Hertz - European Insurance Coverage Options

Can anyone tell me what I have to loose or gain if I exempt my rental in Germany of insurance (suprisingly the option exists)? Am I covered through my AMEX or what kind of coverage will I have?
Thanks for your input http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif.
BT

I am curious as what other people have found? I will be using my Diners.

I can only report about car rentals with my LH SEN Visa Card, which includes full insurance coverage on any car rental (comprehensive collision coverage). Therefore, I always exclude insurance on my rentals, which safes quite a lot of money. (approx. 20 EUR/day)

No experience on other CC. sorry!

Cheers,

Max!

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by back seat:
I am curious as what other people have found? I will be using my Diners.</font>

I just spoke to Diners last night about this for my trip next week to Germany. They will cover up to a Mercedes C class only (full/standard size) Anything above that and you will need the CDW from the rental company or your own auto insurance. Best to check with your auto insurer to make sure that they don't have any exclusions either.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Big Top:
Can anyone tell me what I have to loose or gain if I exempt my rental in Germany of insurance (suprisingly the option exists)? Am I covered through my AMEX or what kind of coverage will I have?
Thanks for your input http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif.
BT</font>

Amex does not cover your car rental insurance outside the US

[This message has been edited by jimc_usa (edited 06-21-2003).]

[This message has been edited by jimc_usa (edited 06-21-2003).]

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by jimc_usa:
Amex does not cover your car rental insurance outside the US</font>

Unless you call them up and ask them about the international renter program.. It's something like $20 a rental or something, automatically charged to your card when you make a car rental. Has saved me hundreds of dollars in insurance fees since they're often way over $20 a DAY in europe.

I just called Amex (have a Starwood Amex card). The CSR put me through to the Insurance desk who assured me that I was fully covered for all risks for all losses (except liability) for rentals in Europe.

Only countries excluded were Ireland, Northern Ireland, Australia, Jamaica,
Israel and Italy.

Except Liability. Small words but major problem. When I rented a car in Britain with my Diner's, I was politely informed that I would still have to purchase liability insurance. There is no option for NA renters. Apparently in Britain, at least this is what I was told, unlimited liability insurance is required and unless you can provide written proof that your cc or insurance will cover this, you have to buy their liability insurance. Quite the minor detail especially since it was 10 GBP per day! It almost doubled the cost of my rental. So, check it out before you get over there and have a not so pleasant surprise. Robert.

For the record - here is all the small print...

----------------excerpt----------------
Thank you for your recent inquiry regarding the American Express Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance Program. As requested, we have enclosed a Description of Coverage which fully explains the benefits and restrictions of this program. We recommend that you read all of the information, however, highlights of the program are noted below:

Use your eligible American Express Card to reserve and pay for the entire rental
Decline the car rental company's Collision Damage Waiver and Theft Protection
There is no liability coverage provided with your American Express Card
American Express provides Excess coverage to all other insurance policies
There is no coverage provided for vehicles rented in Australia, New Zealand, Italy, Ireland, Israel and Jamaica
Coverage is provided for vehicles rented for 30 consecutive days or less
There is no coverage provided for Loss of Use or Loss of Revenue
The Card member must be the primary renter of the vehicle
All additional drivers must be listed on the rental agreement
Cargo Vans, Custom Vans, Pick-up Trucks and moving vans such as U-hauls are not covered
Compact Sport Utility vehicles are covered, however, there is no coverage provided for full size sport utility vehicles such as a Ford Expedition
Please retain this information for future reference.
------------------end of excerpt---------

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by greatwhitenorth:
Except Liability. Small words but major problem. When I rented a car in Britain with my Diner's, I was politely informed that I would still have to purchase liability insurance. There is no option for NA renters. Apparently in Britain, at least this is what I was told, unlimited liability insurance is required and unless you can provide written proof that your cc or insurance will cover this, you have to buy their liability insurance. Quite the minor detail especially since it was 10 GBP per day! It almost doubled the cost of my rental. So, check it out before you get over there and have a not so pleasant surprise. Robert.</font>

It's a nice scam they have going there....for years people have used their AMEX to cover the CDW (as confirmed in this thread, AMEX DOES cover this, in fact it is a major reason for many people to keep their AMEX cards)......so they started tacking on a compulsory liability charge in the UK....

The answer ? simply book it online with #1 Club Gold and make sure your profile is set to decline all insurances...then grab your keys and off you go...works a charm http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by greatwhitenorth:
Except Liability. Small words but major problem. When I rented a car in Britain with my Diner's, I was politely informed that I would still have to purchase liability insurance. </font>

I checked with Diner's for my upcoming rental in Germany and they said they don't cover Liability on any size. My auto insurance said they won't touch overseas Liability either so we have to take it for 9 Euros per day.

Alas, Diners not covering CDW,Liability or Theft insurance on an E class Mercedes has started to drive up the price of the rental so much that I have changed my reservation back to C class which is covered except for the Liability. I can't even accept an upgrade unless I am willing to pay for all of the extra insurance http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif

Thanks for the heads up on this one. Better safe than sorry http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Is AMEX coverage as described above included no matter what AMEX card you use? (e.g., Delta Platinum SkyMiles, regular green card)

Actually your best bet is to go to a car rental agency off airport (use their shuttle)
You will still pay liablity, but no airport charges and usually half the rental price

http://www.bcvr.co.uk/
http://www2.holidayautos.co.uk/GBR/home.html
make sure all charges are included -
you usually pay for the full tank up front and return it empty

Why would anyone want to save money by not buying liability insurance???? Your US auto policy most likely will not cover any liability outside of the US or Canada.

No liability - no protection of your assets. Doesn't matter that your assests are here - they are still at risk.

http://www.autoeurope.com/

I did a lot of investigating prior to a recent car rental in Mexico. I ended up declining both collision and liability coverage. As others have noted, collision coverage is often provided by your credit card (subject to the litany of exclusions listed by others, above). Liability coverage, in my case, came from the umbrella liability policy I hold in conjuction with my car insurance and tenant's insurance. Most insurance companies recommend their customers hold umbrella liability coverage just for the everyday events that sometimes invade our lives, like at-fault car accidents or newspaper boys tripping over a garden hose on your property. I'd recommend confirming with your own insurance policy to verify the terms of any umbrella liability policy you might hold, but in my case, the umbrella policy covers me and my husband for liability related to all sorts of things including international car rentals.

Also be aware, AMX insurance will not pick up the bill for lost of use, towing, and administration fee which Hertz (or other car rental company) may bill you.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by cattle:
Alas, Diners not covering CDW,Liability or Theft insurance on an E class Mercedes has started to drive up the price of the rental so much that I have changed my reservation back to C class which is covered except for the Liability. I can't even accept an upgrade unless I am willing to pay for all of the extra insurance http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif
</font>

I called Diners Club and I asked them if I could rent a Mercedes with my Maple Leaf Lounge Card and they said yes... just as long it's not a Van or a Truck. And they would cover the CDW and LDW while I'm renting it next summer.

But here's my question, let's say I rent a car from Frankfurt... can I take it to Paris, Amsterdam and Brussels?


[This message has been edited by GOODFELA (edited 10-04-2003).]