Alamo Playing Hardball With No CDW w/Accident
Nov 13, 2016, 8:11 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2009
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Alamo Playing Hardball With No CDW w/Accident
I rented from Alamo last week at MCO. I have a Diners Club Card which provides primary collision coverage. When I didn't accept their CDW, they said that since FL is a no-fault state, they would have to file through my primary insurer (not sure what no-fault had to do with it, since I have rented numerous times with numerous renters and never had an issue with this). I guess you know how this turns out, I rear-ended somebody in TPA and swapped the car out there. Before they would let me take a different car, they charged my $500 collision deductible from my primary insurer, even though I wasn't going through them (though they will be involved with the person that I hit). The supervisor in TPA said that they don't work with Diners Club because it takes to long to settle, they will work through USAA.
Has anybody ever had an issue like this with Alamo? I had an accident in LAS with National and there was never an issue. Kind of funny that in MCO, they said it was because FL was a no-fault state, but at TPA, they said it was because DC took too long to settle.
Has anybody ever had an issue like this with Alamo? I had an accident in LAS with National and there was never an issue. Kind of funny that in MCO, they said it was because FL was a no-fault state, but at TPA, they said it was because DC took too long to settle.
Last edited by zdcatc12; Nov 13, 2016 at 8:34 am Reason: Changed to DC to Diners Club
Nov 13, 2016, 8:28 am
#3
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Nov 13, 2016, 8:40 am
#4
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Join Date: Aug 2010
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DC is generally the District of Columbia. Never heard of it referring to a credit card. But, thanks for the explanation.
As to Alamo, it is not play "hardball" at all. You declined the CDW and are on your own. Period. It actually has nothing to do with no-fault or Diners Club (and there is nobody working at a local car rental place who has a clue how insurance works, they just enter information into databases), it simply has to do with a corporate-level decision to pursue individuals and let them bear the burden of waiting out reimbursements.
Generally speaking, you are on the hook personally for 100% of the damage and may then collect from whatever insurance you may have. As a practical matter, Alamo processes the paperwork because it is more efficient and gets things done better and faster. But, if there are glitches, it won't be bothered as it was not here.
As to Alamo, it is not play "hardball" at all. You declined the CDW and are on your own. Period. It actually has nothing to do with no-fault or Diners Club (and there is nobody working at a local car rental place who has a clue how insurance works, they just enter information into databases), it simply has to do with a corporate-level decision to pursue individuals and let them bear the burden of waiting out reimbursements.
Generally speaking, you are on the hook personally for 100% of the damage and may then collect from whatever insurance you may have. As a practical matter, Alamo processes the paperwork because it is more efficient and gets things done better and faster. But, if there are glitches, it won't be bothered as it was not here.
Nov 13, 2016, 2:18 pm
#5
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I rented from Alamo last week at MCO. I have a Diners Club Card which provides primary collision coverage. When I didn't accept their CDW, they said that since FL is a no-fault state, they would have to file through my primary insurer (not sure what no-fault had to do with it, since I have rented numerous times with numerous renters and never had an issue with this). I guess you know how this turns out, I rear-ended somebody in TPA and swapped the car out there. Before they would let me take a different car, they charged my $500 collision deductible from my primary insurer, even though I wasn't going through them (though they will be involved with the person that I hit). The supervisor in TPA said that they don't work with Diners Club because it takes to long to settle, they will work through USAA.
Has anybody ever had an issue like this with Alamo? I had an accident in LAS with National and there was never an issue. Kind of funny that in MCO, they said it was because FL was a no-fault state, but at TPA, they said it was because DC took too long to settle.
Has anybody ever had an issue like this with Alamo? I had an accident in LAS with National and there was never an issue. Kind of funny that in MCO, they said it was because FL was a no-fault state, but at TPA, they said it was because DC took too long to settle.
Your challenge at this point will be to obtain the type of documentation that DC requires to pay out on your claim. Your primary insurer may have to supply DC with that material, assuming that Alamo has supplied it to your insurer.
