Kelly1212

We need to buy CDW coverage on our rental car in Ireland (unfortunately because our Platinum MasterCard won't cover it after Sept. 1). I looked into buying it through our rental agency -- AutoEurope, and while the price is fairly affordable, I was dismayed to find out there's a $1,200 deductible if you file a claim.
So I looked into buy TravelGuard's CDW policy, which costs $9 a day plus a $3 service fee. It has a $200 deductible and does cover Ireland.
However, AutoEurope told me that our rental agency in Ireland won't accept TravelGuard's coverage, and most others won't. I called TravelGuard and was told they'll still pay claims in Ireland though the rental companies aren't very cooperative in providing claims records, repairs, all the necessary documentation needed to file a claim.
Has anyone else used TravelGuard's CDW coverage in Ireland? What was your experience? Ever used its coverage there? I'm wondering if we're making a risky bet by buying their coverage instead of what the rental agency offers, even though it's not a very good deal.
Thanks for any help you can offer.
Best,
Kelly

Melissa5

Kelly1212, we were stuck with the same sort of decision and problem. I ended up discovering that if you contact Kemwel through Michele Erdvig's web-site www.IrelandYes.com, Kemwel guarantees that they can give you the best deal for the best price. So we told them the offer we already had on a rental car and they gave us a better deal. We paid for the CDW through Kemwel (they use various companies and in our case it was a Europcar rented through Kemwel.) Yes there was a deductible using the CDW. But if you wanted to upgrade to "Super CDW" that was either a low dedictible or no dedictible...However we chose to just get the regular CDW instead of the Super CDW. Hope this info helps you make your decision.

Melissa5

Kelly1212, I can also tell you that even if you are a good driver, driving in Ireland does present hazards to your rental vehicle. The roads are narrow and twisting, with overgrown hedges and sometimes on the side of the road there are rocks, pebbles, and even some curbs which come to a sharp point! There is often only 1 lane in each direction with trucks and buses sharing the road with you...

ira

Hi K,

www.auto-europe.co.uk offers Refundable Excess for about 12 GBP more than the "inclusive" price.

You can call AutoEurope at their US 800 number and talk to them about renting through AutoEurope UK.

IrishEyes

I just tried both sites mentioned. Kemwel with IrelandYes.com is in US dollars. www.auto-europe.co.uk is quoted in pounds sterling. Do the exchange rates to see which is best.

Clifton

You might want to also compare rates with www.argusrentals.com . Irish company.

We've rented with them before with no problems. I just looked at the site and their deductible varies by car. EUR 700 for a manual that I looked at, EUR 900 for an automatic Corolla. Both could be reduced by an additional per day amount for liability access. I guess most of them have something like this, if you wanted to just handle it through the one channel.

Another option is Nova - www.novacarhire.com . They're a broker like Auto Europe. Heard ok things, but haven't used them.

Clifton

Oh, meant to mention that Argus will drop the deductible on that automatic to zero for 11.50 EUR per day.

Kelly1212

Thanks for all tips, everyone! It's still aggravating that these rental firms won't cooperate with TravelGuard, because its prices and deductible for Ireland CDW are so much lower than what you'll pay through the rental firms. (I guess no wonder they don't want to cooperate -- this coverage is probably very profitable for them now that no credit cards offer it!)
Thanks again for the help.

IrishEyes

Kelly1212, You are mis-informed. There are still credit cards that will cover CDW in Ireland.

Kelly1212

Hi IrishEyes,
Thanks. I've heard that Diner's Club and perhaps MasterCard World (?) still cover CDW in Ireland, but unless you're reaping other benefits from those cards, it isn't worth the $80 - $200 in annual fees those cards charge. Am I missing other fee-free cards I should be considering?
Best,
Kelly

IrishEyes

According to another discussion forum business Master Cards and Diners Club provide CDW coverage in Ireland after Setpember. Whether you would get one would depend on the other perks they offer.

wojazz3

I haven't checked to see if my business MC still covers CDW in Ireland. The world card from Juniper bank has no annual fee.

Bill

Halbaby

World Points Mastercharge COVERS IRELAND---CDW TO $50,00 INCLUDING THEFT AND VANDELISM AND 0 DEDUCTABLE.
Get thru B of A no annual fee ! Hertz, etc and others will accept the card !

Itallian_Chauffer

I have a NON-Business, STANDARD Platinum, CHASE MC that has NO Annual fee and it covers CDW in Ireland per the Chase Rep AND the GUIDE TO BENEFITS that came with it.

The first 4 digits ARE 5466 -- see the OTHER CDW Thread currently on this board.
I know their foreign transaction fees are high (3%) and I've heard that their excange rates aren't all that great, but ...
10 Euro 50 per day for a near two week rental would cost over 130 Euro for the Super CDW. Add in the 40 Euro or so for the BASIC CDW and using the CHASE stand to SAVE me almost 170 Euro on what has been quted as about $300-350 Rental (small manual car). Even WITH the 3%, the 'penalty will only work out to about $12!
AND, that's ZERO deductible, whereas the 'SUPER CDW' still leaves the renter responsible for the first 100 Euro worth of damage.
MC DOESN'T cover Tires. Most of the 'Super CDW's' DON'T either.

You might want to check CHASE or some of the other MasterCards out.
A $100 Diner's Club Annual Fee might even prove to be a BARGAIN, as well.

Bob

Itallian_Chauffer

This is the OTHER CDW Thread:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...2&tid=34883496

Bob

mari5

This is interesting, (and a bit confusing). I hope it's not true that Mastercard has stopped covering CDW in Ireland. Mastercard IS MAstercard,,,theirone general 800 number,,,no connection with a bank or different cards. They use to send a letter,,,but perhaps that has changed. (there are only a few countries that REQUIRE coverage...Ireland,Israel, Jamaica etc)...but when we rented a few years ago the letter covered the CDW. I will look into it with Mastercard.
You are probably right , since you have a specific date of Sept. 1 for the cutoff.

Itallian_Chauffer

My old, trusty MBNA MC that I used every year since 1999, stopped covering Ireland effective Sept 1. When Bank of America took over the account shortly there after, THEY didn't add it back in.

Fortunately for me, I had the Chase MC, which they have assured me DOES cover Ireland.

Never-the-less, DON'T take the ISSUER'S word for it. In my experience, they've been wrong as often as not when it comes to MC benefits and coverage.

Call 1 800 MCASSIST and get it straight from the horse's mouth.
Only MC knows for sure, what MC does or does not cover.

Bob

12perfectdays

I lollygagged on getting a new credit card months ago when I thought that World MC was what I needed as they have a $75 annual fee (waived the first year) spent the moolah & got the superCDW with my rental

A few weeks ago I came across a thread here regarding insurance4carhire.com and have checked into it, emailed them and asked for some clarification. It does sound good- they even cover tires and windshield! I will be using it next time (just too late now with all else left to do as I leave in 5 days 21 hours and 26 minutes!)


This may be worth checking into for you....
www.insurance4carhire.com
and here is the thread where it was brought up
http://fodors.com/forums/threadselec...2&tid=34970120

Dawn

Itallian_Chauffer

Dawn --

Have a PERFECT trip.

Bob