* Anti-theft car hire "protection". 9 Euros per day. *

codger

Just wondering if I'm getting stupid as well as growing old, but for what I think is the first time in a rental car quote, I've received one from a major European supplier which says the cost "covers everything" (as they all do) and then goes on to qualify that statement (again, as they all do) by trying to flog me excess CDW cover -- which, also as usual, I don;t need because I already have an annual policy.

This time though, I'm also being offered "Anti-Theft Excess Insurance", which for the 4-day rental of the car I'm proposing to book is being charged at 36 Euros.

So. Have I been missing out on some "excess" all these years in regard to theft? Is it the case that rental companies have actually been wanting punters to fork out for this kind of extra cover for some time??

If so: is 36 Euros for 4 days' cover in any way reasonable? We normally book rentals for 14 to 21 days, so the total "extra" for an average fortnight's holiday would result in the hirer paying out 126 Euros. Oh really?

Advice appreciated: should we fork out for this option or ignore it? Our inclination is to the latter, but we're conscious that our CDW top-up insurance certainly doesn't have anything to do with vehicle theft (or "theft of vehicle accessories".)

WAYT

Why not name the "major European supplier"? Any reason for the 'cloak and dagger' approach?
Just name everything. Location, company involved, class of vehicle, cost etc
That way we can see exactly what is included and what is not.

At first glance, it seems like nonsense. But if you wanted an informed opinion, post all of the relevant details.

Alan_Bowen

The only time I came across something similar was in Sofia, Bulgaria around 20 years ago. They warned us never to leave the car unoccupied as it would be stolen and taken across the border to Greece for resale and as a result they could not get effective theft cover. Frankly 20 years ago theft of a car seemed to be the least of our worries, some of the potholes were deeper than the tyres themselves and the police roadblocks scared the living daylights out of us but apart from that I have never come across any attempt to deny basic cover for theft, and I hope 20 years later Bulgaria may be a lot safer than it was, but I don't intend to ever go back and find out!

codger

Sincere thanks, WAYT and Alan. I get the impression you're a bit surprised, same as I was. I have the actual text of the optional extra here:

Theft Insurance waive off EUR 350.00 excess/self-risk and include total cover in case the vehicle is stolen or parts / accessories attached to / form part of the vehicle are stolen.(minimum charge of EUR 36.00 applies).
Click Yes to reduce liability to zero. Click No to leave excess of EUR 350.00.

The rate per day is 5.00€, so apologies for saying it was 9 Euros. Then again: I hadn't noticed that although I myself am only looking at a 4-day rental, there's a qualifying condition stipulating a minimum of 36 Euros, hence my math.

This optional cover against "350.00 excess / self-risk" (whatever the latter phrase may mean) applies to all vehicles regardless of size / class / price from this particular supplier.

I should apologise though for inadvertently misleading you both in my reference to 'major supplier'. Indeed it is. But only in the particular small part of Europe to which we're headed.

It has reportedly been in business for more than 30 years and forums like TripAdvisor are notable for glowing recommendations by users -- stretching back over a number of years -- for the friendliness and value offered. No-one has ever mentioned the 'theft waiver' though . . . which was why I wondered, in my OP, if it's something which others already take for granted as part of the usual car rental deal, even though I've never encountered it myself.

Anyway. Our destination, by virtue of size, is not over-stuffed with car rental companies. I'll work through the others and see what they have to say. It may be they have no availability at all, so in that case I'll book with the supplier concerned but not take the 36€ option.

If it's supposed to be only 5 Euros a day then I see no justification for ramping up the rate. But then again: I see no justification for this type of cover option anyway. CDW I can understand; 'theft excess', no.

Thanks again then -- and Alan: "potholes deeper than the tyres"? Priceless. But perhaps things are different now, though I'm not inclined to find out.

codger

Just been talking to a friend who seems to know more about hiring cars than I do.

He tells me that "TP" -- Theft Protection -- is now very common, and a standard issue option for giants like Hertz and Avis. In Europe it's a financial deal like CDW: take out extra TP cover, and you won't pay the first 1,000 Euros if the car is stolen; take out extra CDW cover, and you won't pay the first 1,000 Euros for damage.

I'm trying to think of what the next optional cover will be: protection against excess chargeable for vehicle cleaning at end of hire, 3 Euros per each rental day or risk being billed 50 Euros for hirer valeting on return (at hirer's discretion)??

WAYT

If you have standalone car hire excess insurance, you needn't be overly concerned.