Suggest you initiate a claim with DC immediately, letting them no what has transpired; and contact your auto insurance company too, to let them know that you have primary coverage with DC for the damage to the Alamo rental.
For the benefit of the other posters: Historically, the standard abbreviations for credit cards were AX, CB, DC, MC, and VA.
Nov 13, 2016, 7:03 pm
#7
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Paradise
Posts: 1,617
Back on topic, to the OP I see 2 things amiss here.
1) Most people who use Alamo, skips the counter. Why didn't you?
2) I agree with another poster. How did Alamo come to possess your personal insurance information? I've rented from Alamo multiple times in Florida and never received a speech when declining their insurance.
Nov 13, 2016, 7:13 pm
#8
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2009
Location: SAT
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How did Alamo learn the name of your primary insurer?
Your challenge at this point will be to obtain the type of documentation that DC requires to pay out on your claim. Your primary insurer may have to supply DC with that material, assuming that Alamo has supplied it to your insurer.
Suggest you initiate a claim with DC immediately, letting them no what has transpired; and contact your auto insurance company too, to let them know that you have primary coverage with DC for the damage to the Alamo rental.
For the benefit of the other posters: Historically, the standard abbreviations for credit cards were AX, CB, DC, MC, and VA.
Your challenge at this point will be to obtain the type of documentation that DC requires to pay out on your claim. Your primary insurer may have to supply DC with that material, assuming that Alamo has supplied it to your insurer.
Suggest you initiate a claim with DC immediately, letting them no what has transpired; and contact your auto insurance company too, to let them know that you have primary coverage with DC for the damage to the Alamo rental.
For the benefit of the other posters: Historically, the standard abbreviations for credit cards were AX, CB, DC, MC, and VA.
Back on topic, to the OP I see 2 things amiss here.
1) Most people who use Alamo, skips the counter. Why didn't you?
2) I agree with another poster. How did Alamo come to possess your personal insurance information? I've rented from Alamo multiple times in Florida and never received a speech when declining their insurance.
2) They made we when they filled out the report or I wouldn't get another car. I guess that I could have declined and rented with someone else. I had never received a speech either--until now. The agent was probably pissed that she wasn't getting a commission on the LDW charge.
Nov 13, 2016, 10:16 pm
#9
Join Date: Mar 2011
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I recently rented from an Alamo US location that does not offer "skip the counter." I've rented there many times before.
This time, when I declined all of the coverages, they wanted my insurance information. I too have a card that provides for primary damage coverage and when I noted that to the employee he said, "I see that, I will notate that, but I still need to know your insurer and your deductible."
I told him as this is something Enterprise often asks and I know they cross employees, but it was the first time I was asked for this information at Alamo anywhere, and like I said, I have rented from this location many times before.
I would agree to file a claim with the credit card company immediately. Make it clear to your auto insurer that the damage to the rental vehicle will be charged through the credit card coverage but the damage to the other car, liability, etc. can go through their claims process.
This time, when I declined all of the coverages, they wanted my insurance information. I too have a card that provides for primary damage coverage and when I noted that to the employee he said, "I see that, I will notate that, but I still need to know your insurer and your deductible."
I told him as this is something Enterprise often asks and I know they cross employees, but it was the first time I was asked for this information at Alamo anywhere, and like I said, I have rented from this location many times before.
I would agree to file a claim with the credit card company immediately. Make it clear to your auto insurer that the damage to the rental vehicle will be charged through the credit card coverage but the damage to the other car, liability, etc. can go through their claims process.
Nov 14, 2016, 5:25 am
#10
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2009
Location: SAT
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I recently rented from an Alamo US location that does not offer "skip the counter."
This time, when I declined all of the coverages, they wanted my insurance information. I too have a card that provides for primary damage coverage and when I noted that to the employee he said, "I see that, I will notate that, but I still need to know your insurer and your deductible."
I told him as this is something Enterprise often asks and I know they cross employees, but it was the first time I was asked for this information at Alamo anywhere, and like I said, I have rented from this location many times before.
