I have been checking the rental car websites and various travel websites regarding renting cars in NZ. I am so confused by the car insurance. APEX says its rate includes insurance "$1,000 excess" and Orbitz offers a "Rental Car Protector" What do these terms mean? What is the best way to go? I notice some of the companies want a $1,900 deposit for potential damages. Your assistance is greatly appreciated.

I wish I could be more help, but all I can say is that "$1,000 excess" means that you bear the first $1,000 of any repair bill. The term "Rental Car Protector" may be Orbitz's own. If one of our resident Kiwis is reading this perhaps they can be more help (I'm Australian), or perhaps an American who's rented a car in NZ.

My advice would be to go to the horse's mouth, i.e. the rental companies, with these questions. If email is too messy, buy a phone calling card (cheap call rates) and phone them, if you have time. Either that or just go through it with the company representative when you pick up your car and make your decision then.

All NZ rental contracts include some insurance coverage in the rates. The excess is basically like the deductible in a medical insurance policy. Do you have a Visa Platinum card? If so call and ask about benefits. Your credit card may cover you for the excess in NZ, BUT NOTE that I believe you MUST use it to reserve (if a deposit is required) and to and pay for the rental. I think you'll find that $1000 is on the low end for "excess".

You may want to pay the small daily addon fee for windshield damage.

It also might be helpful to know that if you are in an accident you will be covered for physical injury by a no- fault ACC (Accident Compensation Corp. (This is only for accidents, not for other illnesses).

I have not yet used Orbitz for a car rental. It must be their own insurance package.

$1,000 is a reasonable excess in NZ. Most companies charge about $2,700 - $3,000 in my experience. As mlgb mentioned, your Visa may cover the excess (ours does) whereas Mastercard does not. The rental car contract must be in the name of the Visa card holder - not the spouse or secondary driver - and that person must sign the contract - a minute detail that could save you lots of grief. I never purchase additional insurance on car rentals.

No idea about Orbitz.

I'm also going to use Apex and my uneducated guess on why their excess is not high is that their cars are older. But since their rental charges are way less than the competition and because a friend used them and had no problems, I'll take my chances and hope for the best.

We are headed to NZ in 3 weeks, and have booked a car with Apex. For a little extra, the excess can be brought down to zero, which is what we have opted for. Which means that we are not liable for any damage whatsoever.

Checked out the rates with a lot of agencies in NZ, and found Apex the best.

APEX is fine susncrg. We used them on our last NZ trip. Just be aware that they might want to charge your credit card in the currency of the country you live in - it's called DCC and it's NOT to your advantage. Ask them to charge you in NZ dollars and you'll get a better rate from your bank than you would from theirs and you'll not be paying a transaction fee on a charge already converted.

APEX also has new cars, they give you a choice of rental options.

Thanks Melnq8 - will definitely do. Since their website listed cars that were older, I was wondering whether they had new ones.

My itinerary for the 1st 3-4 weeks is getting clearer, so will be doing a new post of my own to get your opinions on things, thanks.

Since I am soon returning to NZ (Yay!) I rechecked with Visa Benefits and yes, your credit card will cover the excess in NZ, so long as you decline ALL additional insurance for physical damage or theft to the vehicle INCLUDING the windshield insurance. There are other terms and conditions such as following the rental agreement, and SUVs are covered on paved roads only. You must use the Visa card for any reservation as well as the full payment. If anyone needs the phone number it's 1(877)631-0919.

The terms and conditions are online at visa.com/benefits

I also called Amex and they do not cover NZ.

I wonder if they cover the depredations of the evil parrots we encountered at a lookout on Arthur's Pass. We'd no sooner walked away fom the car than the buggers landed on it and started gleefully ripping out the rubber door seals.

Australian white sulphur-crested cockatoos have been known to destroy softwood window and door frames (happened to friends of mine while they were at the coast and it cost them many thousands because the insurance company told them to take a hike), but at least they wait until you're out of sight.

What is it with these birds? I recall Telstra's research labs spending years developing a protective coating that galahs wouldn't strip off outback microwave dishes.

Did that kea in Arthur's Pass look anything like this?

http://www.treknature.com/viewphotos.php?l=3&p=87758

That's the one, mlgb - I'd recognise him anywhere. Should have remembered the name, must have had a senior's moment.