thanks for the comments - I will be contacting my CC company to figure out the CDW implications for NZ and OZ.

Woodie - I *think* those rates are for a used car (or one with higher mileage anyway).....still a good deal?
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Old Jan 3rd, 2007, 05:17 PM
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Melng8 - I've been reading some of your other posts and want to thank you for the great information - I just confirmed with my CC that the coverage extends to NZ and OZ but need to clarify whether or not I can decline all other coverage with the rental company in NZ (as they require, as you so rightly pointed out).......probably not, given your comments!

Happy New Year!
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Old Jan 3rd, 2007, 07:20 PM
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Happy New Year to you as well Elizabeth.

I didn't note what we paid for our rental car in 2005, but we paid NZ$67 per day back in 2003 with a $2,812 excess for a Camry, so your rate looks really good in comparison. The price included unlimited mileage, 24 hour breakdown coverage, all taxes and airport surcharges, theft insurance and standard insurance which included collision and third party liability. In other words - all inclusive.

For an additional $16.87 a day, we could have lowered the excess to $562, but that would have been $472 on a 28 day rental, so like woodie, we gave it a pass.

I have since learned to shop around for a lower excess and will consider a higher mileage car next time.

Have a great trip.
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Old Jan 4th, 2007, 07:45 AM
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Most Platinum Visa cards provide good supplemental coverage in NZ. I declined the excess coverage. Most car companies that I checked with seem not to charge for things like rock chips in paint and small scratches, which are considered normal wear and tear. You might want to ask if Pegasus does the same.

At that rate, you will probably be getting a 5-door car with a small area between the back seat and the rear hatch, not a proper trunk with a cover. EG, I recently rented with National/Europcar at $41NZ/day with the car meant to be a Toyota, and it was a Mitsubishi Colt 5-door.
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Old Jan 4th, 2007, 12:38 PM
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Hello Elizabeth_S:

Woodie back again.

After I wrote you, I recalled my first NZ auto rental. I am used to driving on the right side of the road [Canada] so driving in New Zealand was a new experience.

When I wanted to use my signal light indicator, somehow the windshield wiper went on!

Once, the steering wheel became switched to the other side of the car as I got in.

In fairness to the kiwis, I put a large paper Candian flag in the front windshield and another in the back. Warning to all.

I drove on the Coromandel peninsula where the road is very windy and not much shoulder at the ocean side or from time to tome where the rocks were on the other side. At 100 km/hr. the locals just steamed along while I would pull over when I could to let the back log pass.

I heard no swearing and no one gave me special invitational finger singals. Maybe being old helped.

Don't sweat it.

Have a good one.

Woodie

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Old Jan 4th, 2007, 01:33 PM
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Well Woodie - when they see our Canadian flag they'll think you're back!

We're in Toronto - where are you?
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Old Jan 5th, 2007, 03:50 AM
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Good morning Elizabeth_S:

We are in Edmonton, at least until Jan 15. Then we are off to New Zealand again for 9 weeks.

In to Christchurch for a week, then south to Invercargill stopping in the Catlins for three days [two nights]. From Invercargill we will drive west and north through Arrowtown and area, Haast Pass, Greymouth and after a few days stop in Nelson. We have a cottage there for 5 weeks.

After Nelson we will go to Wellington. Want to see the Te Papa museum. From Wellington to Lake Taupo [5 days] and then on to Auckland. After four days in Auckland we will head for home.

We have arranged our auto rental from Apex [leaving my Canadian flag at home] who will switch cars for us at Picton/Wellington. In the past we took our car on the ferry, this time we will try a switch.

Have a great trip.

Woodie

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Old Jan 5th, 2007, 03:59 AM
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Woody - we'll be crossing at some point! We arrive in Napier on February 3 and spend 2 weeks in that area, then driving up to Bay of Islands area, then to Norfolk for 4 days. Then we fly to Christchurch and ..... and..... well that part is a little looser right now! Have booked into Kaikoura to go swimming with the dolphins and after that we have 7 nights so we will follow the weather I think. Milford Sound I hope!

