Proteus7

I'm planning to drive a rental in Portugal and don't like the excess insurance rates.
I'm thinking of getting third party insurance like UK based icarhireinsurance.com, since this is the only third party that covers Canadians and US citizens in Europe.
My problem is I can't find anyone who can comment on this company or even had any claims with them. It looks authentic but its hard to trust an internet company without any reviews on their service.
Their price is good less than half of what I'd pay for Excess at the counter. I noticed they have good reviews for ease of use in signing up and convenience. I find it hard to believe they don't have any claims history posted or verified by anybody. Credit card insurance is not an option here.

bilboburgler

We use these guys
http://www.insurance4carhire.com seem ok but have never had to claim.

annhig

Proteus - are you talking about insuring the excess?

We used AXA on our last trip and you're right, it was a lot cheaper than what is offered by the car hire company when you pick up the car.

Anyway, I used moneysupermarket.com to search, and pretending I was from the US, I got the same people as you did, however the link indicated that they are part of Halo insurance - have you searched for them?

https://www.icarhireinsurance.com/?u...5&broker=TSM#0

If you use your credit card to pay for the premium that should give you some level of security, plus the fact that it is effectively endorsed by money supermarket.com should help too.

Given the alternative, I think I would chance it.

Christina

Where are you a citizen? I don't know why you say that's the only company that will cover car rental insurance for US citizens abroad, I've bought it several times and I'm one. I just buy a travel insurance policy that has rental car coverage added on, it is pretty cheap when you do it that way. I think usually only $25 or so? something like that, it's cheap.

For example, I just checked www.insuremytrip.com and there are many plans that you can buy that include it, Allianz for example has one and it is even primary (not secondary coverage). It also is valid in Portugal if that is your implication, that US citizens can't get it for Portugal. I think they won't cover Ireland and a few other countries, like Israel, but they don't say Portugal is excluded. I checked that I was a US citizen.

Is there something you know about why they would sell policies like that on that website if you say it isn't valid?

RoamsAround

Do you have automobile insurance in the USA/Canada (sorry it's not clear from your post where you live)? If so, contact your insurance broker/agent and see if your insurance company offers a "Hired Car" rider (most companies do). The coverage usually doesn't cost very much. I have it on my US based auto policy and, with a few exceptions like in war zones, coverage is world wide.

ekscrunchy

I just booked a full sized automatic for 9 days in Portugal with no deductible and no added insurances. Price was about $500. We used Kemwell.

crellston

I use icarhireinsurance.com and find them to be very good. I rent cars regularly when i return to the UK and around the world. They are owned by Halo Insurance and underwritten by Allianz one of the worlds largest insurers. It costs me around £80 for an annual policy which covers me and other drivers registered to drive the car.

I have had a few questions and their customer support is pretty good (UK based). I have (thankfully) yet to use their claims services but friends have and reported a trouble free experience.