Has anyone ever declined the CDW in Europe and then wrecked a car?

If you're covered by Mastercard for the CDW, you don't have any issues and will be covered. Rent through AutoEurope or Kemwel, and if you have a wreck or even a small issue (I've had many in 120 or so rentals), they'll take care of it for you. Be aware that CDW and theft insurance are mandatory in certain countries, not in others.

I always decline the CDW (with Amex coverage), and fortunately have never wrecked the car.

However, w.r.t the above, I rented through Autoeurope (with Europcar) this past summer, and had an issue that thus far Autoeurope has been no help with. Not a big issue either so I am surprised. I thought they would provide better post rental service.

Yes.
I reported it to the CC by phone. Upon return home, I filled out the awaiting forms. A week later VISA sent a check in full payment of the repairs. Simultaneously the repairs showed up on the CC bill. I paid the bill, cashed the check. Because of that (CC paying me so I could pay them), I have 6,000 more travelmiles than I otherwise would. Far more seamless and easy than I thought it would be.

I always decline and depend on my cc (except in Ireland). My last rental we rented two cars for our group, and my co-driver (the other car) destroyed the car's transmission and had to get the car replaced. No problems whatsoever

I think Italy is another country where CDW is mandatory.

also, check the terms and conditions for the credit card you use.

We had one credit card that wouldn't cover Italy, but would cover Ireland. Another cc that would cover Italy, but wouldn't cover Ireland. I was extremely hesitant about the whole thing, so I called about 3-4 times to check.

I have paid the deductible twice in about 30 years of renting. Last time was about 3 years ago for 600€. (Another car raked mine all along the left side.) Considering the number of times I have rented without taking the CDW, I consider that I am getting off quite lightly financially.

Hi Alex,

I didn't wreck the car, but there was an accident - not my fault.

I was insured through my credit card - amex.

They handled the whole thing for me.

Nolo problemo.

There are variations to what it means to be "no problem." While the other posters reported hasslefree outcomes, it could also mean eventually get paid after months of sending one documentation after another. Also be prepared to have your credit limit wiped out, at least temporarily, if the rental company decides to immediately put a credit hold to cover the cost of damage. Carry another CC not related to the rental.

Here is another view on this subject:
http://www.ricksteves.com/plan/tips/carrental_cdw.htm

thanks for that link, Greg.

>...be prepared to have your credit limit wiped out, at least temporarily, if the rental company decides to immediately put a credit hold to cover the cost of damage.....<

Not with Amex.

The deductible is not an incredible about (500 or 600€ in my case). It's not as though you were buying the entire car.

about = amount

Couple of questions. I am looking to use my AMEX card (Travelocity AMEX, so managed by Barclays, not AMEX itself). Looks like there is coverage up to $50k, but I haven't been able to get answers on some questions about the coverage. 1) Can you use AutoEurope or Kemwel, paying that middle man for the voucher and the balance to the provider (Europcar) and still be covered? 2) If you are in a collision, I see that YOUR rental car is covered, but what about the OTHER car or medical expenses to the other person? Is there any sort of coverage for that? Thanks!

Third party cover (liability imsurance) for both property and person is always included in the most basic rental quote in Europe, often for unlimited amount, so don't worry.

Make certain your credit card coverage INCLUDES so-called "loss of use" which some car rental agencies will tack on to any major damage to cover the repair period.

I hope NeoPatrick will find this thread so he can tell his story about the wrecked car in Wales. In case he doesn't I will tell you it all turned out OK, eventually.

We scrunched a rear fender in a parking garage in Provence in '05. Cost us about $300 because I forgot and gave them the wrong card when we picked it up at the airport, so it WASN'T covered by cc. But considering we've rented often and never had a similar issue (and we'd had the car for over a month) we figured it was just water under the bridge.

Thanks. So Alec, you're saying that you need to either buy the CDW through the rental company or have it covered on your credit card (or a third party) for your own car, but that liability for the other car's damages are ALWAYS included in rentals in Europe? Didn't realize that. And Dukey1, good head's up. I wasn't looking for that, but realize now that some of the policies do, some don't. Appreciate it.

The issue is less likely to be wrecking the car than having some minor damage. Apparently some CDW coverage by credit card has a deductible, which means that the repairs would be out of pocket. The OP needs to check if the coverage is with or without a deductible.

I am currently looking into rentals in Poland and it appears that rentals include the CDW with a 300€ + deductible. That represents a potential doubling of the rental cost if I damage the car.

I'll just mention briefly another option for coverage - travel insurance. A few years back, we took my MIL, who had a terminal illness (and is now deceased), on a trip she had always wanted to make. Primarily because of her condition we took out a basic travel insurance policy in case we had to cancel on short notice.

I managed to put a small but very expensive scratch on the bumper of the rental car. We were about to go through the CC recovery route when my wife remembered that the travel insurance included rental car coverage. Long story short, we made a phone call, sent copies of the paperwork, and had a check for the full amount in about 10 days. And yes, Avis did charge me for two days of "lost use" and that was covered 100% as well.

Before declining the CDW check on the details of the insurance provided by your credit card. Oten there is a deductible of $500 or $1000 - which you would have to pay before the CC coverage kicks in - if you have an accident.