Car Hire abroad

EveryWhere

eDicky wrote: »

CDW (Collision Damage Waiver) covers damage to the hire car as well as any third party, but in Europe there's usually there's a large excess involved, for which the hire firm will take a deposit or preauthorisation on your credit card.

The hire firm's extra cover, often sold as 'Super' CDW, removes all or most of the excess, and the need for a deposit. But it's much cheaper to buy that cover separately as EW describes, then use that to claim the excess charge after paying it to the hire firm in the event of any damage.

But that kind of extra cover as offered by brokers such as doyouspain is usually bad value and problematic, best avoided. Also be aware of reviews for doyouspain and the actual hire firms you might choose.

Super CDW often doesn't cover tyres, windscreen, undercarriage, roof, lost keys, mis-fueling, recovery etc. So one really needs to check the T&C, rather than being blindly dependent on it.

Separate cover covers more than Super CDW.

Mr.Everready

Thanks Folks, I've decided to play it safe and go for a local company who deliver to the airport and the cost is all in. Also good reviews.

TF03

I have rented cars in France, Spain and Italy with Europcar and Enterprise.

I was able to leave the deposit on a debit card. This was without any additional extra insurance (apart from my own independent excess insurance I have purchased in advance, but they've never even asked to see this).

The only rule I think they stick by is that if you pre-pay for a rental, you have to use the same card for the deposit.

And in fact, both the above companies only take a £250-£300 deposit. Sixt wanted a £700 once, I told them to shove it.