Car Hire Insurance when paid on credit card

graham17_2

Hi,

I'm not sure if this applies in the UK and couldn't find an answer online, so thought it best to check on here.

I'm looking at renting a car when I go on holiday to Maui, Hawaii this summer. I'm trying to decide about what insurance to take out, where to take it out (e.g. car rental company or another 3rd party insurer online), etc.

I was speaking to the rental company I'm looking to use and apparently for most US citizens using their credit card to pay for it, their credit card company covers them for some insurance. In some cases this includes CDW and SLI.

I was just wondering if the UK credit card companies do this, or is it controlled by Visa, Mastercard, etc. rather than nationwide, bank of scotland, etc?

I'm hoping they do something similar, but no idea where to find out this information.

If not, would people just go with the suggestions on moneysavingexpert's guide (http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/travel/cheap-car-hire) to it, e.g. Daily Excess, Car Hire Excess, etc.

Thanks,

Graham.

dzug1

Insurance being covered by a credit card is a 100% North American feature - it NEVER applies to a British credit card. You don't find out about it here because it would never occur to most Brits that it could possibly be the situation. Similarly, most Americans cannot imagine that it's not the case, and usually give misleading advice on the subject.

And yes - follow the guide

There's one disadvantage using a separate policy - with some of them if you have an accident, you are expected to pay and then claim, they don't pay the hire company direct. If you go down this route check the policy of the company.

Another route is to use a broker - carhire3000, autoeurope, etc. They usually offer inclusive rates.

graham17_2

Hey,

Thanks for the info.

I take it an AMEX card wouldn't even cover it. I realise it's a UK AMEX card, but you never know since it's a US company. I'm assuming not though.

Will have a look and see what I can find. It appears the external ones seem to be rather cheaper, but will read the policy in full.

I'm assuming my car insurance (more than) also doesn't cover me for renting abroad.

Cheers,

Graham.

dzug1

graham17 wrote: »

Hey,

Thanks for the info.

I take it an AMEX card wouldn't even cover it. I realise it's a UK AMEX card, but you never know since it's a US company. I'm assuming not though.

Will have a look and see what I can find. It appears the external ones seem to be rather cheaper, but will read the policy in full.

I'm assuming my car insurance (more than) also doesn't cover me for renting abroad.

Cheers,

Graham.

Pretty sure that AMEX won't cover it but do check

Your car insurance here won't cover you - in fact it's highly unlikely to cover you for car hire here, let alone overseas.

graham17_2

Hey,

Thanks again for the help.

Graham.