We just realized that Statefarm doesnt cover auto accidents in Europe...can someone suggest what the best way would be to cover a car rental while in Europe.

If you get auto insurance through the car rental company, it is really expensice (<$50/day). Is there a company in the US that would offer foreign car insurance? We would really like to rent a car to travel across Europe.

Thanks!

no

Having been in the insurance business for several decades e17345, I feel 100% sure you will not find any insurance carrier in the US that will cover you for a rental car in Europe while you are on vacation.

So would you suggest to simply buy it through the rental car? Are there any Europian insurance companies that would offer 2 week insurance rates????

Pardon me if I am asking silly questions. This is my first trip to Europe...

Thanks!

You credit card will cover you in many countries. But not in some - so where are you traveling?

Yes; go to insuremytrip.com and buy travel insurance that includes car rentals.

I just reserved a car with Kemwel and they wanted 5 euros a day for full CDW and theft protection. I never buy that coverage in USA but always in Europe. I cannot imagine trying to cope in a foreign language with reports and trying to come up with payment in foreign currency. I find peice of mind doing this, others probably feel it is a waste of money. If you purchase a car for european delivery, it will come with european insurance for whatever length of time you spend there, for most people 2 weeks is their time frame

Well I went to Insure My Trip and yes, they do offer polices that cover for collision and/or loss...but I did not find any policy that covered for Bodily Injury (BI) and Property Damage (PD) which is the most important if one is driving and either injures or kills someone (and is at fault) or damages someones property (be it another auto, a fence, a power pole, a house etc). But perhaps there is coverage available, but I again I sure could not find it.

e17345, my strong suggestion would be this; talk to the insurance company that covers you for automobile insurance in the US. Talk to the credit card company whose credit card you will be using to rent an auto in Europe. Document everything they say (write down the date, time and the name of the person you talked to and exactly what they said.

Then check out the requirements of the company you will be renting the rental car from (which will also involve the country's requirements..or in your case several countries).

Also, if you will be in Italy it is a legal requirement that you have an International Drivers Permit. Probably the auto rental company will not ask to see it BUT if for any reason you are stopped by a law enforcement officer in Italy (think also Austria but not sure about Austria) and you do not have the IDP you can receive a big fine. To get the International Drivers Permit you can go to your nearest AAA office (you do NOT have to be a member of AAA). The cost is about $10.00 per person. You will need a passport size photo..they will take that for about an additional $10.00 per person.

The IDP is NOT a drivers license. You must take your US Drivers License to Europe with you. The IDP merely translates your US Drivers License info into something like ten plus languages.

Again, keep in mind that are several segments of auto insurance. The Bodily Injury and Property Damage (which is the liability portion) and the Comprehensive (broken windshield, fire, vandalism etc.) and collision, damage to the auto due to the auto striking "something" or being hit by something". Best wishes to you.

Hi e,

When you rent a car in Europe, you will have 3rd party liability covering the other car and its occupants paid for by the rental company.

In some countries your credit card company will cover you if you **decline** the CDW. Check with them as to what is offered. Usually it is for the car only.

Some countries require CDW. Here you will have a liability. You can buy SuperCDW that reduces that liability.

In any event, damage to tires, glass, undercarriage usually won't be covered.

This entire subject seems to get discussed at lenght about 3-4 times each month. Click on my name to find some of the past discussions. There is much more info on provious threads than has been discussed here so far.

I spend 2 months in Europe every year - usually renting 2 to 4 cars. I mainly travel in France & Italy, but have also been to England, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, and Spain. I never buy insurance (except when I rent a car in Italy) - I let my CC cover it. You are likely to get better insurance (at zero cost) through your CC than you will get from a rental broker like AutoEurope or a rental agency like Hertz.

Stu Dudley