jakegibbs

I've been doing internet searches to find out whether I can use my MasterCard Gold card CDW coverage to avoid paying for CDW for an Irish car rental. The responses are inconsistent and conflicting. Does anyone know:
- does it depend on the US bank that issued the card?
- does it depend on the Irish company from which you rent?
- other factors I'm forgetting?
Many thanks, Jake

eurotravler

Jake - On the back of your MasterCard Gold card you will find 1-800-# that will put you in touch with Customer Service. Ask them, do not trust opinions you may get on this forum. If their response is favorable for CDW coverage ask for it in writing.

BarbBC3

I was told that MasterCard Platinum was the one that covered CDW in Ireland. But EuroTravler is right, call MasterCard to make sure. I'd also call the rental agency in Ireland (the actual Irish office) and make sure with them as well.

janis

Even if Master Card says they will cover CDW, it won't matter if the rental agency doesn't accept that option. You should definitely contact the agency directly to find out if the Master Card CDW coverage is accepted.

janis

BTW - I've found that many (but not all) companies do accept credit card CDW coverage, But some do not accept it for excess (the deductible over and above CDW).

So it is doubly important to contact them.

wojazz3

You have to call both MC and the rental company but, the number on the back of your credit card may be the bank, and not MC. In fact, the number on the back of both of my MCs are for the banks. The bank WILL NOT know. The number for mastercard is 1 800 MC ASSIST. They will send you a letter to verify that you have the coverage. Again, MC provides the coverage, not the bank.

Bill

eurotravler

http://www.mastercard.com/cardholder...insurance.html





MasterRental is a smart way to save when you rent a car for 15 consecutive days or less. MasterRental is an insurance program.

How to get coverage:
? Simply initiate entire rental agency's security deposit and pay for the entire rental transaction (tax, gasoline and airport fees are not considered rental charges) with your MasterCard card. If a rental company promotion of any kind is initially applied toward payment of the rental vehicle, at least one day of rental must be charged to your MasterCard card.
? Decline the collision/loss damage waiver offered by the car rental company; and
? You (the cardholder) must rent the car in your own name and sign the car rental contract. Coverage does not apply if you pay for someone else to rent the car.
? Coverage begins when you pick up the car and ends when you turn it in, limited to the 15 consecutive day maximum.
? MasterRental will not pay for or duplicate the collision/loss damage waiver coverage offered by the rental agency.

The kind of coverage you receive:
? MasterRental will pay for covered damages up to $50,000 per incident for which the cardholder or any other authorized driver is legally responsible to the rental agency on a secondary basis. This means that after your primary/other insurance has paid its limits, MasterRental will cover:
(a) the insurance deductible (or your employer's insurance deductible if you are traveling on business). Note: By law in certain states, losses to rental vehicles in the United States, US. territories and possessions, and in Canada are considered under the liability portion of your personal auto policy. In most cases, no deductible will be applied and you may not receive any benefit from this program. Please, always, contact your insurance carrier for full coverage details pertaining to your personal auto policy.
(b) any reasonable and customary repair cost not covered by any other coverage (or your employer's coverage, as the case may be).
? If you have no other insurance or your insurance does not cover you in territories or countries outside of the U.S. coverage is primary.
? If no other insurance is applicable, coverage is primary, which means you do not have to seek coverage from any other source before receiving coverage under this program.

Coverage will be provided for:
? Up to $50,000 per incident on claims for which the cardholder or any authorized driver are legally responsible to the rental agency:
(a) physical damage and theft of the vehicle up to its market value, not to exceed $50,000.
(b) reasonable and customary charges imposed by the rental car company for the period of time the car is being repaired ("Loss of Use" charges) that are substantiated by a Fleet Utilization log.
(c) reasonable and customary towing charges to the nearest qualified repair facility imposed by the rental agency on a covered loss.

Who is covered:
? The MasterCard cardholder and those designated in the auto rental contract as authorized drivers are covered.

Which vehicles are covered:
? Most are, including all minivans and sport utility vehicles that are designed to accommodate nine passengers or fewer, when used on bound surfaces such as concrete or tarmac.

