Rental Car Tricks
Oct 17th, 2004, 05:55 PM
#22
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Insurance I can understand being different everywhere because you are actually purchasing something different everywhere. In NY you are buying coverage on colliding with thousands of vehicles that you come in contact with daily. In East Overshoe you might collide with Granny Smith or the postman.
But this was not insurance pricing that was higher depending on where you resided. The actually daily rate on the car went up by $77 a day. Clearly just a way to make sure that Bronx and Brooklyn residents do NOT rent a car.
But this was not insurance pricing that was higher depending on where you resided. The actually daily rate on the car went up by $77 a day. Clearly just a way to make sure that Bronx and Brooklyn residents do NOT rent a car.
Oct 18th, 2004, 12:52 PM
#23
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Hi, You didn't really get "scammed", and it was way out of line for you to suggest that people "...SHOULD decline insurance" (on rental cars).
Why wouldn't you use a credit card that covered the LDW FOR you and then not have this frustration?
And yes, of course they get commissions for selling the insurance.
Some people don't have their own personal vehicle, and thus no insurance, and for them it probably makes most sense to accept the supplementary liability (for $10-15 per day) and use a credit card that would cover the "LDW" in the event of an accident.
The only people who really know these answers are those who have ever been in an accident with a rental vehicle.
Why wouldn't you use a credit card that covered the LDW FOR you and then not have this frustration?
And yes, of course they get commissions for selling the insurance.
Some people don't have their own personal vehicle, and thus no insurance, and for them it probably makes most sense to accept the supplementary liability (for $10-15 per day) and use a credit card that would cover the "LDW" in the event of an accident.
The only people who really know these answers are those who have ever been in an accident with a rental vehicle.
Oct 21st, 2004, 10:08 AM
#25
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Everyone should call their own insurance and credit card companies to see what is covered and go from there. We decline everything in the US because we are covered. However, our own car insurance agent recommends that we get liability coverege in a foreign country. We are techincally covered but she said that if something happens, it is much easier to straighten it out with local coverege. We also always check to see if we can cross state lines with a rental car. That is not usually spelled out and you have to ask. We never get GPS but, aagin, if something happened, we want to be covered.
Another scam, IMO, is charging an extra driver charge for a spouse. I belong to all the major rental car cos. and some charge and some don't and some charge at certain locations but not others. This charge can add a substantial amount to the bottom line. Remember that only drivers who are on the contract are covered so consider this too when making your plans.
Another scam, IMO, is charging an extra driver charge for a spouse. I belong to all the major rental car cos. and some charge and some don't and some charge at certain locations but not others. This charge can add a substantial amount to the bottom line. Remember that only drivers who are on the contract are covered so consider this too when making your plans.
Oct 21st, 2004, 12:32 PM
#27
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Heads up on Utah as there is a "non-resident transportation tax" or something called close to that. Basically it is a tourist tax not shown until the final invoice. This tax is somewhere around $25/day and will almost double the cost of the rental. It does not show up on the online quote.
GPS in my rental?? Scary
GPS in my rental?? Scary
Oct 21st, 2004, 01:15 PM
#28
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I've been renting cars for business for years. One of the things I learned early on was that the so called budget rental car companies were very aggressive when it came to pressuring you to add extras or upgrades. They also seemed to run their cars much longer, and IMHO didn't maintain them as well.
I finally stopped renting from them and only rent from the three majors, Hertz, National and Avis. I also belong to each of their clubs, which makes renting particularly easy. I go on line, specify exactly what I want, decline all coverages, and put in whatever discount plan works best. When I arrive at the rental place, my paperwork is already done, the car is waiting and I simply get in and drive off. No hassles with counter clerks.
Last week I rented a full size car (a Ford Taurus) at the airport in D.C. for four days for $53, using a Costco discount. I rented it from Hertz and when the bus driver dropped me off the car was there, trunk open, paperwork inside. For convenience, you can't beat it.
I finally stopped renting from them and only rent from the three majors, Hertz, National and Avis. I also belong to each of their clubs, which makes renting particularly easy. I go on line, specify exactly what I want, decline all coverages, and put in whatever discount plan works best. When I arrive at the rental place, my paperwork is already done, the car is waiting and I simply get in and drive off. No hassles with counter clerks.
Last week I rented a full size car (a Ford Taurus) at the airport in D.C. for four days for $53, using a Costco discount. I rented it from Hertz and when the bus driver dropped me off the car was there, trunk open, paperwork inside. For convenience, you can't beat it.
Oct 21st, 2004, 01:36 PM
#29
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True, travelermebe, but what about those of us don't rent a car more than a couple of times a year?
I wrote an email to Dollar complaining about my experience in St. Louis (see above) and received a thoughtful and real (as opposed to corporate-speak) response. Also informing me that my upcoming rental in Boston was going to be the same deal -- franchise, no FastLane, counter and cars 1/2 mile from airport.
Just because they replied nicely I will keep my rez with them. What's the difference...sigh.
I wrote an email to Dollar complaining about my experience in St. Louis (see above) and received a thoughtful and real (as opposed to corporate-speak) response. Also informing me that my upcoming rental in Boston was going to be the same deal -- franchise, no FastLane, counter and cars 1/2 mile from airport.
Just because they replied nicely I will keep my rez with them. What's the difference...sigh.
Oct 21st, 2004, 01:55 PM
#30
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"Hi, You didn't really get "scammed", "
What do you call it then? Great salesmanship? Which rental car company do you work for?
I use rental cars a lot: 80% business and 20% personal and I've notice an increasing pushiness in counter-clerks at all of the vendors--cheap or even Hertz and Avis, for which my company gets discounts.
Last time I rented it was Hertz where I used my company account although it was personal reasons thus I had to pay back the charges.
