AASelf
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Car Rental - Insurance
I searched for a thread on this, but couldn't find what I wanted. I have to fly down and rent a car in Cabo. It has been recommended that I purchase
the additional insurance coverage from the car rental co. Does anyone have any input? I read a disturbing thread on the realities of Credit Card
protection. I just don't want to basically double the cost of my rental if it isn't necessary. Thanks!
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Bajahowodd
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Posts: 9274
Registered: 12-15-2008
Location: Disneyland Adjacent and anywhere in Baja
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I've rented from at or near SJD for decades. The cost of liability insurance is included in the quoted price. However, you have to pay extra for CDW
(collision damage waiver), and that amount has grown over the years to be considerable. I must admit that years ago, I didn't buy the collision
coverage. But an incident that happened about 8 years ago changed my mind. Apparently someone from the rental agency followed me back to the terminal
where I was picking up others, and pried the hood medallion off my car. Face it. When you give them your credit card upon rental, they run a debit.
So, if you come back with any damage, real or perceived, they will use that debit as a starting point. One other factor is that back in the day,
traffic was fairly light. Can't say that anymore. So, in my opinion, not paying for the CDW is taking a risk you may ultimately regret.
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prt328
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Registered: 2-13-2007
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My experience is the insurance basically doubles the cost of the car rental. Pick one on-line to get the best rate and reserve it. Print it out to
bring with you. Only 2 cards I'm aware of cover you internationally; Capital One and AMEX. Most others just offer coverage in the U.S. The latter
charges you about $18 for the entire rental period if you use the card. Better than $18/day.
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oldjack
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I think you do a dis-service to Nomads when the name of the business that provided less than good service or tried to cheat is not reported.... I
rented cars for 4 years while acquiring my place in BCS and had a problem with only one car agency... National... they quit taking my AMEX card and
told me it was because AMEX was difficult to work with on claims relating to CDW(I never had a claim)... I switched to Budget and they have always
matched the best price I could find on the internet.. I just take the printed info in when I rent... I just rented a car for three weeks at GDL(AVIS)
and they matched the price I had been quoted by Alamo(they had not saved my reservation and had no cars)...
Those who choose to waive CDW should be sure to take a photo copy of the coverage your credit card provides and the contact numbers that would
facilitate any support needed..
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Bajahowodd
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9274
Registered: 12-15-2008
Location: Disneyland Adjacent and anywhere in Baja
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| Quote: | Originally posted by oldjack
I think you do a dis-service to Nomads when the name of the business that provided less than good service or tried to cheat is not reported.... I
rented cars for 4 years while acquiring my place in BCS and had a problem with only one car agency... National... they quit taking my AMEX card and
told me it was because AMEX was difficult to work with on claims relating to CDW(I never had a claim)... I switched to Budget and they have always
matched the best price I could find on the internet.. I just take the printed info in when I rent... I just rented a car for three weeks at GDL(AVIS)
and they matched the price I had been quoted by Alamo(they had not saved my reservation and had no cars)...
Those who choose to waive CDW should be sure to take a photo copy of the coverage your credit card provides and the contact numbers that would
facilitate any support needed.. |
I actually posted about this incident some time back. The company was Thrifty. The story has a twist. I didn't buy the CDW and had the medallion
stolen. My brother also rented the same make and model and bought the CDW. Before we returned the cars, we switched out the medallion from his to
mine, so he was covered for the loss and I had no loss. Caused some head-scratching when we returned the cars. Upon returning home, I called Thrifty
and was told that since the Mexican outlet was under separate ownership, there was nothing they could do. Funny thing is that I had and have rented
exclusively from Avis over the years, but switched to Thrifty this one time because of an on-line promotion.
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mtgoat666
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 20355
Registered: 9-16-2006
Location: San Diego
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Mood: Hot n spicy
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Bajahowodd
| Quote: | Originally posted by oldjack
I think you do a dis-service to Nomads when the name of the business that provided less than good service or tried to cheat is not reported.... I
rented cars for 4 years while acquiring my place in BCS and had a problem with only one car agency... National... they quit taking my AMEX card and
told me it was because AMEX was difficult to work with on claims relating to CDW(I never had a claim)... I switched to Budget and they have always
matched the best price I could find on the internet.. I just take the printed info in when I rent... I just rented a car for three weeks at GDL(AVIS)
and they matched the price I had been quoted by Alamo(they had not saved my reservation and had no cars)...
