Is there a preferred credit card out there that allows you to not pay the daily extra insurance costs?
Thanks!!

What country? Europe is a big place and there are different rules in different countries.

Most Gold & higher MC & Visa cards offers CDW. I think AE offers it too. Depending on the card issuer, you are allowed up to either 14 or 31 days of "intended" usage. It is not offered for rentals in Italy & Ireland, and some other countries. For it to take effect, you must decline any CDW offered by the car rental firm.

Call your car issuer to see what your specific card offers.

Stu Dudley

So if you are renting in the Netherlands or Germany-do you take any extra insurance if you have a gold card?

Be aware of one other thing: dynamic currency conversion. Hertz in the UK for example has written into the contract that the CC used will be charged in its issuing currency, not GBP, and the company (Hertz) will determine the conversion factor used.
You have to SPECIFICALLY request that the CC be charged in GBP rather than Hertz's "converted" Dollars.

On My AA Citi card, I do not need to purchase CDW from the rental company in Germany or Holland. Same with my United Milege Plus, and my Morgan Stanley debit card.

More on Duky's comment. I always rent through AutoEurope (US based car rental broker). Where allowed, I pay the entire amount in advance so that I pay in USD & don't get charged the currency conversion charge. If I must pay a portion in a foreign currency, I use my Morgan Stnlry card because they only charge a 1% conversion, while the others charge 3%. Capital One charges 0%.

Every year I need to rent a car for more than 31 days. In this case, I rent two cars, & put each one on a different card.

Remember, the CDW, max days rental, and the currency conversion fees are card dependent. My Visa card may have different "rules" than your Visa card.

Stu Dudley

Because I rent cars often overseas, I have Amex's premium rental insurance. See explanation below:

"Consumers who use a personal AmEx credit card but want primary coverage when renting with their plastic can opt for "Premium Car Rental Protection," which provides primary CDW, as well as accidental death and dismemberment insurance and secondary medical and personal property insurance.

Premiums begin at $19.95 per rental, regardless of length, with higher-coverage options available at a higher cost. Enrollment is free and coverage will apply automatically every time you rent. This offering from AmEx can be a good choice is you usually rent cars for two days or more."

Hi DF,

>So if you are renting in the Netherlands or Germany-do you take any extra insurance if you have a gold card?<

No.

I usually just make sure the CDW is covered by using a gold or platinum card. There are some countries, Ireland for one, where most cards do not cover the CDW. Also in Italy and Israel.

I'm not sure about Italy and Israel, because I've used a gold card to cover CDW in Italy, but that was in the past.

A World Mastercard will cover CDW in Ireland, or at least it did in 2006 when I was there.

Thanks everyone!
I'll be renting near Munich and only driving in Germany and Austria.
I recall using a Mastercard about 10 years ago in South Africa that covered collision insurance. And that Capital One Card has been great with 0% currency conversion.

Hi SR,

You will need an International Driver's Permit for Austria.
http://www.aaasouth.com/home.asp

You will also need a road tax sticker (vignette) to drive on major roads.

They are available at gas stations on the German side of the border as you approach Austria.

Thanks ira.

You want to be sure that your credit card is PRIMARY. Lot's of those gold Visa's and Mastercard's are SECONDARY. Basically they make you file with your personal insurance first.

I have a USAA Visa that does give me Primary coverage. The Diner's Club Mastercard used to, but I have checked it in a while.

That said, there are countries that no matter what you have to pay! (Ireland and Italy come to mind)

As of September 2008, my Citi World Master Card covered CDW in Ireland. Only "World" Master Cards will cover in Ireland.

My USAA Visa covered me in Italy too. BUT GOOD LUCK finding anyone to rent to you without buying the insurance! I never could find an agency I felt comfortable with who would. Finally just got a decent deal on Auto Europe and took it! LOL!