Notwithstanding that my company REQUIRES that I decline liability (apparently they're covered through their travel agent or whatever) I got the same song and dance.
1) Do you want an upgrade for $10/day
me: no
2) Which insurance do you want; full or basic?
me: none, I decline all insurance
3) Sir we highly recommend that you take out at least the basic coverage
me: This is a company account and they require me to decline...I am covered under a separate policy
4) No you are not.
me: Are you going to give me the car or not?
5) Ok, but we do recommend some separate coverage
me: Point taken but I still decline. Where do I sign and where are the keys?
6) Let's see we're doing the upgrade to full-size for....
me: We're not doing an upgrade, I arranged the car with a travel service and I handed you the exact specifications.
7) Would you like to take advantage of our fuel servi...
me: No, I prefer to fill it myself.
8) But we do it cheaper...
me: Just let me sign and get the keys, there is a line behind me.
5 years ago I would never have had this conversation...its really getting ridiculous.
What do you call it then? Great salesmanship? Which rental car company do you work for?
I use rental cars a lot: 80% business and 20% personal and I've notice an increasing pushiness in counter-clerks at all of the vendors--cheap or even Hertz and Avis, for which my company gets discounts.
Last time I rented it was Hertz where I used my company account although it was personal reasons thus I had to pay back the charges.
Notwithstanding that my company REQUIRES that I decline liability (apparently they're covered through their travel agent or whatever) I got the same song and dance.
1) Do you want an upgrade for $10/day
me: no
2) Which insurance do you want; full or basic?
me: none, I decline all insurance
3) Sir we highly recommend that you take out at least the basic coverage
me: This is a company account and they require me to decline...I am covered under a separate policy
4) No you are not.
me: Are you going to give me the car or not?
5) Ok, but we do recommend some separate coverage
me: Point taken but I still decline. Where do I sign and where are the keys?
6) Let's see we're doing the upgrade to full-size for....
me: We're not doing an upgrade, I arranged the car with a travel service and I handed you the exact specifications.
7) Would you like to take advantage of our fuel servi...
me: No, I prefer to fill it myself.
8) But we do it cheaper...
me: Just let me sign and get the keys, there is a line behind me.
5 years ago I would never have had this conversation...its really getting ridiculous.
Oct 21st, 2004, 08:55 PM
#31
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That's classic, NYJets. Thank you for relaying those details. It reinforces a similar conversation we recently had at the rental counter. Sometimes, I think I'd rather have my appendix removed with a spork than deal with the personnel at the auto rental counters.
Some say that the art of business is separating the customer from their money - and having the customer thank you. Not sure I buy into this.
Some say that the art of business is separating the customer from their money - and having the customer thank you. Not sure I buy into this.
Oct 22nd, 2004, 10:56 AM
#33
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Having been a little lax in resisting supplimental insurance last year on a trip to Utah via Vegas, I checked out what my auto insurance company and my visa signature platinum covered and found out that, other than my normal dedictible, I was covered for every eventuality including "loss of use" which isd where they "tripped me up" the last time around. I was renting from a different company this time (Alamo based solely on price). We were renting an SUV.
Before leaving I printed out the CC insurance info to defend my position to the car rental agent.
There I was all braced for the ordeal and the agent simply asked me if I need any supplimental coverage and I said that I wanted to "decline anything extra" since I was already covered by my own insurance. That was it. The agreement was printed out and exactly matched the price I'd gotten online at their website (where I'd made my reservation). I didn't spend a lot of time looking at the rental agreement and, when I returned the Jeep Liberty 12 days later my final bill exactly matched the agreement.
Perhaps the ease of the initial transaction was due to the long line waiting for a rental agent.
Whatever it was, it was the easiest time I've ever had renting a car anywhere. The Jeep ran fine too...even on all the 4WD roads we explored in the wilds of Utah ;>)
Before leaving I printed out the CC insurance info to defend my position to the car rental agent.
There I was all braced for the ordeal and the agent simply asked me if I need any supplimental coverage and I said that I wanted to "decline anything extra" since I was already covered by my own insurance. That was it. The agreement was printed out and exactly matched the price I'd gotten online at their website (where I'd made my reservation). I didn't spend a lot of time looking at the rental agreement and, when I returned the Jeep Liberty 12 days later my final bill exactly matched the agreement.
Perhaps the ease of the initial transaction was due to the long line waiting for a rental agent.
Whatever it was, it was the easiest time I've ever had renting a car anywhere. The Jeep ran fine too...even on all the 4WD roads we explored in the wilds of Utah ;>)
Oct 23rd, 2004, 11:58 AM
#35
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Just love reading these posts...especially of the uninformed.
READ THE CONTRACT....Go to rental agency website and read what is covered and not covered....the same goes for the credit card companies, and you insurance policies.
YES, it is complex and confusing. And would agree there is not enough customer information on this subject.
Generally, speaking; Your personal insurance coverage is usually "primary", and the credit card coverage "secondary".
With LDW, the loss of the physical auto is covered, liabilty is still at risk. And, LDW will lessen the "paperwork" of working with your insurance company and the rental company. Expensive, yes, but, sometimes cheap for the piece of mind it can provide. You have to decide.
(Have had loss with LDW coverage)
READ THE CONTRACT....Go to rental agency website and read what is covered and not covered....the same goes for the credit card companies, and you insurance policies.
YES, it is complex and confusing. And would agree there is not enough customer information on this subject.
Generally, speaking; Your personal insurance coverage is usually "primary", and the credit card coverage "secondary".
With LDW, the loss of the physical auto is covered, liabilty is still at risk. And, LDW will lessen the "paperwork" of working with your insurance company and the rental company. Expensive, yes, but, sometimes cheap for the piece of mind it can provide. You have to decide.
(Have had loss with LDW coverage)