I would agree to file a claim with the credit card company immediately. Make it clear to your auto insurer that the damage to the rental vehicle will be charged through the credit card coverage but the damage to the other car, liability, etc. can go through their claims process.
This time, when I declined all of the coverages, they wanted my insurance information. I too have a card that provides for primary damage coverage and when I noted that to the employee he said, "I see that, I will notate that, but I still need to know your insurer and your deductible."
I told him as this is something Enterprise often asks and I know they cross employees, but it was the first time I was asked for this information at Alamo anywhere, and like I said, I have rented from this location many times before.
I would agree to file a claim with the credit card company immediately. Make it clear to your auto insurer that the damage to the rental vehicle will be charged through the credit card coverage but the damage to the other car, liability, etc. can go through their claims process.
Nov 14, 2016, 9:28 am
#11
Join Date: Jan 2011
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Posts: 364
This happened to me twice in the past year, once with a Hertz Local Edition and again at a Dollar airport location. I assumed in both cases that it was just part of the hard sell they make for supplemental insurance, but on the final rental record both noted the name of the insurer I told them at the counter in the "other remarks" section of the document. Good to know that they may use that information to try to circumvent a credit card's primary CDW coverage...
Nov 14, 2016, 10:54 am
#12
FlyerTalk Evangelist
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Not everyone who rents a car has personal auto insurance. Unless you were renting in a state -- like California -- where renters must have liability coverage, would these car-rental companies have refused to rent to a person who did not have a personal auto liability policy?
I note that some organization/association discount codes provide at least minimal primary third-party liability coverage when renting at participating locations.
I note that some organization/association discount codes provide at least minimal primary third-party liability coverage when renting at participating locations.
Nov 14, 2016, 11:10 am
#13
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Primary third-party liability insurance for USAA members using the USAA discount code at participating Avis, Budget, Enterprise, and Hertz locations:
http://themilitaryfrequentflyer.boar...iability-usaa/
http://themilitaryfrequentflyer.boar...iability-usaa/
Nov 14, 2016, 7:23 pm
#14
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: home = LAX
Posts: 25,933
I rented from Alamo last week at MCO. I have a Diners Club Card which provides primary collision coverage. When I didn't accept their CDW, they said that since FL is a no-fault state, they would have to file through my primary insurer (not sure what no-fault had to do with it, since I have rented numerous times with numerous renters and never had an issue with this). I guess you know how this turns out, I rear-ended somebody in TPA and swapped the car out there. Before they would let me take a different car, they charged my $500 collision deductible from my primary insurer, even though I wasn't going through them (though they will be involved with the person that I hit). The supervisor in TPA said that they don't work with Diners Club because it takes to long to settle, they will work through USAA.
Has anybody ever had an issue like this with Alamo? I had an accident in LAS with National and there was never an issue. Kind of funny that in MCO, they said it was because FL was a no-fault state, but at TPA, they said it was because DC took too long to settle.
Has anybody ever had an issue like this with Alamo? I had an accident in LAS with National and there was never an issue. Kind of funny that in MCO, they said it was because FL was a no-fault state, but at TPA, they said it was because DC took too long to settle.
But since you rear-ended another car, full insurance (not just collision) presumably has to get involved.
Nov 14, 2016, 11:30 pm
#15
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,872
wow, we are going to be renting a car from MCO and it seems like we should not rent from Alamo since they require you to pay for CDW and supply your personal car insurance info?
My credit card provides primary coverage so I have no reason to buy their CDW.
Wow collision coverage is ONLY GOOD when no one is involved? I thought and have been reading numerous blogs of how coverage from your card will save you money in case of an accident and how you don't have to get your personal auto insurance involved for risk of future rate increase.
My credit card provides primary coverage so I have no reason to buy their CDW.
Wow collision coverage is ONLY GOOD when no one is involved? I thought and have been reading numerous blogs of how coverage from your card will save you money in case of an accident and how you don't have to get your personal auto insurance involved for risk of future rate increase.