Rental Car Insurance
 

Hi, We are renting a car in Nice, France and going through Northern Italy into Switzerland, flying out of Zurich. My credit card company says they cover me for certain things but no liability. They say that I can buy a liability policy. What do you well-seasoned, drive-all-over Europe experts do? We need good advice. Thanks!<BR>Happy Travels! Carole

I always get the liability insurance. It hasn't been too high a charge.<BR><BR>Check with your credit card company to make sure that you will be covered driving in Italy. Some companies won't insure for italy

Some car rental companies have liability included in the rental. Make sure that when you rent the car, there is no deductible if you buy the CDW from them. This seems to be the case with rentals in France. If there is a deductible and they will not sell you a "super CDW" you will be responsible for a portion of the damage if you have an accident. It can be quite expensive depending on what kind of car you rent. If you have good credit card coverage, it usually will cover you for loss with no deductible. Would you want to be responsible for $500 or more if you have an accident? <BR>And I believe there are different kinds of liability. Like, they do not cover without extra cost, liability for stolen luggage or bodily injury to you or your passengers.

If your trip is a couple of weeks or longer, the Renault Eurodrive program might be worth investigating. www.renalutusa.com<BR><BR>Their rates include all insurance; there would be a drop fee in Switzerland but it still might be cheaper, or you could afford a nicer car (and always brand new) than with a conventional rental company.

Cain't Type. http://www.renaultusa.com

I had excellent luck w/Europe By Car in the same situation you describe.

I checked with Europe by Car and Renault and they didn't work out. I got a better car rental rate for $500 USD for 13 day car rental with Hertz through Delta. Compact car, standard shift with a/c. My credit card covers me for everything (yes, even in Italy) except liability. I am just not sure where I buy the liability part of the insurance. Any suggestions? Thanks!

Most rentals include liability in the basic rate (in fact that is the only insurance included in the "basic" rate). I just went to the autoeurope site (the one I usually use) and it states that liability is included. I'm pretty sure the other companies such as Hertz do the same. And I have also found that most "gold" credit cards (MC and VISA anyway) do cover you for damage and theft, even in Italy. In Italy it seems to be the rental companies that won't let you use your credit card coverage for theft. So if you pick up the car in a country,such as France or Germany, that does allow it and take the car into Italy, the credit card company assures me that it will cover you.

Carole,<BR>What "didn't work out" with Europe By Car and Renault, or was it the rate? Was the insurance not adequate? Thanks. Candy

I'm not familiar with Europe by car, but isn't that another lease plan? If so, like the Renault plan, it wouldn't work out because they have a 17 day minimum and Carole is talking about a 13 day rental.

Thanks, Patrick. Candy