Dollar car rental in US

bluep

How much extra insurance needed?
Ok, so I've found a good deal with Dollar car via ebookers.com for my US holiday. It says that the price includes Zero Excess Collision Coverage (see below for cut and paste) but doesn't say anything else about what additional insurance they offer - I presume some sort of damage protection plan. Last time I rented I actually had a stone chip my windscreen on the way to the airport to return the car (the last 5km of my entire stay!!) so I was glad to have purchased the additional insurance.



This year I'm thinking of getting a UK annual worldwide insurance policy as this is much cheaper than paying Dollar's daily additional rate. A big deposit on a credit card isn't an issue at all...But I have some questions as to how it works. I just find all the different covers for different things a bit confusing.



- Some policies offer breakdown included. Isn't this something that the car hire company would normally cover? What circumstances might I need this in that I'm not thinking of?


- How does it work - say if I chipped the windscreen but hadn't got the extra cover via Dollar? They charge me £X when I return the car, I pay, take photos, take the paperwork and then claim back in the UK? What if the UK company disagree with the amount charged by Dollar?


- How can I be sure that the UK policy is covering everything that the US car hire isn't? I'd rather pay an extra £30 or so for the year and get a gold plated policy than go for the cheapest. Which company is literally the best, everything covered and no quibbles about claiming?



Important information

• CDW excludes damage or loss to tyres, windscreen, glass and undercarriage
• Refundable credit card deposit is excluded from the total price and needs to be paid at the rental counter

Inclusions

These are included in the total price of car hire.

• 
  Collision damage waiver (CDW)
  CDW covered with excess of £0.00
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Collision damage waiver
  Collision damage waiver is included in the total price for car hire. In case of an accident or an event that causes damage to the rental vehicle, it covers you for damages done to the car’s bodywork. However, this may not cover damage or loss to tyres, windscreen, glass and undercarriage or anything else in the car. It also may not cover you in case of theft and vandalism.
  
  Excess
  If the car’s bodywork gets damaged, the maximum that you pay towards repairs is the damage excess amount. This is only for bodywork damage.
  Example: Collision damage protection (CDW) with excess amount of £0.00. In case of an accident or event which causes damage to the car, if the claim was £5000, the traveller pays the first £0.00.
  
  
  
  and
  Excess and Coverage
  
  Excess on Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) / Loss Damage Waiver (LDW) is US$ 0.00.
  These amounts are applied if a waiver is included in the rates or purchased.
  Excess is unlimited if you do not purchase CDW/LDW or if it is not included in the rate.
  
  

pollypenny

I've been waiting for someone with more expertise on insurance to post here.

However, from my car hire experience in the USA, avoid Dollar. It's cheaper, but cars tend to older and have considerably higher mileage than Alamo, for example.

We go to America twice a year. We've used Dollar twice, never again. Alamo include breakdown cover. We usually get a good deal, sometimes through Quidco and rentalcars.

bluep

Thanks Polly. It’s for a particularly high level of car on a great deal and the same as I rented last year from the same garage . I couldn’t fault it so just thought I’d do the same again.

photome

bluep wrote: »

Thanks Polly. It’s for a particularly high level of car on a great deal and the same as I rented last year from the same garage . I couldn’t fault it so just thought I’d do the same again.

What’s the car, I agree with polly ref alamo over dollar. I usually use alamobrits with insurances included

bluep

photome wrote: »

What’s the car, I agree with polly ref alamo over dollar. I usually use alamobrits with insurances included

It’s an Chevrolet Impala - their premium level car for the same price as an economy one £380 for 8 days so under £50 a day.

getmore4less

I have settled on alamo using Brits for the extra diver or auto euro both fully inclusive rates for our regular trips.

Not had any problems so far, the sales people have stopped hassle for upgrades and the garage team let you pick a car and will point you to any excess stock for free upgrades.

I did notice prices shot up last year.

photome

bluep wrote: »

It’s an Chevrolet Impala - their premium level car for the same price as an economy one £380 for 8 days so under £50 a day.

I had an Impala for 11 days last year with alamo brits was about £280.

I booked a full size but tipped the guy in the garage

Booked a full size in about 6 weeks time for 11 days again £275