I will be traveling Ireland in June. We will be renting a car and was wondering if anyone unfortunately had the experience of using the insurance furnished by their MasterCard. <BR>Is it ok or worth it to go ahead and buy it from the rental agency? <BR>Just covering all ends --- Thanks Keith <BR>

Keith, <BR>I have no experience with MasterCard but do with American Express insurance coverage which was painless and almost paperless. Amex does not insure autos in Ireland or Italy. Do recognize that in most instances credit card insurance is secondary to your regular auto insurance for personal cars. You might confirm with your insurance agent that you'll be covered while driving in Ireland.

Wes -- a follow-up question. Typically we have relied on AEX coverage, and I am aware that their coverage is "secondary." However, my State Farm agent says that State Farm coverage does not extend to rentals outside the US (and possibly Canada). So, I have assumed that the AEX coverage is, in effect, "primary" when I've used it in Europe. Any opinions on whether I am reasonably well covered or completely vulnerable this way? Any recommendations?

By all means call your credit company directly! I have used my platinum VISA every time when renting overseas and have had excellent results. (Even when crashing my rented Mercedes) You'll need to tell them which countries you'll be in, etc. but the credit card company (NOT the company that issues the card) is best source of real answers.

My VISA provider just sent me a new service summary informing that starting March 1, 1999, no rental insurance coverage is available in IRELAND, how interesting... <BR> <BR>I have a question for turnip: I have read the description of rental insurance policy provided by the credit card company many time over. It looks like if there is a claim, my card get hit with a breathtaking charge during the trip, then after I submit the claim, I get eventually credited back by the insurance. Is that how it worked for your Mercedes? <BR> <BR>

Greg, <BR> <BR>We never saw any charges, thankfully. We did have to fill out some paperwork for the woman who's garage we struck, and another short form when returning to the airport, but no problems to speak of. The company we've used for every trip Budget/Sixt has been nothing but great. Excellent rates, helpful employees (even in France) and always the car we were promised. Hope this answers your question...

I have recently looked into car rentals for Ireland. I was curious about the collision insurance. I called my mastercard and Amex Corp card companies. They both cover collision outside the U.S. On a side note, I found the best rental rates from a company called AutoEurope (1800-223-5555). I have compared the rates with Hertz, Budget, Dan Dooley's (NOVA) and Europebycar.com and AutoEurope by far was the best inclusive rates. Good Luck.

Dear Keith, <BR> <BR>I will be traveling to Ireland in May. My research found that Amex does NOT cover Ireland, nor does VISA for any car rental booked after March 1. I was booking with AutoEurope through my travel agency prior to the deadline, BUT AutoEurope would not charge my card the full amount, only a deposit. Therefor VISA would NOT cover CDW. I ended up purchasing CDW through my travel agency at $5.00 per day. <BR>

Just today I researched CDW coverage and car rental rates in Ireland for April. AutoEurope came in almost $200 lower than Dan Dooley for a 14 day midsize automatic transmission rental. Diners Club cards do provide primary CDW coverage in Ireland. I called their Customer Service Center and spoke to two different agents, just to be sure. However, it might need to be a gold or platinum card to qualify; I'm not sure (it's my husband's company card and he's not here right now.) Buying the CDW would have added $150 to the AutoEurop rate I got. <BR>Does anyone know why most of the credit cards are excluding Ireland from their CDW coverage? <BR>

I was told by an employee of Dan Dooley that as far as they know, only Visa Gold and Diner's Club provide coverage in Ireland

Visa advised me that they do NOT cover Ireland after 3/1/99. I have Visa GOLD and they still say they do not cover Ireland. <BR>

Same here. After reading numerous conflicting replies regarding collision coverage and VISA, I called my VISA provider. They said oh sure we still cover Ireland. I kept pursuing and finally reached a VISA administration customer service rep. and she said absolutely not, as of March 1 we do not provide the collision insurance in Ireland. She said the banks will tell you anything. Not very comforting is it? It almost seems a bit "fraudish". <BR>Anyway for what is worth, we will be purchasing the collision ins. from the rental company.

As of mid-March, MasterCard's MasterRental coverage provides collision insurance in Ireland (unlike Visa and American Express, which do not cover vehicles in Ireland anymore) when the company you are renting from allows you to decline CDW insurance as part of the agreement, the rental lasts for no more than 15 days, and you rent a vehicle type not excluded (SUVs, trucks, luxury cars, etc.). The coverage is primary for collision damage and theft outside the USA. Note you will still buy "third party insurance", fire, and public liability insurance from the rental agency. <BR> <BR>Here is my best advice: Before assuming your card will provide you coverage due to literature you've received in the past from your credit card company, call MasterCard, Visa, American Express,etc., directly (DON'T CALL THE ISSUING BANK!) to request the latest version of that literature and then read the fine print well before you make your reservation!

We rented a car in Ireland in April. After reading the comments here about Visa no longer covering collision insurance, I called our Citibank Visa card company and they said that Citibank Visas still covered it. When we went to rent the car, the car rental agent showed us a letter he had saying that Visa no longer was accepted for coverage. I had the Citibank phone no. but it was 4AM NY time and they weren't available. Consequently we had to purchase the rental company's insurance. When I got home I called Citibank, and they said they did still cover it but no rental agency was obligated to accept it. They did say that in the future they could provide me with a written statement saying they would provide coverage.

Fran, <BR>Could you tell me how much the insurance costs? We're trying to budget for our trip in a couple of weeks. <BR> <BR>Thanks <BR>--julie

I have also researched the insurance--and were told by bank that VISA covers it only to be told (twice) by VISA that they have discontinued it. Master Card (three calls) still will cover Ireland.If you buy insurance from the rental agency is is almost $20 per day for collision and theft insurance. Hertz assured me I can decline CDW and use the Master Card insurance. Any experience with this???

As soon as I saw it suggested to contact MC direct - I did just that (I did not realize the bank and MC don't work together to give you a straight answer. I guess that would be too easy) A 10 minute phone call with MC solved 6 calls, two days of run around and 20 different answers by my issuing bank!

Sherry: <BR> <BR>I was also told that I had to pay the full amount of the rental to get insurance with my citibank visa. <BR> <BR>If I pay the deposit to Autoeurope and then pay the remainder at pickup with the same card I'm assuming this meets their requirements.

Does anyone know if the rental insurance offered by the rental agency covers only 1 driver? Is it that much extra to have more than one insured driver?

Keith: <BR> <BR>You didn't say what MC's reply was. Will they cover collision/theft/3rd party liability etc? <BR> <BR>Thanks for the info on AutoEurope. I just called them and got much better rates than any other agency.