Those who choose to waive CDW should be sure to take a photo copy of the coverage your credit card provides and the contact numbers that would
facilitate any support needed.. |
I actually posted about this incident some time back. The company was Thrifty. The story has a twist. I didn't buy the CDW and had the medallion
stolen. My brother also rented the same make and model and bought the CDW. Before we returned the cars, we switched out the medallion from his to
mine, so he was covered for the loss and I had no loss. Caused some head-scratching when we returned the cars. Upon returning home, I called Thrifty
and was told that since the Mexican outlet was under separate ownership, there was nothing they could do. Funny thing is that I had and have rented
exclusively from Avis over the years, but switched to Thrifty this one time because of an on-line promotion. |
sounds like you committed insurance fraud in retaliation for theft you suspected but could not prove was by rental agency. 2 wrongs make a right?
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AASelf
Newbie
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Registered: 1-15-2010
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Thanks!
Thanks to you all. It takes the sting out of buying the CDW.
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Bajahowodd
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9274
Registered: 12-15-2008
Location: Disneyland Adjacent and anywhere in Baja
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"sounds like you committed insurance fraud in retaliation for theft you suspected but could not prove was by rental agency. 2 wrongs make a right?"
I suppose you could make that case. However, when I was renting the car, there was this time share flak who kept strongly encouraging me to buy the
CDW. Like really pushy. And that was after I had to deflect his urging me for time share sign up multiple times. When I get back to the terminal, who
do I see there, standing by the entrance? Same guy. Minutes later, I discovered the medallion missing. I think I had a pretty good circumstantial
case. Either way, no one lost. In fact, with the likelihood that the stolen medallion was still in the possession of the rental agency, I'd guess that
they didn't even make the claim with their carrier.
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motoged
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6481
Registered: 7-31-2006
Location: Kamloops, BC
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I have posted the following several times:
My VISA rep told me after EXTENSIVE confirming research on my part that the type of credit card that offers CDW insurance, etc coverage in Canada and
USA is also applicable and in effect in ALL countries in the world except Ireland and some other place I can't recall....DESPITE what the Mexican
rental desk says.
All you need to do is deny the extra coverage at the rental desk....and any damage costs applied to the card are covered by the card company.
Make a few phone calls to you card company confirming this, have them write you a confirmation, and if your card shows a damage debit, sort it out
with the card company....NOT the rental desk.
A few calls before your trip should confirm your info.....BN will, like me, offer only opinions more than facts....due diligence is the name of the
game.
Don't believe everything you think....
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Bajahowodd
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9274
Registered: 12-15-2008
Location: Disneyland Adjacent and anywhere in Baja
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Ever tried sorting it out? They mail forms to you and drag their feet. Oh, if was only a case where they just credited your card. Problem is that the
source for such reimbursements is an insurance company that is paid by the card company.
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motoged
Elite Nomad
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Location: Kamloops, BC
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Oh....okay....pay more than you need.....that's your choice.....
Don't believe everything you think....
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pacside
Nomad
Posts: 316
Registered: 1-16-2006
Location: N. Cal
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| Quote: | Originally posted by motoged
I have posted the following several times:
My VISA rep told me after EXTENSIVE confirming research on my part that the type of credit card that offers CDW insurance, etc coverage in Canada and
USA is also applicable and in effect in ALL countries in the world except Ireland and some other place I can't recall....DESPITE what the Mexican
rental desk says.
All you need to do is deny the extra coverage at the rental desk....and any damage costs applied to the card are covered by the card company.
Make a few phone calls to you card company confirming this, have them write you a confirmation, and if your card shows a damage debit, sort it out
with the card company....NOT the rental desk.
A few calls before your trip should confirm your info.....BN will, like me, offer only opinions more than facts....due diligence is the name of the
game. |
Also be aware if you pay the CDW insurance with rental agency this voids your credit card coverage. I always denied the CDW coverage but I never had
any claims so do not know how credit card company would of handled it.
pacside
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