Now that we've decided on where we are going (finally) we are beginning to look into car rentals. I have asked for a quote from www.gemut.com. We will be renting a car for 2 weeks in Germany and Switzerland. I found out that our car insurance company, Geico, does not cover us in Europe. I'm currently looking into what are CC will cover. If not, I will check to see what the car rental company offers.

For the 3rd week my sister and I will be renting a car in France.

Is there any type of auto insurance that any of these 3 countries absolutely require?

Any advice on car rentals in these 3 countries would be greatly appreciated. I am aware of the sticker for entering Switzerland.

Thanks!

American car insurance companies never cover europe - only the US and Canada. You should get primary coverage from your credit card company (Ger and Swtiz should be no problem - and check the different cards since coverage is ot the same with all) and buy extra from the renter if you need it.

Oh - sorry - no rental company will let you have a car unless you have insurance that covers their car. It's your choice if you want to cover other cars/injuries - or if you prefer to risk your personal assets.

Personally I would think it madness to do so - but it depends on if you have and sizeable assets or are judgment proof (have no assets).

You are right to check your credit cards. My mastercard says that they cover CDW on cars when I charge the rental. I've done that a number of times and although I haven't smashed a car I think I was covered.

There have been may posts here from people who have been able to have damage to rental vehicles covered by their credit card company. It does work. Make sure that you understand your card's rules. A common issue is that you must decline all of the car rental company's CDW in order to be covered by the credit card. Some people have paid for limited CDW with rental company only to find that if they had declined it their liabilty for damage to the car would have been zero and now they are stuck with paying a deductable. Liability coverage is included with the rental everywhere in Europe that I have investigated this.

I had an accident in England and my gold card Visa paid for every cent of it. I just had to do a little paperwork, and it was all taken care of.

nytraveler is severely misinformed.

All rental cars in Europe, as in N. AMerica, come with liability insurance maintained by the rental company. What they most often don't have is collision insurance. The rental agreement makes the renter responsible for any damage to the vehicle unless they take out the Collision Damage Waiver (CDW).

I hear CDW referred to as "insurance" so often it makes me crazy. It is not insurance, it is simply the rental company waiving their contractual right to make you pay for damages to the car.

N. American insurers won't extend a common endorsement that you can buy for N. American use, called Legal Liability for Damage to Non-owned Vehicles - to rentals in Europe, so most people should either pay for the CDW or make sure that they rent the car with a credit card that agrees to pay for any damage charges assessed by the rental company. Even that feature is not perfect as there are some limitation. It's best to reveiw the agreement terms on your credist card providers website for this benefit.

Simple, no?

Simple it is! Plus it's a severe!! criminal offence to drive a car without liability insurance. Fortunately it's easy to see, if the insurance has been paid. There'll be a round silver sticker at the rear number plate in Germany. It tells you where the car has been registerd and that liabiltity insurance has been paid.

Thank you for the responses.

We were going to take to Europe with us our (2) *bank (Wachovia)*Debit/ATM cards (with Visa logo) on them as well as (2) debit/atm cards from our credit union. So if we use the debit/atm card (which can be used as a cc over here in the states) to purchase our rental car ... I'm wondering if Visa will give us coverage? We weren't planning on taking an actual credit card other than the debit cards that can be used for either debit or credit but that withdrawals cash straight from our checking/savings accounts.

So I'm wondering if we do need to take an actual credit card and ask if they do cover us??? I'm thinking the cards I've listed above will not. OR .. I guess I can pay the fees the rental agency charges us for coverage.

I'm not sure I have this straight yet. No? yes?

Thanks for the help!

Liability coverage is always included in any rental contract you can get. You only need to buy additional coverage, if you need/wan't it. Since cars are expensive and you're respnsible for any damage to it, you can buy a CDW. (We're only talking about CDW here) this may be covered by your CC.

thanks Logos, you summed it up beautifully. Now I only need to find a credit card or whether or not any of the cards I'm planning on taking cover the CDW. Thanks!

Okay, I'll try again.

Credit card issuers do not "cover" the CDW.

If your CC issuer provides this benefit they agree to pay for any damages to the car, up to a stated limit, provided it was rneted with the card, in the name of the cardholder, and there are no other primary sources of recovery.

If you pay for the CDW, it will be primary and your CC issuer has nothing to pay.

You may not have to pay for the CDW - contact your credit card -NOT debit card - issuer and inquire about this benefit. Don't generalize or be afraid to find out about what rental damage benefit they provide. Learn, and then and then make your decision.

Rental companies thrive on the ignorance of the public about the process - and they earn 25-50% more income on their rentals as a result. Do you think 25-50% of cars rented get wrecked beyond repair?

The first time I used the CC to cover CDW I called the 800 number on the back and checked before the trip. That seemed to work for me.

You mentioned requesting a quote from gemut.com. If you decide to rent from them, you will pay for your car at the time of the booking, in US $ with a credit card. This should be the credit card that you want to use to cover the CDW. Then, when you pick up the car in Europe, you will decline the insurance offered by the rental car company on their contract.