Car hire abroad - extra insurance

bellymonster

I'm about to book a hire car for my hols in Italy. Last time I did this I got stung for an extra £60 at the point of collection for "extra" insurance that meant I didn't have to pay an excess if I damanged the car. Is this just a scam and do I really need it ? Is it likely that my travelinsurance would cover the excess in the event of an accident ?

richardw

Have a look at https://www.holidayautos.co.uk they offer an excess waiver facility as an exta premium, but read all the terms and conditions very carefully.

https://www.guardian.co.uk did a feature in their Jobs and Money section in March http://money.guardian.co.uk/cars/story/0,11944,1445724,00.html you may pick up some tips

msmclow

I was interested to read this and also jeffdavies' comments (15th June) about circumstances in which excess amounts taken via credit cards can be refunded - I have recently returned from a short visit to Italy during which I suffered a 'rear end shunt' and sustained minor damage to the car I was driving. I had not taken out "excess insurance" at the airport (Bari, Italy) as I had not had it offered to me or explained at all - the Hertz man just said "Do you want the basic insurance?" (in English) and after waiting in the queue for almost 45 minutes I had been grateful to get out of there as soon as I got the keys! Although I exchanged copious details with the other driver, who totally admitted fault, and filled out all the accident forms, when I arrived back at the airport I was told that 800 euros would be swiped from my card. I protested that it was really only a minor bump and damage, that it wasn't my fault, and that the other driver had said that his insurance would cover any amounts to be paid. The amount to be swiped was reduced to 260 euros and the gentleman at the Hertz desk told me that this would be refunded if/when the other driver's insurance company settled the bill. I have yet to hear anything further, although I received an invoice (paid) in the post a few days after I got back which showed that 260 euros had indeed been taken off my card. If anyone has any advice as to what (if anything) I can do about this I should be very grateful. I am going to investigate the other hire companies mentioned in this thread who waive the excess insurance before my next trip!