Yet another Car Rental CDW
Mar 9th, 2007 | 08:15 AM
#42
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 10,623
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rs899
That is most interesting re the refundable excess. When I read the voucher it said only that "in the event the supplier charges you the excess amount on the vehicle AE will refund you providing you complete a police accident form..."
I always understood that it would cover the collision damage/excess regardless of who is at fault. Most strange.
This year, I'm back to a rental which excludes CDW, and I'm covering it on the CC, which one hopes will at least be straightforward.
Ain't insurance policies wonderful? As necessary as telephone directories, but about as interesting to read.
That is most interesting re the refundable excess. When I read the voucher it said only that "in the event the supplier charges you the excess amount on the vehicle AE will refund you providing you complete a police accident form..."
I always understood that it would cover the collision damage/excess regardless of who is at fault. Most strange.
This year, I'm back to a rental which excludes CDW, and I'm covering it on the CC, which one hopes will at least be straightforward.
Ain't insurance policies wonderful? As necessary as telephone directories, but about as interesting to read.
Mar 9th, 2007 | 08:42 AM
#43
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,863
Likes: 0
Sue
So ,are you an American who, in fact ,rented a car on the AE-UK side of the site, (and pulled it off without incident)?
My agent (Ivy)at Kemwel (who was also an AE agent)frowned upon my clandestine activities on the UK side of the AE website. But, I'm sure it would have worked, as long as I didn't prong the car later on.
Rick
So ,are you an American who, in fact ,rented a car on the AE-UK side of the site, (and pulled it off without incident)?
My agent (Ivy)at Kemwel (who was also an AE agent)frowned upon my clandestine activities on the UK side of the AE website. But, I'm sure it would have worked, as long as I didn't prong the car later on.
Rick
Mar 9th, 2007 | 08:51 AM
#44
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 10,623
Likes: 0
rick
I'm Canadian and when the time came to specify my country of origin on the actual page where I was making the contract (i.e. supplying cc details) I indicated Canada. So I told no fibs when it counted.
Personally, I think it's all marketing, and if I want to do business with a UK company and take the associated terms and pay in pounds instead of $CAN I have the right to make that choice. Certainly my credit card company seems to think so. This time, for example, I went through Kemwel and paid in $US, as that was the only choice offered. On the other hand, I support the vendor's right to sell to what the market will bear. It's just that the portion of the market known as Sue_xx_yy will not bear very much!
BTW the head office of auto-europe.co.uk is actually not in the UK at all but in Dublin, which thickens the plot again!
Side note: I didn't take the refundable excess (was feeling cavalier at the time, a rare condition for me
) but in hindsight being exposed to the deductible was not the smartest move I've ever made.
I'm Canadian and when the time came to specify my country of origin on the actual page where I was making the contract (i.e. supplying cc details) I indicated Canada. So I told no fibs when it counted.
Personally, I think it's all marketing, and if I want to do business with a UK company and take the associated terms and pay in pounds instead of $CAN I have the right to make that choice. Certainly my credit card company seems to think so. This time, for example, I went through Kemwel and paid in $US, as that was the only choice offered. On the other hand, I support the vendor's right to sell to what the market will bear. It's just that the portion of the market known as Sue_xx_yy will not bear very much!
BTW the head office of auto-europe.co.uk is actually not in the UK at all but in Dublin, which thickens the plot again!
Side note: I didn't take the refundable excess (was feeling cavalier at the time, a rare condition for me
) but in hindsight being exposed to the deductible was not the smartest move I've ever made.
Mar 9th, 2007 | 09:08 AM
#45
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,863
Likes: 0
Sue-
I'm not sure where the head office of AE-UK is, but my transaction was handled by their office in Portland, ME. I agree with your philosopy. Sorry to accuse you of being an American. I did as you, supplied my proper US address on the website AE-UK accepted the contract and sent me a voucher so shame on them if there are any hard feelings. If it weren't for the insurance issue, I would have gone ahead with the UK deal. I was willing to accept 565 pounds of risk in return for a savings of $160, but when I got the delta cost down to $25 , it was worth it to back out, get a car without CDW and cover it on my VISA cc.
