BAEC/AVIS Car Hire
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Angus Scotland
Programs: BAEC Bronze, LH M&M
Posts: 166
BAEC/AVIS Car Hire
Please move if this is better answered elsewhere.
We booked our flights from ABZ to JNB and rtn for April/May 2018 (2-4-1 in CW).
A few months later we booked car hire with Avis through BAEC. After finding out the cost of "Super waiver for collision and theft" with Avis 225 for 22 days, I looked at other options. I have seen Insurance4carhire mentioned on this forum and the cost would be 59.99. Huge difference.
What I'd like to know, has anyone used Insurance4carhire and if they had to make a claim, especially whilst hiring in RSA, how "easy" was the process and would anyone recommend them?
Many thanks for any help.
We booked our flights from ABZ to JNB and rtn for April/May 2018 (2-4-1 in CW).
A few months later we booked car hire with Avis through BAEC. After finding out the cost of "Super waiver for collision and theft" with Avis 225 for 22 days, I looked at other options. I have seen Insurance4carhire mentioned on this forum and the cost would be 59.99. Huge difference.
What I'd like to know, has anyone used Insurance4carhire and if they had to make a claim, especially whilst hiring in RSA, how "easy" was the process and would anyone recommend them?
Many thanks for any help.
#2
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: WAW ✈ LHR ✈ GLA
Programs: BA GfL/GGL/CCR, HH Diamond, IHG Diamond Ambassador
Posts: 2,492
Please move if this is better answered elsewhere.
We booked our flights from ABZ to JNB and rtn for April/May 2018 (2-4-1 in CW).
A few months later we booked car hire with Avis through BAEC. After finding out the cost of "Super waiver for collision and theft" with Avis 225 for 22 days, I looked at other options. I have seen Insurance4carhire mentioned on this forum and the cost would be 59.99. Huge difference.
What I'd like to know, has anyone used Insurance4carhire and if they had to make a claim, especially whilst hiring in RSA, how "easy" was the process and would anyone recommend them?
Many thanks for any help.
We booked our flights from ABZ to JNB and rtn for April/May 2018 (2-4-1 in CW).
A few months later we booked car hire with Avis through BAEC. After finding out the cost of "Super waiver for collision and theft" with Avis 225 for 22 days, I looked at other options. I have seen Insurance4carhire mentioned on this forum and the cost would be 59.99. Huge difference.
What I'd like to know, has anyone used Insurance4carhire and if they had to make a claim, especially whilst hiring in RSA, how "easy" was the process and would anyone recommend them?
Many thanks for any help.
Consider getting the Amex Travel insurance, which covers the car hire - single trip is likely to cost you around 100-200 depending where you go, plus it includes a generous travel inconvenience and medical insurances. Other options include getting the Amex Platinum which has this travel insurance included in the yearly fee.
#3
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: London
Programs: Mucci Blue, BAEC Gold, Blockbuster Video card
Posts: 1,378
I vowed recently always to take out the rental company's own policy, specifically to NOT have to pay out then claim back. I know it's more expensive in most cases, but I hear a few dodgy stories depending on who else you use. In particular I heard that the add ons you can buy through rentalcars.com are a real pain to claim back from and they actively make it tough for you.
I was actually told this on the quiet at an airport counter earlier this year, by someone who wouldn't have benefitted directly from any sort of upsell or anything like that - just friendly advice. I was midway through picking up my car at the time so I phoned rentalcars, cancelled the excess I'd prepaid with them, and then paid pretty much the same amount direct to the car hire firm.
At the end of the day I am travelling for fun when I hire a car, probably with wife and young son in tow, and I just want the least hassle / most peace of mind.
I've also had a prang in LA (entirely other driver's fault) which could have been potentially nasty, and I was so glad I had full CDW.
Sometimes just pay the toll I say.
I was actually told this on the quiet at an airport counter earlier this year, by someone who wouldn't have benefitted directly from any sort of upsell or anything like that - just friendly advice. I was midway through picking up my car at the time so I phoned rentalcars, cancelled the excess I'd prepaid with them, and then paid pretty much the same amount direct to the car hire firm.
At the end of the day I am travelling for fun when I hire a car, probably with wife and young son in tow, and I just want the least hassle / most peace of mind.
I've also had a prang in LA (entirely other driver's fault) which could have been potentially nasty, and I was so glad I had full CDW.
Sometimes just pay the toll I say.
#4
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Helsinki
Programs: BAEC Gold
Posts: 143
I will have to use my cover with Insurance4carhire soon as we had a smash and grab at an outlet mall in Livermore, CA on our Avis hire car. I can let you know how it goes once i hear back from Avis and then have to deal with claiming back the money if you wish?
#5
In Memoriam
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: North
Programs: BA Silver; IHG Gold Elite; Hilton Gold
Posts: 382
I claimed 250 back from my Amex Platinum card in May after paying the same to Avis.
A wheelie bin viciously attacked my wing mirror in Montenegro.
The claim, paperwork and settlement time through Axa was excellent.
A wheelie bin viciously attacked my wing mirror in Montenegro.
The claim, paperwork and settlement time through Axa was excellent.
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Angus Scotland
Programs: BAEC Bronze, LH M&M
Posts: 166
Many thanks offshore_bob.
#8
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: The World ;-)
Programs: OneWorld, Star Alliance, SkyTeam, AMEX
Posts: 322
Please move if this is better answered elsewhere.
We booked our flights from ABZ to JNB and rtn for April/May 2018 (2-4-1 in CW).
A few months later we booked car hire with Avis through BAEC. After finding out the cost of "Super waiver for collision and theft" with Avis 225 for 22 days, I looked at other options. I have seen Insurance4carhire mentioned on this forum and the cost would be 59.99. Huge difference.