Safe travels!
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Old Jan 5th, 2007, 05:51 AM
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Wooddy

make sure you check out the hidden valley near taupo. Absolutely gold!

You will love te papa.

When in Wellington can I recommend Mt Vic look out and dont forget to try NZ famous Fish and Chips shops!

Safe travels

Eek
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Old Jan 5th, 2007, 03:29 PM
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woodie -

I envy you such a nice long trip. Always refreshing to see someone not rushing about through NZ.

Mind if I ask the details of the cottage in Nelson?
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Old Jan 7th, 2007, 08:12 AM
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Greetings to Elizabeth_S:

We were in kaikoura on our first trip to New Zealand. At that time we toured both north and south island spending only a few days at each stop.

Kaikoura at that time was famous for whale watching, lobster and of course the friendly people.

We were very fortunate to get on a small cruise for whale watching and i always take a lot of pictures. Our boat was a three deck affair and on ouyr deck a young lady was our commentator. She told us that we need not glue our eyes to the camera but would tell us when we could get a good sho of the tail as the animal went down.

She was spot on 5 out of 6 times. She missed the 6th because a fellow tourist distracted her with a question.

I would highly recommend the whale watch if you are into such things.

I can not possibly think that you will have a poor visit where ever you go in NZ.

We loved New Zealand and have been back two more times and going for our fourth.

It is rare for us to return to the same spot year after year.

My wife grew up in Buenos Aires, speaks a number of languages so much of our travel has been to latin speaking countries.

Melnq8:

We are renting our cottage in Nelson from the Harris Family,
[email protected]
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Old Jan 7th, 2007, 08:38 AM
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Greetings to Elizabeth_S:

We were in Kaikoura on our first trip to New Zealand. At that time we toured both north and south islands spending only a few days at each stop.

Kaikoura at that time was famous for whale watching, lobster and of course the friendly people.

We were very fortunate to get on a small cruise for whale watching and I always take a lot of pictures. Our boat was a three deck affair and on our deck a young lady was our naturalist. She told us that we need not glue our eyes to the camera but would tell us when we could get a good shot of the tail as the animal went down.

She was spot on 5 out of 6 times. She missed the 6th because a fellow tourist distracted her with a question.

I would highly recommend the whale watch if you are into such things.

I can not possibly think that you will have a poor visit where ever you go in NZ.

We love New Zealand and have been back two more times and going for our fourth.

It is rare for us to return to the same spot year after year.

My wife grew up in Buenos Aires, speaks a number of languages so much of our travel has been to latin speaking countries.

Eekthecat:

Thank you for the tip on the Hidden Valley at Taupo. Our time in the area is two days at the south end of the lake at Turangi where we want to visit the National Park and three at Taupo.

I recall reading about the Hidden Valley but did not note it on my travel itinerary. I will now do that.

We like to take our time and travel in a relaxed way. At 75 and 70, we have the time to now stop and smell the roses. Well, in Canada during January to March not many roses to smell.

As long as we have our present reasonably good health we will take our pleasures slow and easy with enough time to really enjoy it.

I generally do the research, read a few travel books from the library and when I pick one that we like, I buy the current issue. Then I read through and mark the points of interest. With a map, I then construct a route for our travel.

I then write up an itinerary on my computer adding as I go along. Shortly before travel I print it and leave the travel book at home, taking only my itinerary.

When we then actually travel, I have the places of interest and depending on the situation we can visit these spots or move along. I would not like to have passed near by something of interest and not know it was there.

So thanks again for the suggestion of Hidden Valley.

Melnq8:

We are renting our cottage in Nelson from the Harris Family,

[email protected]

I found them on Google when I searched Nelson. The description suited our preference, that is, enough room to spread out and not live out of a suitcase, clean, comfortable and a quiet spot, the convenience of self service since we will be staying there for 5 weeks. I like to eat out but not all meals for every day. As a diabetic, my wife will not let that happen anyway. In any case, we like to visit over a leasurely breakfast.

