We rented a car recently and thought we were so lucky to get a *brand new* vehicle. It only had 2 miles on the odometer. However, we realized the importance of a break-in period for a new car. After traveling about 300 miles, we started having problems -- the "door ajar" warning light on the dashboard would not go off, the power window and power door lock on the door that was supposedly ajar would not work, the interior lights would not shut off (because the car thought a door was still open), and I can't remember what else. I think everything could be traced to a single faulty sensor, and the problems were mainly annoyances. <BR> <BR>But I will never take a brand-new car when I rent. <BR>

Might be a good idea to ask EXACTLY what happens if you have mechanical problems with a car. Picked up a Hertz car at Logan/Boston. (The first car they offered us had an engine light that stayed on!) Part of our trip was a stay on Martha's Vineyard. We had car problems while on the island &amp; discovered that even though there is a Hertz agency on the island, we could not exchange our "broken" car as they do not allow cars rented on the island to leave the island. Hertz did not offer to provide us a car to drive while on the island. All we got from "John" at corporate was that it was our responsibility to have the car towed to Hyannis airport where we could pick up another car. We spent our time on Martha's Vineyard using public transportation. We could take advantage of our AAA card, but imagine getting a car towed onto the ferry &amp; to Hyannis--not fun!

Some credit cards do insure your rental car when you charge rental fees on them, but I believe that many of them will only cover collision. That means they will reimburse you for any damage to the vehicle, however, will not cover you for any injuries which may occur. I've been told that some car insurance companies will provide additional insurance for rentals for an extra fee, however, you must advise them each time you rent. I've never checked out this option, but hopefully it's cheaper than the $9.95 per day that most rental companies charge for their basic insurance. <BR><BR>Two months ago when we were in Maui, the Alamo rented us a car using one of those fast pick up procedures. Unfortunately, the procedure did not involve checking out the vehicle with us before leaving the lot. I know we should have asked them to go outside and examine the car with us, but since it was 9:30 p.m., we didn't think about it. When we returned the car, they wanted to charge us for a giant dent on the bumper that was there when we picked it up. They told us that we should have informed someone about the dent. So the next time we rented from them, we made the person at the exit gate write all of the defects down on our contract and initial it.

After having a convertible top slashed in Hawaii ..we learned all about insurance including lossof use while the car is being repaired.<BR><BR>The credit card company pays the deductible after any additional insurance coverage. This means that the claim was paid by our own auto insurance and the credit card paid the deductible( and anything that our auto insurance wouldnt cover).<BR><BR>The car rental company( National expects to be paid the lost revenue while the car is being repaired and even a charge for administrative paperwork.

As an insurance agent I can tell you a couple of things to consider. The insurance they offer at the rental counter is outragously expensive. Plus, most rental agencies have clauses in them that give them BIG outs in case of a claim...such as you have to be on a road with street lights or if accident happens on private property, they won't pay. If you already have auto insurance on you vehicles, sometimes that coverage extends to rentals..BUT BE CAREFUL! Most of them extend the liability coverage, but NOT the collision or loss of rental income that the rental agencies like to charge you for while their rental is being repaired. Travelers Insurance Company is the only exception..if you have a fully comprehensive policy with them that includes comprehensive, collision, and rental car reimbursemet, they will cover the rental car. So the bottom line is to check with your local agent. If you've bought insurance online, or through one of the substandard carriers such as Progressive or Direct...you probably out of luck.

Been: Can you expand on your last comment that the car rental company expected to be paid the lost revenue while the car was being repaired?<BR><BR>Anyone: So what exactly happens if you have an accident with a rental car and you waived the additional collosion insurance with the rental agency because you are covered under your own car insurance (as a primary) and also by a credit card insurance (as a secondary)? I usually do waive the extra insurance, but have never had an accident to know how this is handled. Would I have to come up with a way to cover the damages and then file claim and get reimbursed from insurance company; or does the car rental agency deal directly with my insurance company (as would normally happen if I had an accident with my car)? <BR><BR>Note: I ask this question specifically for renting cars in the U.S. I realize that renting outside the U.S. brings is different. For example, the rental agreement/policy for Budget in Grand Cayman specified that any damages had to be settled before leaving the island ... thereby resulting in my charge card being charged for the amount of damage and then I would have to file a claim and get reimbursement from my credit card insurance ... and who knows if the insurance company would agree with the amount of damages that I would have been assessed! So when out of the country I usually opt for the extra insurance to avoid any headaches.

Actually, Travelers' Insurance is not the only insurance company whose auto policy will cover your rental car. I called my insurance company, 21st Century, out of curiosity to see how much additional rental car insurance would cost. They advised me that I am covered for rental cars in the U.S. and Canada and the coverage is exactly the same when I rent a car. I'm glad to know now, but sorry that i've been paying for all that additional coverage at the car rental place. Funny but I read my policy cover to cover and for some reason thought it was excluded. Seems it's covered as an additional insured automobile?

I use Nationwide, and a call this afternoon to the broker revealed that I'm covered in a rental car. The only exclusion is that if you crack up the rental car, the company will bill you for loss of usage, which can add up. Personally, I'll take my chances there.<BR><BR>My agent also said you should come prepared with your policy number, because the car rental company wants it when you rent the car. Frankly, I think she's wrong about that. Does anyone know?