Rick
I'm not sure where the head office of AE-UK is, but my transaction was handled by their office in Portland, ME. I agree with your philosopy. Sorry to accuse you of being an American. I did as you, supplied my proper US address on the website AE-UK accepted the contract and sent me a voucher so shame on them if there are any hard feelings. If it weren't for the insurance issue, I would have gone ahead with the UK deal. I was willing to accept 565 pounds of risk in return for a savings of $160, but when I got the delta cost down to $25 , it was worth it to back out, get a car without CDW and cover it on my VISA cc.
Rick
Mar 9th, 2007 | 09:17 AM
#46
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 10,623
Likes: 0
"Accuse" me of being an American??! Dare I say it, but some of my best friends are ....
Not to worry, the vast majority of people here are from the US. A quite understandable assumption on your part
Actually, I just checked and of late, under 'contact us' on the uk site they do indeed list the usual address in Portland, ME - which I believe is also not in the UK, the good people of the US having gone to some trouble to settle that point back in 1776.
Life is never simple. Officially, all car rental agencies will bend over backwards to say they don't actually sell insurance, just a 'waiver' etc. etc. I dunno, it gets all very technical. But you gotta pay attention, for as you know, the rule I believe under US consumer law, as here, is 'caveat emptor.'
Not to worry, the vast majority of people here are from the US. A quite understandable assumption on your part
Actually, I just checked and of late, under 'contact us' on the uk site they do indeed list the usual address in Portland, ME - which I believe is also not in the UK, the good people of the US having gone to some trouble to settle that point back in 1776.
Life is never simple. Officially, all car rental agencies will bend over backwards to say they don't actually sell insurance, just a 'waiver' etc. etc. I dunno, it gets all very technical. But you gotta pay attention, for as you know, the rule I believe under US consumer law, as here, is 'caveat emptor.'
Mar 9th, 2007 | 10:38 AM
#47
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 13,425
Likes: 0
Doug,
Amex premium car rental protection covers luxury vehicles up to the policy limits (see my posts above) for a per rental premium which is far less than what car rental companies charge for CDW.
It would also cost less than CDW from Travel Guard on rentals of 3 days or longer and has zero deductible and much higher coverage limits. Travel Guard's limit of $35,000 wouldn't cover that Mercedes, if totalled, either.
Amex premium car rental protection covers luxury vehicles up to the policy limits (see my posts above) for a per rental premium which is far less than what car rental companies charge for CDW.
It would also cost less than CDW from Travel Guard on rentals of 3 days or longer and has zero deductible and much higher coverage limits. Travel Guard's limit of $35,000 wouldn't cover that Mercedes, if totalled, either.
Mar 20th, 2007 | 07:47 AM
#48
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
I would like to ask Stu a Q 
about his experience and advice for AE rental:
Regarding the "contract". AE gives you a voucher, which you show to the Europcar people, and then they write a rental contract between you & Europcar. Several times, Europcar charged me some 'surprises" and I have ALWAYS been able to resolve them in my favor through AutoEurope. AutoEurope has electronic access to Europcar's final invoice to you.
Stu Dudley
I have reserved and prepaid for my rental in Italy for 30 days May-June'07, and since you have far more extensive experience with European/Italian rentals, please advise on any of those " hidden gotchas" that the rental counter agents attempt to add on. I understand that the road tax of 2 euros per day, max of 14-17 days is paid at the time of rental, but what else do I need to be aware of Stu??
Thank you!!
Michael
about his experience and advice for AE rental:Regarding the "contract". AE gives you a voucher, which you show to the Europcar people, and then they write a rental contract between you & Europcar. Several times, Europcar charged me some 'surprises" and I have ALWAYS been able to resolve them in my favor through AutoEurope. AutoEurope has electronic access to Europcar's final invoice to you.
Stu Dudley
I have reserved and prepaid for my rental in Italy for 30 days May-June'07, and since you have far more extensive experience with European/Italian rentals, please advise on any of those " hidden gotchas" that the rental counter agents attempt to add on. I understand that the road tax of 2 euros per day, max of 14-17 days is paid at the time of rental, but what else do I need to be aware of Stu??
Thank you!!
Michael
