Do I need Extra Insurance for USA Car Hire?

davidburleson

Simply put, the wording is confusing on these car hire sites in the USA. I don't want to fly all the way over there to find out that I should have taken out some sort of insurance over here so I could drive a car in the USA.

Do I need any extra types of insurance before I book a car in the the USA?

Triker

Just be aware you are never covered for loss of keys and also damage to tyres and under carriage, so if you have a blow out or hit something underneath that causes damage you are liable.

The loss of keys I found out to my cost because I bluddy lost 'em and we had to pay to have the car towed and a new replacement set of keys. Apparently getting roadside assistance for the duration of your holiday can cover this.

davidburleson

So, would I be correct that provided that you don't have any uenxpected problems with your car, you won't need to take out any extra insurance?

Gloomendoom

davidburleson wrote: »

So, would I be correct that provided that you don't have any uenxpected problems with your car, you won't need to take out any extra insurance?

Yes. However, I always take out extra insurance to cover tyres,windscreen, roof, undercarriage, keys etc. no matter where I hire a car. So far it has worked... I've never had to claim.

Edit: If you book in the UK before you go you shouldn't need to take out extra insurance. If you book in the US you probably will as most domestic renters in the US are covered by their own car insurance when renting a car.

Triker

Gloomendoom wrote: »

Yes. However, I always take out extra insurance to cover tyres,windscreen, roof, undercarriage, keys etc. no matter where I hire a car. So far it has worked... I've never had to claim.

Edit: If you book in the UK before you go you shouldn't need to take out extra insurance. If you book in the US you probably will as most domestic renters in the US are covered by their own car insurance when renting a car.

Can I ask who with please?

ferf1223

Gloomendoom wrote: »

Edit: If you book in the UK before you go you shouldn't need to take out extra insurance. If you book in the US you probably will as most domestic renters in the US are covered by their own car insurance when renting a car.

That's the key thing I think - booking in advance through US vs UK websites. I have primary rental car insurance through my US credit card - I used to book direct with Dollar in the US and skip the insurance as the price difference was massive. Anymore, the price difference for 10 days or so is usually less than £40 (booking through US with no insurance waivers included vs booking through UK with all insurance waivers in place)...to me it's worth that much to know I'm pretty much covered if heaven forbid anything ever happened.

zagfles

Triker wrote: »

Can I ask who with please?

I use insurance4carhire which covers CDW excess plus the bits which aren't usually covered by CDW like underside, roof, tyres etc.

zagfles

davidburleson wrote: »

Simply put, the wording is confusing on these car hire sites in the USA. I don't want to fly all the way over there to find out that I should have taken out some sort of insurance over here so I could drive a car in the USA.

Do I need any extra types of insurance before I book a car in the the USA?

The main thing to be aware of in the US is that car hire companies don't have to include unlimited third party cover, like they have to here. It might be limited as say $250,000 which might not be enough if someone gets seriously injured in an accident. If the court awards $500,000 you'd be chased for the extra $250,000! So "top up" insurance is usually recommended (it's called SLI or ALI) - it'll be probably be much cheaper if you buy it before you go rather than at the desk.

Usually CDW/TP will be included (these cover damage and theft of the hire car) but watch out for any excess/exclusions

cherry-picker

I've hired in the US plenty of times and the problem is that statutory minimum liability limits can be too low to protect you against a potential 3rd party claim for injury. It's worth checking what comes as standard with your car and making sure you're covered for up to $1million. If not it's worth considering extra cover - US compensation payments can be pretty steep!! I use icarhireinsurance.com, which provides supplimental liability insurance and also protects your excess. Mine's an annual policy, but you can also buy by the day.

Gloomendoom

Triker wrote: »

Can I ask who with please?

Sorry for the late response.

I've used Questor in the past but there are plenty others. Google "car hire insurance".

cubegame

Just make sure you book in this country and you should be ok and get all inclusive.

I'm not a believer in car hire excess insurance....for £60 odd I think it's a better alternative to not actually damage the car......