cavan97

Has anyone had any experience using your credit card for CDW then actually running into trouble and having to use it?

Curious

To answer your question, yes.<BR><BR>It would help to know where you are going. My experience was in Germany.<BR><BR>If you would do a search on Fodors Text Search, you would find tons of information on this subject.<BR><BR>That said, when we returned the car to Avis at Frankfurt Airport, the estimated damage charge was placed immediately on our credit card. It was only approximately E600.<BR><BR>When we returned home to the States, we immediatly called the credit card company we had rented the car with. They sent us the paper work. Keep ALL estimates, pictures, police reports (if any), etc.<BR><BR>We then called the credit card company we had billed the damage to. They immediately suspended any interest charges while the claim was being processed.<BR><BR>Within about 60 days, I received a check for the full amount of damage from the original credit card company. I then paid off the other credit card company.<BR><BR>Sounds easy, right? We had minor damage. If you have major damage, like a wreck, they could max out your credit card waiting for your CDW to kick in.<BR><BR>I think next time we go, I'm going to take the CDW. Although I feel safer driving in Europe compared to here in the States, a major wreck could create problems.<BR><BR>Curious<BR> <BR>

wlongman

Please be aware that you may be required to purchase CDW regardless if it is covered by your credit card. I know this is the case in the UK, not sure about the continent. Also, even tho' you purchase CDW (or may be required) there may be an excess that you still MUST pay. In the UK and Mexico, even if you get CDW, you are still liable for 10% of the damage.<BR><BR>I'm in the car rental biz - domestically, I never purchase it. Internationally (we take about 2 or 3 trips a year for leisure) we ALWAYS get CDW. Because if there is a problem - it's a pain in the BUTT to have to deal with the car rental company overseas with any problems.

payant

best advice I ever had was from my insurance agent. spend three or four dollars on a one time use camera with a flash--have seen them as low as 3-4 dollars. Photograph your rental car very carefully when you pick it up-especially any area indicated as damaged on youyr contract. when you return your car (with the pictures developed) rephotograph any newly damaged areas before getting the station supervisor at the tine to sign off on your return. if you give them a gree hand they wil find some damage which you then have to cover. If you do not have full cdw and liability in Mexico, they will impound the car at the time of the accident and the rental company just starts ringing up charges.

rhkkmk

there has been a lot posted about this for many weeks, perhaps you haven't seen it...you are listed under ireland so i assume that is where you are going...so am i on saturday if it ever stops snowing here (boston)..the best advice i have is to use a mastercard, as most ireland rental companies will accept the waiver using this card...if you don't have one get one...

wojazz3

Yes, this has gotten some serious coverage recently and since CDW is VERY expensive in Ireland, it is worth using your MC. You will need to contact the rental company to make sure they accept the insurance and also you can contact MC at 1-800 MCASSIST for information. They will send you a letter of coverage. I do not recommend that you call the issuing bank. They are frequently misinformed. Here is the website:<BR>http://www.mastercard.com/cardholderservices/guidetobenefits/masterrental_insurance.html<BR><BR>Visa does not cover CDW but Diners Club does.<BR><BR>Bill

Gavin

In response to a previous statement that the purchase of CDW is required in the UK I can say that it was NOT required for my two rentals within the last year. I know someone who one had to use the credit card coverage for minor damage to a rental car in the UK and he had no trouble with it.

greg

If I read the cavan97's question correctly, the inquiry has to do with the actually processing the damage under CC CDW as opposed to whether to use the CC CDW.<BR>While I have not had to process a damage under CC CDW, the concern noted by &quot;curious&quot; is always on my mind. While I do use CC with CDW coverage, I do not use it under every circumstances. The experiences I have read vary from CC card company taking care of the damage even before getting the statement to having to fight the charge 5 months after the trip while the credit remains blocked on the card.<BR>So I would use the CC CDW if it is ok to have the credit availability wiped out for the remainder of the trip. I know that the CC companies increase the credit limit at their discretion. I don't know if they do it under this circumstance.

isabel

I have used the Visa card's coverage for the CDW several times (including in Engalnd). I've never had to file a claim but I did discuss it thoroughly with the people at Visa as I wanted to understand how it works (especially since there seems to be so many conflicting stories here). They said the amount of damage will be put on your card. If it is a lot (car totaled) it would max out your card until you got all the paperwork done. So if you only have one credit card it could be a problem. If you have more than one (e.g. Visa and MC or AMEX) than you'd just use the other card to continue your trip. Once you get home and submit all the paperwork (police reports, rental car company paperwork, etc) they'll usually extend your credit till the charge is eventaully removed. They waive interest on it. For some people this is too much hassel. But if you get the right paperwork and submit what they ask for, they will cover you and it can save quite a bit of money. The CDW adds alot to a car rental. People I know who have filed claims say they are fine to work with, it just takes time and a bit of work on your part to gather the necessasry documentation. It's worth it to me.

wojazz3

This was a confusing post since it did not list the country, but it was on the Ireland board. Greg and Isabelle's point is great though on it maxing out your card. <BR><BR>Bill

Robert1109

I have checked with MasterCard (1-800-MC_ASSIST) and listened VERY carefully and MC DOES NOT!!! cover/extend CDWinsurance to Agentina, Jamaca, Isreal, or IRELAND !!! Please call them for yourself and verify. So I am still left with the problem of CDW in Ireland...do I have to just take the $$$ hit and pay what they want??? any adivce would be GREATLY appreciated...

RufusTFirefly

Don't feel too safe driving in Europe--accident, injury, and death rates per kilometer driven are quite high in several Western European countries. And even higher for tourists driving themselves.

Thyra

When we were in Ireland the last two times, neither of our credit card companies offered CDW in IRELAND.. though they did in other European countries. You need to be absolutely certain that your card will do that for Ireland, even if it is a &quot;travelers&quot; credit card company.,

moonbeam

I buy it all the time...the cost is negligible considering the time and effort I would have to put in to file a claim when using the coverage provided by my CC. I have better things to do than fiddle around for a month or 2 waiting,paying in advance etc! so on a 7 day rental it costs you $100.00 or a little more, what is your time and your nerves worth!

davidess

Robert1109--was your credit card, by any chance, issued by a Canadian Bank? We spent a month in Ireland last November and rented through Budget. We were told by Budget that a Mastercard issued by an American Bank would cover CDW, but that one issued by a Canadian bank would not. That's half the story. CDW purchase left us still with some substantial exposure, and accordingly we purchased &quot;Super CDW&quot; at the Cork airport kiosk (E7 per day) and in our view, worth every penny to alleviate potential hassles. We made sure that the combination of CDW and &quot;Super CDW&quot; covered everything including aerials, tires, wheelcovers, mirrors,theft of vehicle, etc. While it was relatively expensive (especially on the Canadian dollar) we thought the peace of mind was worth it. And we were right. Oh, those Irish roads! One wheelcover and one mirror in the first 25 miles out of Cork Airport. I sure do recommend getting all the CDW coverage available. Considering the total cost of a trip to Ireland, I have to agree with moonbeam that if there's any uncertainty at all, lay out the cash. It won't be a significant portion of your total expenses, unless you're staying in hovels and eating gruel (none of us, surely)!<BR><BR>DES