Honestly, the worst part of planning this trip is the car rental aspects. And, my husband has said never will he go to Ireland again because of this car rental hassle (I doubt he'll feel that way after the trip). We've read all the horror stories and tried to figure out all the pitfalls.

Now we have several quotes we are comparing. I am inclined to go with the quote from Nova ( a car broker) because we have used them many times in the past and been happy with their services, including a time when we had a big problem. My husband thinks there has to be some catch with the Nova quotation because it is so much lower than other quotes we've gotten. He is inclined to use Dan Dooley despite the higher price just because the quotation is supposed to include everything with no hidden charges. We are not playing around trying to use a credit card and are willing to pay for CDW. Here is what we've got for a 2 week rental at the end of this month.

Dan Dooley: manual transmission car same size as Nova's quote $787.
Includes collision, tax, unlimited mileage, 3rd party liability
insurance, fire and theft of auto, 1 additional driver, excess waiver, (
this reduces your deductible to 100 Euro) and airport/city location fee.


Nova: manual transmission Golf including an extra driver E362 ($461)
•3rd Party Insurance
•Collision Damage Waiver
Unlimited mileage
•Theft Protection
All taxes
•24 hour breakdown cover

We would supplement this Nova rental by buying super collision damage waiver either through insurance4carhire.com or Nova or through another company my husband just discovered that offers really thorough annual excess polices--Questor.

In any event, renting through Nova and buying one of these extra insurances on top of Nova's rate would cost us at least $200 less than the Dan Dooley quote. So, what am I missing with the Nova rental that could end up costing us extra money? We do understand that with the super CDW we would have to file a claim with the insurer and then be reimbursed afterwards; we are okay with this.

I know some of you have thoroughly investigated this, and I appreciate your help.

Last summer I paid $360 euros for two weeks with Hertz in Ireland. Since I used an Amex card, I didn't bother with adding any extra insurance but got a basic package. There were no extra hidden charges and all went smoothly. Your rental with Nova seems comparable; I have no idea why Dan Dooley would be so much more expensive.

Could it be that Dan Dooley covers Loss of Use, and Nova doesn't? I don't know for certain, of course, but that's one thing that isn't mentioned in either list. It could also be that Dooley is including the airport fee, and Nova isn't. Are you picking up at one place and dropping off at another? That's often an additional fee of around E30. Also, does either quote include a full tank of gas? Car rentals in Ireland often include a full tank of gas in their initial quote, refundable if you bring the car back full. Just some possiblities.

You look like you've a good handle on this byzantine mess. I've tried emailing the head of Bord Failte (Irish Tourism) to urge him to regulate this industry, as it IS keeping people from visiting the Emerald Isle.

Michele at www.irelandyes.com has a great handle on this as well - she has traveled there over 40 times, and has some good information on her forums about car rentals.

This is a pickup and dropoff in Shannon, so there are no extras there. Dooley says it doesn't include fuel. Loss of use I don't know about and can check, but even if it did it's not worth $200 to me. Nova states 24 hour breakdown coverage but I suppose that still means I could be sitting by the side of the road for 6 hours with no car.

Nova is sounding loike a better deal to me all the time, especially since midnightsun paid a similar amount to our Nova quote last summer. It is our understanding tht AMEX and their supplemental insurance that we've bought in other countries do not work for CDW in Ireland. Plus, both quotes include CDW.

Thanks again.

Just wanted to pop in here and comment on the Amex card. Read the fine print when renting a car with Amex. here is a quote from their FAQ's:

"3. What is covered?
Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance reimburses a Cardmember for payments for damage to or theft of a Rental Auto that the Cardmember is required to make. The Plan provides secondary coverage. No coverage is provided for vehicles rented in Australia, Ireland, Italy, Israel, Jamaica and New Zealand. In addition, the Plan does not cover liability or another type of loss. Terms and Conditions apply."

I just happen to visit the web site before I left for Ireland, I'm glad i checked.

Neither quote includes the initial tank of fuel. Dooley permits a full credit if you return the tank full -- Dunno about Nova, as it would depend upon WHICH company they place you with ...

Dooley IS in fact, a 'Full Disclosure' company -- one of only ONE in Ireland --

Others often charge for : Road Tax 1 - 2 euro, per day
Airport or Premium Location Fee - approx 30 Euro

If you call the US office of Dooley (in New Jersey) and mention http://www.irelandexpert.com (Pat Preston's website) you should get a 10% discount. Likewise, if you PRE-PAY with them, there would be NO 'Foreign Transaction Fee', as it would be a US charge, in $US, with a US Company.

Prices are MUCH higher this year, because ALL Irish Companies DRAMATICALLY reduced their Fleet size, due to the poor economy -- Two years ago, there were over 30,000 vehicles available for hire -- this Summer there are slightly less than 13,000!

If an 'Apples to Apples' comparison REALLY shows a $200 difference, I would probably NOT choose Dooley, either -- but if the difference is LESS than $100, I WOULD --

If, for no OTHER reason, than to ENCOURAGE the whole, 'Truth In Advertising'effort!

Bob

We used Dan Dooley in April. The initial bill was as quoted, PLUS the cost of a tank of gas. We returned the tank full, and that was refunded. We had to extend our stay for 3 days and there were no hassles keeping the car. (There were also no new rentals going out.) I felt like our car was perhaps a little older than we might have gotten from another company, but since the sides were already pretty well scratched up, we didn't have to worry about more scratches. If the price is right, we will use them again. We have never used Nova. That is a pretty good price differential. I would call Dooley and ask why so high.

We signed with Dooley for a trip in June. I felt more comfortable because of the full disclosure. I didn't want any surprises when I get over there. I have nothing to compare with however...

Excellent info---thanks to all

Midnightsun: I missed your post first time through . . . You were very lucky if you got away w/o a scratch. You were essentially driving through Ireland w/o ANY insurance at all (except the mandatory liability included in the rental rates).

AMEX definitely does not cover rental cars in Ireland.