pollydill

Ok, with either personal car insurance or credit card car insurance, Ireland is the exception. (Why?)

I should purchase collision/liability car insurance from the car rental agency in Ireland-namely Dan Dooley or Hertz? any others?

Thanks much for the helpful replies.
PD

amer_can

Who knows why!!! It has been this way for as long as I remember travelling in Ireland. Whereever you rent the car will be the best place and probably only place to get the insurance! Happy trails or lanes in this case!!!

Tony2phones

Typically the only credit cards that covered insurance were US Mastercards and Canadian Visa. A few years ago there was a big shake up in the insurance industry and many underwriters changed tack (financial institutions being in the mire and all).. Ireland was a high risk area, not because of crime but because our transatlantic visitors tend to damage cars for one reason or another. So Ireland became a non cover region.. People like insurance4carhire also blocked Ireland for non EU licence holders..

CDW is commonly included in quotes unless you go through some web based agencies who short sell. Super CDW (Collision Damage Waver) reduces your liability in the case of a claim and increases the areas of the vehicle covered like Glass, underside, wheels occasionally Tires. always check the details.
SCDW if purchased also eliminates the "Hold"

indy_dad

Some World Mastercards will cover the insurance in Ireland. More info in some previous threads:

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...dmust-read.cfm

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...d-mc-again.cfm

Note in the second link there is also reference to a third party option: http://insurance4carhire.com/

read the fine print to make sure you are covered.

As others have stated, I had good experience with Dan Dooley -- very transparent transaction with no surprises.

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...ids-photos.cfm

pollydill

Thanks for the clarification!

Tony2phones

Insurance4carhire is restricted to EU specific license holders and does NOT cover anyone with a driving licence issued in countries other than the European countries on their list..

Someone on the TA forum did purchase cover from them and the policy was accepted by the desk clerk as a waver.. but if they had needed to claim it would have been null and void.

indy_dad

Thanks Tony. I knew there was some "fine print". I had both US and UK licenses at the time so I couldn't remember.

Tony2phones

When things changed there was a period of left hand right hand with annual and daily policies from I4CH so even they didn't know who their underwriters would cover so they decided to just blanket the whole thing with the restricted list.

There are a couple of similar companies out there who do offer the excess cover to non EU folk

JamesLuke227

I have used a company called Journey Through Ireland for my car hire a few times now and I find them very easy to deal with and straight forward. They will quote you in Dollars if you ring them which I like and have always done everything to help me with any questions I have had, even with recommending accommodations. No hidden fees with them and my car hire has always been easy.

crckwc1

Our World MasterCard covers in Ireland when card is used from the original booking throughout the trip. You can request a letter from them to show the rental agency. Be sure to decline the car rental insurance by checking/initialing on your rental papers. Again, that is World MasterCard --the only one I'm aware of that will cover in Ireland.

aimeekm

I can confirm what krejaton wrote above. Chase Visa Signature cards do now include Ireland in their CDW coverage, effective 11/1/13.

http://milecards.com/7774/confirmed-...srael-jamaica/

http://www.cardjournalist.com/increa...-card-holders/

Here's the benefits guide
https://www.chasebenefits.com/visasigVW1

I called and confirmed and received a benefits letter from Visa, specifically stating Ireland is covered. Also I emailed the letter in regards to my Budget reservation and have an email confirming they will accept the letter and allow me to decline CDW (2,000E hold on the CC).

JeanneV

The best way to see the most of any part of Ireland is by rental car. Public transport does not reach the rural areas. Between Dublin and Galway you can visit the Boyne Valley Center (Bru na Boinne), with ancient burial mounds that predate the pyramids of Egypt, the Hill of Tara was home to the High Kings of Ireland, Trim Castle is the largest Anglo-Norman castle in Ireland and was used by Mel Gibson for filming scenes for his movie Braveheart. Onward to Athlone area and Clonmacnoise, a 6th century monastic settlement on the River Shannon. I drove all of these in past years and had a great time. Couldn't do it without a car. As far as rental cars go some folks have mentioned Dan Dooley (above) and Hertz. I used Hertz but booked it through easytourireland.com and found that they had a zero deducible fully inclusive rate which was a great value! check them out. Hope this helps.

janisj

JeanneV: This thread is 5 months old and the OP's trip is long over . . . it was topped by a spammer.

MarilynT1435

I answered this because I drove the area that was questioned. New readers of the question might like the reply I made. After all isn't this where people go to find answer to their touring questions. Sure Holly 271's trip is over but someone else may want to know what can be done between Dublin and Galway. Maybe you?