Originally Posted by
guv1976
Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry8703e/4.1.0 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/104)
dracs, it's precisely because the terms of Visa's coverage make no mention of coupon use that there is a problem. The terms of my Visa Signature coverage say that you must "initiate and complete the entire rental transaction with your eligible Visa card." (Emphasis added.) At least in the past, Visa has advised that using a free-day or dollars-off coupon would void the coverage since you would then not be using the Visa card to complete (i.e., pay for) the entire transaction. I assume that use of a rate discount code would not void the coverage, since you are simply getting a reduced rate, rather than using a coupon to pay for part of the rental charge, but I have never actually verified that.
MasterRental does cover reasonable loss-of-use charges with substantiation. The problem seems to be that some car-rental companies are not willing to provide the type of substantiation that MasterCard (and Visa and Amex) require.
I invariably use my MasterCard for car rentals (at least when I'm using a coupon, which is frequently), as it seems like the least risky option. And I always opt for the supplemental liability coverage, as I do not own a car, and have no umbrella coverage for rental cars.
It is USELESS even when the rental car company provided the documents.
This is from personal experience on a hailstorm damage using a Citicard and therefore claimed coverage with MasterRental. The rental car company's adjuster also told me she had never seen MC paid that portion of the claim among all the claims with CC coverage she processed. At the time I also asked someone in the Avis forum, who was an Avis on-site manager. He told me he never saw that part of claims was successful with his location either.
As far as I know, CC coverage does not cover liabilities, only the damage to the car itself, nothing else. If I do not have a car insurance policy nor an umbrella coverage, I would opt for supplemental liability coverage as well. The last thing you want is someone suing you for bodily injury or property damage and you have 0 coverage, but have assets.