But if your credit card will cover the problem there is no need to get extended auto insurance on your policy. I called our cc company and they said I would be covered. AutoEurope was GREAT to deal with, explaining the $700 hold (but not charged) on the cc until the car was returned. I never get CDW insurance here or abroad.

Good reading. Maybe a stupid question - for coverage by your credit card, I assume you have to use that particular card to pay for the car rental?

I always get the extra insurance, as I usually get into skirmishes with maurading trees and bollards and leave the car back with dents and scratches. My CC company may cover the CDW, but I would prefer not to have to go through the hassle. From my experience with body work on my own car, it does not take too much damage to eat up the $500.

Mind you, when I have left the cars back and pointed out my "sin", the rental companies don't seem to care, as long as the car is drivable.

Ljyoung, As you suspected, you have to pay for the full value of the car rental with the credit card you're using for CDW/theft coverage!

I just went through this. If you are using a Visa (Gold, Platinum or Visa Signature) card, you are fully covered for collision or theft so long as you refuse the CDW and use that card to pay in full. Here's the URL which has a link to all the fine print:

http://usa.visa.com/personal/cards/card_benefits.html