What I'd like to know, has anyone used Insurance4carhire and if they had to make a claim, especially whilst hiring in RSA, how "easy" was the process and would anyone recommend them?
Many thanks for any help.
We booked our flights from ABZ to JNB and rtn for April/May 2018 (2-4-1 in CW).
A few months later we booked car hire with Avis through BAEC. After finding out the cost of "Super waiver for collision and theft" with Avis 225 for 22 days, I looked at other options. I have seen Insurance4carhire mentioned on this forum and the cost would be 59.99. Huge difference.
What I'd like to know, has anyone used Insurance4carhire and if they had to make a claim, especially whilst hiring in RSA, how "easy" was the process and would anyone recommend them?
Many thanks for any help.
It's also simple maths - if I had purchased Avis's own policy then over the years that would be 1000's. So even if I had an accident without any extra insurance (Avis or 3rd party), I would still save 1000's (as the saving on not buying "Super waiver for collision" > maximum excess in case of an accident).
And with 3rd party insurance like icarhireinsurance.com, this is a no brainier. I would never ever buy insurance from a rental company.
#9
In Memoriam
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: North
Programs: BA Silver; IHG Gold Elite; Hilton Gold
Posts: 382
I vowed recently always to take out the rental company's own policy, specifically to NOT have to pay out then claim back. I know it's more expensive in most cases, but I hear a few dodgy stories depending on who else you use. In particular I heard that the add ons you can buy through rentalcars.com are a real pain to claim back from and they actively make it tough for you.
I was actually told this on the quiet at an airport counter earlier this year, by someone who wouldn't have benefitted directly from any sort of upsell or anything like that - just friendly advice. I was midway through picking up my car at the time so I phoned rentalcars, cancelled the excess I'd prepaid with them, and then paid pretty much the same amount direct to the car hire firm.
At the end of the day I am travelling for fun when I hire a car, probably with wife and young son in tow, and I just want the least hassle / most peace of mind.
I've also had a prang in LA (entirely other driver's fault) which could have been potentially nasty, and I was so glad I had full CDW.
Sometimes just pay the toll I say.
I was actually told this on the quiet at an airport counter earlier this year, by someone who wouldn't have benefitted directly from any sort of upsell or anything like that - just friendly advice. I was midway through picking up my car at the time so I phoned rentalcars, cancelled the excess I'd prepaid with them, and then paid pretty much the same amount direct to the car hire firm.
At the end of the day I am travelling for fun when I hire a car, probably with wife and young son in tow, and I just want the least hassle / most peace of mind.
I've also had a prang in LA (entirely other driver's fault) which could have been potentially nasty, and I was so glad I had full CDW.
Sometimes just pay the toll I say.
#10
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Norwich, UK
Programs: IHG Gold
Posts: 309
signol
#11
Join Date: May 2016
Location: London WC1
Programs: BAEC Gold
Posts: 430
I have been using icarhireinsurance.com for years after I read positive articles in Which magazine and the Guardian. I don't think you have much to worry about, these insurance providers are highly regulated in the UK.
It's also simple maths - if I had purchased Avis's own policy then over the years that would be 1000's. So even if I had an accident without any extra insurance (Avis or 3rd party), I would still save 1000's (as the saving on not buying "Super waiver for collision" > maximum excess in case of an accident).
And with 3rd party insurance like icarhireinsurance.com, this is a no brainier. I would never ever buy insurance from a rental company.
It's also simple maths - if I had purchased Avis's own policy then over the years that would be 1000's. So even if I had an accident without any extra insurance (Avis or 3rd party), I would still save 1000's (as the saving on not buying "Super waiver for collision" > maximum excess in case of an accident).
And with 3rd party insurance like icarhireinsurance.com, this is a no brainier. I would never ever buy insurance from a rental company.
#12
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Alameda, CA, US
Programs: BAEC Gold (GGL/CCR), HHonors Diamond
Posts: 1,346
Sad to hear that about Livermore, what did you leave visible to temp the a.....e?
#13
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Helsinki
Programs: BAEC Gold
Posts: 143
We were told we were one of 5 cars broken into that day at that mall, all tourists, and the Oakland Avis crew knew exactly where were we'd come from with a smashed back window as they said they said they'd seen it a few times from that area. No one thought to tell us when picking up the car tho!
#14
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Bristol
Programs: BA GGL, UA Plat, DL Plat, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 2,380
I completely disagree
The math is simple: at an average cost of 22 for each of my 50-odd rental days in 2017, Avis/Hertz excess reduction would have cost me over 1k. The excess chargeable on the mid-range vehicles I usually hire is 1k. So even by self-insuring, I am ahead. However, I have also hedged any residual risk by taking out an annual excess reduction policy for 37.99 with its own 75 excess...
Even if I do have a claim and they're a mare to deal with, I'm not really any worse off
The math is simple: at an average cost of 22 for each of my 50-odd rental days in 2017, Avis/Hertz excess reduction would have cost me over 1k. The excess chargeable on the mid-range vehicles I usually hire is 1k. So even by self-insuring, I am ahead. However, I have also hedged any residual risk by taking out an annual excess reduction policy for 37.99 with its own 75 excess...
Even if I do have a claim and they're a mare to deal with, I'm not really any worse off
#15
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Surrey, UK
Programs: BA GGL
Posts: 482
I was really paranoid the first time I got an SUV and it came with no cover. I went and bought a piece of black fabric which covers the luggage area and makes it very difficult to see if there is anything in there through the windows. It is a pain to have to remember to take it with me and it takes up space.
My guess is the covers get damaged relatively easily and the hire cos just don't bother to replace them.