Minefield of Car Hire Insurance in Florida

EssexExile

They don't normally need to take or ringfence anything, you've paid the hire charge & there's nothing else to pay unless you incur some toll charges or similar. If you do that then they've still got your card details so they'll just tell you what they are & take it.

happyandcontented

EssexExile wrote: »

They don't normally need to take or ringfence anything, you've paid the hire charge & there's nothing else to pay unless you incur some toll charges or similar. If you do that then they've still got your card details so they'll just tell you what they are & take it.

It is usually done when you buy a stand alone insurance policy rather than take theirs. Matin Lewis explains it

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/travel/cheap-car-hire#insurancetrick

and in more detail here:

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/travel/cheap-car-hire#creditcardbalance

StuieUK34

Alamo usually 'AUTH' (ringfence, block, etc) $1 on your card...
Dollar depending on the mood of the agent, does nothing to $300.

I rent in Vegas several cars per year, with Alamo, Dollar, and Hertz...
Booking through UK brokers = your CDW/LIS is sorted (zero excess)

u don't need to buy extra stuff....
AutoEurope are doing some pretty good rates, just cancelled my AVIS booking and done a booking with AutoEurope for my Tahoe, gives the windscreen cover which is cool (the only thing the desk agent could try and upsell, apart from an upgrade).....

Spain rentals = way different from US rentals...
I had some !!!!!!! smash into my mustang 6 years ago in fort Lauderdale, (hard rock casino car park), apart from police being useless, I filled out the form which was in the car for a smash, and when I took it back 2 days later, no charges, picked up my next rental, job done!

gdrforest

If you need a GPS and already have a standalone Garmin which you are prepared to take with you, it's much cheaper to buy an American SD card for USA from Garmin than pay the daily rate in America.

NiftyDigits

This thread has been well and truly hijacked....

srisport

uknick wrote: »

I wonder if they take the deposit in your case because of the type of car you're renting.

I've just looked at my card from last year when I picked a car up at SFO and nothing was put against it.

They take the security deposit incase i get a speeding fine or don't fill the car up with fuel etc....

i believe they just ring fence it, they did the same with me in Spain last year but looking at my statements - it doesn't show

Regards.

StuieUK34

as I said, in the US
Alamo take/Auth your card for $1
Dollar, depending on Mood, take upto $300
Hertz, didn't Auth my card at all.....

Speeding fines would come to you, not the renter (after renter confirms the hirer), and toll charges, renter would chase you, or given they AUTH'd your card in the 1st place, they could just charge the amount to it anyway...
Ringfence is like doing the Excess style, but in the US, there is no Excess when your booking through a UK broker....

US car hire = the Most easiest/efficient way of renting due to Proper insurance..
Spain = The complete opposite.

srisport

StuieUK34 wrote: »

as I said, in the US
Alamo take/Auth your card for $1
Dollar, depending on Mood, take upto $300
Hertz, didn't Auth my card at all.....

Speeding fines would come to you, not the renter (after renter confirms the hirer), and toll charges, renter would chase you, or given they AUTH'd your card in the 1st place, they could just charge the amount to it anyway...
Ringfence is like doing the Excess style, but in the US, there is no Excess when your booking through a UK broker....

US car hire = the Most easiest/efficient way of renting due to Proper insurance..
Spain = The complete opposite.

Thank you for confirming this, this is only my second time hiring a car and first time in the US so still learning a lot as i go...

Regards.

[Deleted User]

richardw wrote: »

Compare prices with https://uscarhire.com

I did on a booking I've already made through Rentalcars.com and found it more expensive.
The reality is to check as many comparison sites as you can - it's worth taking the time.

PaulyD

I've just returned from Orlando having booked a car thru the Alamo website - I got a standard 4 door economy, 13 days all inclusive for £230, and a bit of quidco cashback to consider as well. The collection process was super easy and efficient (I opted to skip the counter and went straight the garage), and it was literally that simple - find the row of relevant cars, pick one and drive out - you show your barcode at the exit and opt to return empty/full etc. Returning was the same - first class service and wouldn't hesitate to use again. With gas prices at @$2.25, I found I used barely $25 worth over the two weeks, and that was driving to the theme parks daily and a little bit of driving around.