Cheap car hire article discussion

statesidemanc

Hi all,

Hope this is the right place to post this.

I've found a great value deal to Orlando via a Thomas Cook holiday - never done one of these before. It includes car hire in the price, which seems like a bonus.

But, as with all car hire, it seems the devil is in the detail on the insurance.

They link to here: thomascook. com/car-hire-info
And try an upsell the inclusive insurance packages.

My question is, can I take out the separate excess policies here Martin talks about - will they be valid? And also, there seems to many additional charges here, not related to insurance:

State Environment Surcharge ($2.05 per day) $28.70
Airport handling fee and 10% on options purchased $49.00
Airport operating fee and 10% on options purchased $63.36
State Sales Tax (6-7%) $9.62
LP – Liability protection ($12.44 per day) $174.16
CDW – Collision Damage Waiver ($20.99 per day) $293.86

Are these all payable regardless, with any car hire?

Thanks in advance for the help and advice!

EssexExile

statesidemanc wrote: »

Are these all payable regardless, with any car hire?

If you book car hire direct with something like Alamo Gold then all that is included.

WAYT

statesidemanc wrote: »

Hi all,

Hope this is the right place to post this.

I've found a great value deal to Orlando via a Thomas Cook holiday - never done one of these before. It includes car hire in the price, which seems like a bonus.

But, as with all car hire, it seems the devil is in the detail on the insurance.

They link to here: thomascook. com/car-hire-info
And try an upsell the inclusive insurance packages.

My question is, can I take out the separate excess policies here Martin talks about - will they be valid? And also, there seems to many additional charges here, not related to insurance:

State Environment Surcharge ($2.05 per day) $28.70
Airport handling fee and 10% on options purchased $49.00
Airport operating fee and 10% on options purchased $63.36
State Sales Tax (6-7%) $9.62
LP – Liability protection ($12.44 per day) $174.16
CDW – Collision Damage Waiver ($20.99 per day) $293.86

Are these all payable regardless, with any car hire?

Thanks in advance for the help and advice!

Yes, you can purchase standalone insurance. Then just the above are payable on arrival.

You only have three choices from where to purchase the full policy.

http://www.insurance4carhire.com/usa-canada-car-hire-excess-insurance (Annual)

https://www.carhireexcess.com (Daily and Annual). LP = Supplemental Liability Insurance. Tick the Supplemental Liability Insurance box on the second page.

https://www.bettersafe.com/Products/Car-Hire-Excess-Insurance-Protection (Daily and Annual) Choose option (inc. CDW & SLI)

Bettersafe best value overall. Insurance4carHire well established with a good reputation, but only annual.

Don't neglect to purchase via Quidco or TopCashBack.

You'll need to have a CC in the name of the Driver for them to block an amount on it for the excess payable in the event of an incident.

statesidemanc

You only have three choices from where to purchase the full policy.

Thanks Wayt - big help! Could you just clarify why you say I only have three choices of where to purchase?

I spoke with a rep at Thomas Cook (live chat) and asked about getting car insurance elsewhere - she said the extra insurance had to be purchased from TC, or from Alamo - those were the only options.

Any thoughts on this? Or is it just a scare tactic?

Thanks!

Ben

EssexExile

I've just had a quick look at Alamo, I don't know anything about you, what car you want or when you're going, but all those taxes come to about the same as the total hire charge direct with Alamo Gold!

WAYT

statesidemanc wrote: »

Thanks Wayt - big help! Could you just clarify why you say I only have three choices of where to purchase?

I spoke with a rep at Thomas Cook (live chat) and asked about getting car insurance elsewhere - she said the extra insurance had to be purchased from TC, or from Alamo - those were the only options.

Any thoughts on this? Or is it just a scare tactic?

Thanks!

Ben

She is lying. Alamo don't care. People booking the same via Thomsons and Virgin had no problems with Alamo. Don't waste time and energy talking to TC.