Excluded rental vehicles:
? Vehicles with a MSRP of greater than $50,000. All trucks, pickups, full-size vans mounted on truck chassis, campers, offroad vehicles, and other recreational vehicles. Trailers, motorbikes, motorcycles and any other vehicle having fewer than four wheels, antique cars (cars that are over 20 years old or have not been manufactured for at least 10 years), limousines. If you have any questions, or to confirm coverage for a particular vehicle, call [1-800-MC-ASSIST].
? Trailers, motorcycles and any other vehicle having fewer than four wheels, motorbikes, antique cars (cars that are over 20 years old or have not been manufactured for at least 10 years), limousines, expensive or exotic cars (for example, Corvette, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Jaguar, Hummer, Land Rover).
? If you have any questions, or to confirm coverage for a particular vehicle, call 1-800-MC-ASSIST.
? Outside the United States expensive or exotic cars are not excluded.

Where you're covered:
? In general, coverage is accepted worldwide, but there are exceptions.
? You may be unable to use this service in Australia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, and New Zealand. Please contact your car rental company before you travel.
? Coverage is not available where prohibited by law.

What is NOT covered:
? Any loss that occurs due to driving, or being charged with driving, under the influence of drugs or alcohol, or reckless driving, or being charged with reckless driving, unless found not guilty of any charge.
? Items stolen from in or upon automobiles, other vehicles or common carriers.
? Coverage is not all-inclusive, which means it does not cover such things as personal injury, personal liability or personal property. It does not cover you for damage to someone else's car or property, your property or personal property inside the car. It does not cover you for any injury to any party.
? Coverage is not provided for any obligation you assume other than that which is covered under this program or your personal auto policy.
? Any loss that occurs while you or an authorized driver is in violation of the rental agreement.
? Loss due to driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol, or reckless driving.
? Losses involving unauthorized drivers.
? Losses involving the theft of the rental vehicle when the renter or authorized driver cannot produce the keys to the rental vehicle, as a result of negligence.
? Mechanical failures caused by wear and tear, gradual deterioration or mechanical breakdown.
? Subsequent damages resulting from a failure to mitigate damages once a loss has occurred.
? Blowouts or tire/rim damage that occurs independently of vehicle damage/theft or vandalism to the rental vehicle and/or tire, or that has been proven to be the proximate cause of further damage to the rental vehicle.
? Collision/loss damage waiver coverage purchased through the car rental agency.
? Any damage that is of an intentional or non-accidental nature, caused by the renter or authorized driver(s) of the rental vehicle.
? Depreciation, diminishment of value, administrative, or other fees charged by the rental car company.
? In no event shall coverage be provided when a cardholder rents a vehicle beyond 15 consecutive days/31 consecutive days from the same Rental Company, whether the original agreement is extended, a new written agreement is entered into, new vehicle is rented, unless a 72 hour period has passed, from the date the original rental vehicle was returned. However, a new vehicle rented in a different city from the same agency, at least 50 miles from the previous rental agency, is permitted.
? Losses resulting from any kind of illegal activity.
? Damage sustained on any surface, other than a bound surface such as concrete or tarmac.
? War or hostilities of any kind (for example, invasion, rebellion, insurrection, riot or civil commotion); confiscation or damage by any government, public authority or customs official; risks of contraband, illegal activity or acts.
? Any loss involving the rental vehicle being used for hire or as a public or livery conveyance.
? Theft of or damage to unlocked or unsecured vehicles.
? Value added tax, or similar tax, unless reimbursement of such tax is required by law.

How to file a claim:
1. Call 1-800-MC-ASSIST to get a claim form. You must report any claim within 30 days of the incident or we will not be able to honor your claim. (Outside the United States, use AT&T Direct and then 1-800-MC-ASSIST.)

2. Complete and sign the claim form and attach all appropriate documentation, including a copy of:
? Your MasterCard sales slip.
? The rental agreement (front and back).
? A copy of the declarations page of your personal automobile insurance policy or, if you do not have insurance, a signed statement to that effect.
? The accident or police report.
? An itemized repair bill or estimate, MasterCard statement, and copy of rental company promotion, if used.
? A copy of the car rental company's Fleet Utilization log, if "Loss of Use" charges are being claimed.
? Any other documentation the MasterCard Assistance Center may request.

3. Be sure to submit all the above required documentation to the MasterCard Assistance Center within 180 days of the incident, or claim will not be honored. If you have any questions, please call 1-800-MC-ASSIST.

4. If payment is made under MasterRental, the insurance company is entitled to recover such amounts from other parties or persons. Any party or person to or for whom the insurance company makes payment must transfer to the insurance company his or her rights to recovery against any other party or person. The cardholder must do everything necessary to secure these rights and must do nothing that would jeopardize them, or these rights will be recovered from the cardholder.

Reminder: Please refer to the Final Legal Disclosure section.