CTtraveler63

First, I am astounded by how challenging it's been to get a clear answer to my question.

It seems that if I rent in Germany and use a Chase Sapphire
Preferred or an AMEX Premium Extra card for my rental, I have good coverage as far as damage to my own rental car or injury or loss of limb or life (as well as for return of remains to the U.S.) for me or for passengers in MY car.

BUT, what if one is at fault and injures another person or vehicle---- someone at a crosswalk, say, or who's a driver or passenger in another car?

I have read that if a car has a license plate, it by law includes third party liability insurance, and at a huge number of Euros at that. Does this mean we could not be left "holding the bag" if we were at fault and caused damage to someone in another car/not a passenger in our car?

For many years we have been happily relying on our "preferred card" insurance when renting in Europe. Were we unwittingly subjecting ourselves to massive liability? Can we comfortably rely on the above-mentioned U.S.- issued charge cards?

Can ANYBODY supply a link that deals simply and clearly with this query?

THANK YOU SO MUCH!

janisj

All rentals come with liability insurance.

Christina

That's really a Mastercard. Those credit card auto insurances are not liability. Whenever I rent abroad, I buy liability from the car rental company, in fact, in some countries, I think by law you have to. It isn't usually that expensive. I use my card (or buy a travel policy) for the collision/damage part.

I don't know the law in Germany, I rent in France and pay the car rental company something extra for that. YOu have to, it isn't optional. I thought that was the case in Germany, also.

This is what Autoeurope says http://www.autoeurope.com/go/driving...ation/germany/

janisj

No -- you don't pay extra for liability insurance.

sofarsogood

you must have at least third party insurance to drive in the UK - driving without insurance is against the law. Its not so much the car is insured its the driver - as janis says the car hire firm will provide at least third party insurance

posting your remains back to the states, well that's another matter and dealt with probably by your credit cards.

CTtraveler63

Hmmm...Don't these two responses, for which I am grateful, contradict one another? We have rented in Austria, Germany, and France and have never been told to add anything other than what's included on the card.

What the first responder stated---that all rentals include liability---is what I read on the web today.

So....still perplexed. :- (

janisj

>>Hmmm...Don't these two responses, for which I am grateful, contradict one another?<<

sofarsogood and I agree -- you do not pay extra for liability insurance - it is included with the car. I have no idea what Christina meant.

travelhorizons

I believe your Chase Sapphire card includes primary insurance. Don't know whether it includes liability insurance, but you could call Chase to get the definitive word on that.

If it does not, your own car insurance and umbrella policy may provide backup liability coverage. Ask your insurance agent how you can protect yourself.

The best solution is to pick up the phone and call the companies whose products you buy — or the agents you use to purchase their products. Why rely on having us "guess" about the specifics of your credit card or auto insurance policies?

janisj

>>Don't know whether it includes liability insurance, <<

>>If it does not, your own car insurance and umbrella policy may provide backup liability coverage<<

Again . . . Rental cars in Europe come with <i>liability</i> insurance included in the rental amount. If your own car insurance covered you in Europe, that would be VERY unusual.

nytraveler

US car insurance covers only the US and Canada. None of the policies coers driving in europe unless you specifically buy some sort of rider.

The car comes with liability insurance for other cars, people in other cars and pedestrians. It does not have liability for you or collision for the car. You need to provide those - either via a credit card (check what your cards offer) or insurance you purchase from the car rental agency.

Some countries (Italy and I believe perhaps Ireland) require everyone renting a car to buy this insurance from rental agency. Most countries leave it up to you to use your CC insurance or buy from the rental agency.

All rental agencies will require you to buy collision (but there can be a deductible) - but liability for yourselves is up to you.

pja1

We have used AmEx "Premium Car Rental Protection" for our last 4 car rentals in Germany. The car already comes with liability. You do not pay extra for that. It comes with the rental car. The AmEx plan is for CDW and more.

tom_mn

Not on topic but in but response to above some US insurance (USAA) covers Mexico as well as Canada.