Only the linked to companies sell SLI. I thought that I made that clear. Stop flapping and wavering.
No need to purchase the policy until a few days before you leave. When you are sure that you are going. But don't forget.

Of course Essex Exile is totally wrong. He doesn't even know the length of your rental, but yet he is making definitive pronouncements. Furthermore, since you won't purchase any options, you won't be paying 10% of anything.

Someone else in a similar position paid US$111 for a eighteen day rental,
plus the standalone insurance. Here

So if EE can price up an eighteen day Florida Alamo Gold rental in September for US$110 plus £80 for annual CDW & SLI, a total of £165, I'll eat my words.

EssexExile

WAYT wrote: »

Of course Essex Exile is totally wrong. He doesn't even know the length of your rental,

It's in the OP & I put in lots of caveats.
I was comparing the prices given with the prices for Alamo Gold to show that the deal he was quoting was not a good deal. I agree that the cheapest way is as you describe. However as I read so many horror stories about car hire I prefer the safer route. It's a personal decision.

WAYT

EssexExile wrote: »

It's in the OP & I put in lots of caveats.
I was comparing the prices given with the prices for Alamo Gold to show that the deal he was quoting was not a good deal. I agree that the cheapest way is as you describe. However as I read so many horror stories about car hire I prefer the safer route. It's a personal decision.

Perhaps you can recount a "horror story" that may be relevant to the poster. It's no good putting the frighteners on someone for no good reason.

Also, your reply was misleading, as what you wrote was "all those taxes come to about the same as the total hire charge direct with Alamo Gold"

The charges for CDW and LP/SLI are not "taxes". So it looked as if you were suggesting they could get a 14 day rental with Alamo Gold for around US$100 or less.

Others on this board have done the FlyDrive thing and had no issue with this at all. Even confirming it with Alamo.
This is a website concerned with getting the best value, not scaring people into paying twice as much because you are too afraid to be creative.

PAUL_R

Went on a California road trip recently and used Avis via Expedia who were brilliant in every way. My advice is avoid Goldcar/Rhodium in Europe like the plague at any price. Used them once at Alicante and they are shockingly bad. Massive wait at the desks, pressure selling insurance to people who already have full CDW, Dark grey cars in a dark car park, Cars are dirty inside and out, Shifty looking, rude and lazy staff who refuse to check cars on pickup or drop off. Rip off fuel charges one was 89 euros for half a tank on an Opel Corsa. Boy racer car parkers driving around like idiots. No parking available when you drop the car off. Will then claim for scratches after you have flown home even if you have taken photos proving otherwise. They do not reply to any e-mails. Even though not a large amount of money in our case currently we are posting this warning on every website, have e-mailed Auto Europe with our hi resolution photos showing no damage as we have full CDW and this is insurance fraud against them. We will also be reporting them on the EU consumers website and the Spanish Police. If everyone they rip off kicks up enough fuss eventually they will either go out of business or more likely have to change their name.

Ashers92

Just thought I'd double check my plans here to make sure I've not forgotten anything.

My girlfriend and I are travelling to Alcudia, Majorca from October 5th-9th this year and I'm looking at taking out the following via Skyscanner:

Collection - Oct 5th @ 12:00
Return - Oct 9th @ 17:00
Provider is ClickRent, via GotCarRentals.com

Looking at the Audi A1 or similar for £33 (There is cheaper at £27, but we intend to do some driving through the mountain ranges one day so a slightly nicer car would be nice)
Full to Full fuel policy
Theft Protection (£1500 deductible)
CDW (£1000 deductible)
Third Party Liability
Free Cancellation/Amendment upto Sept 30th
C/C Deposit of £1500
I'm 25 so no young driver charges.

I'll be taking out separate excess insurance elsewhere for around £7.
So all in its looking to be £40, before fuel.

Is there any additions I should look out for? Obviously we wont need the hire companies insurance so will have to take the £1500 deposit on credit card so I need to increase my credit limit before we leave.

Any one had experience with ClickRent in the past?

Any advice/pointers appreciated.
Thanks