Our previous travel to New Zealand has convinced me that for the most part the poeople are honest and dependable so I have a great faith in their honour and their word. Unusual for me since for the last 30 years of my working life I was a fraud investigator. Of course not everything is perfect so I could be in for a surprise but we are not buying the place, only visiting for 5 weeks.

Sorry that I can not give you an actual comment on the place, having never been there.

Woodie

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Old Jan 7th, 2007, 03:58 PM
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Woodie -

I took a peek at Harris Hill's site and the cottages look lovely. We prefer cottages, apartments and houses when we travel in NZ and OZ, so I'm always on the lookout for good ones.

In six visits to the SI, we've only had one dud cottage.

I'm sure you'll have a wonderful time. Five weeks in one spot - I can only imagine.

Sounds like you might have worked in insurance claims (so did I).
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Old Jan 8th, 2007, 06:38 AM
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Melinq8:

Yes, I worked mostly for the insurance industry. I also did some for lawyers, a few for manufacturers, some government and some individual persons.

My field was on/off road equipment and when there was a loss, the adjusters had to know the cause of failure and responsibility if that could be determined.

As you know, the insurtance pay outs are really trust money. That is, the money is derived from premiums which is held in trust to pay out claims as well as to cover their costs of operation.

When one pays their own money, they account only to themselves but when the money is someone elses, well, the payer should be as sure as possible that the pay out is correct. In the case of subrogation, the payer should try to recover that loss money as an obligation to the insured.

Over half of my work involved fire loss. The rest was mechanical breakdown either from vandalism, user abuse, manufacturing inadequacy or just plain normal wear and tear.

When some people suffer a loss, they could be tempted to have another party pay for it. Hense fraud investigation although I never called it fraud. That would scare a person from speaking to me or at the least induce 'flavouring' their report more than usual.

In the end, most times the remains told one story while the owner told another. The parts never lied.

I enjoyed the puzzel solving and even the same loss over and over had different twists to it.

I am now retired and enjoy hobby wood work and travel. I like to take my time stopping long enough to have a relaxing good look at the chosen place of visit. A cottage is the closest replacement to a home as I can get so that is my first choice.

What was your area of work in the insurance field? Underwriting? Claims? Agency?

Woodie
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Old Jan 8th, 2007, 01:52 PM
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Claims - homeowner's and personal injury.

Have a great trip (you too Elizabeth!)
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Old Jan 8th, 2007, 02:44 PM
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Thanks! On our way tomorrow!
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Old Jan 10th, 2007, 12:29 PM
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Hi,

I have made a 10 day reservation with Hertz at Christchurch using a discount code.

I got the Corolla for 54.04/day. Since this is Hertz (Corporate office too, not the franchisee) I assume the car should be a reasonably new car.

All the insurance items are quoted as optional as follows:

PERSONAL EFFECTS COVER: 35.00 NZD PER WEEK
ACCIDENT EXCESS REDUCTION: 154.00 NZD PER WEEK
PROTECTION PACKAGE: 210.00 NZD PER WEEK
PERSONAL ACCIDENT INSURANCE 35.00 NZD PER WEEK
PERSONAL EFFECTS COVER: 5.00 NZD PER DAY
ACCIDENT EXCESS REDUCTION: 22.00 NZD PER DAY
PROTECTION PACKAGE: 30.00 NZD PER DAY
PERSONAL ACCIDENT INSURANCE 5.00 NZD PER DAY

It looks to me it is 22/day for the CDW coverage. Though I have no idea what Personal Accident Insurance means.

BTW, I believe NZ offers accidental (body injury) insurance to everyone, including visitors. Need to check out if it covers car accidents.
We had a freak accident at a motel in Hamilton in 2003. Our room was accidentally broke into by a drunken Maori. During the confrontation my husband was pushed hard and fell, ended up dislocating his left shoulder. The emergency room treatment was 100% free. I only found out why after our return to U.S. to realize NZ is a no fault country for accidental injuries.



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