One pervasive fear you might have when you rent your car is another party damaging your rental cars. After all, when you sign a rental contract, you are responsible for returning the vehicle in the same condition. The rental car company doesn’t care who damages a car. But what happens if someone else damages your rental car?
Hit and Run Drivers
There have been instances where a hit and run driver causes damage to a rental car, and the renter has to pay a steep deductible. As our primer on rental car insurance explains, most coverage provided by credit cards is secondary. That means the credit card will only cover up to the insurance policy deductible. So getting stuck paying the insurance deductible means one of two things:
- The renter didn’t read about potential coverage offered by his or her credit card
- The renter didn’t pay with a credit card and has no protection when renting a car.
In either case, the upshot is that it’s important to read and understand what coverage is provided by credit card issuers. None of us want to drop an insurance deductible to repair a damaged rental car. And even if the credit card covers up to the insurance company’s deductible, we really don’t want to report rental car damage to our insurer, as that could impact premiums.
How to Avoid the Tab
The rental car companies will tell you the way to absolve responsibility for damage to a rental car is to pay for expensive Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) or Loss Damage Waiver (LDW). But we have a better idea.
Whenever possible, pay for car rentals with credit cards that provide primary rental car insurance coverage. With a low-cost credit card such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card, you can pick up benefits such as trip interruption insurance and primary rental car damage coverage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I rent an automobile and drive around Europe by renting it?
Yes, you can. You’ll need an organized tour booking and separate payment for each day. There are many companies that offer these tours.
A primary travel agency might be able to help you rent a car if you need more flexibility. These agencies usually provide various services, including car rentals and city transfers.
They often work closely with local suppliers, who can provide quality vehicles at affordable prices.
Can I rent or return a car to Germany?
This question is dependent on several factors such as the type of vehicle that you rent, how long you plan on driving it, and whether there are any special requirements, like child seats or other safety features, for your rental car.
If you plan to drive from Munich or Zurich, you don’t need to rent a car. You can take public transport instead. You might consider renting a car if you plan to drive from Munich to Barcelona during your holiday.
Are you looking for a car in Europe and need one?
It all depends on where and what you are looking for. A typical European urban area might have different priorities to a rural one.
You should also consider how long you plan to stay in each country. An economical car is not the best option if you plan on moving around often.
In most cases, buying a second-hand car is better than renting one. It is often cheaper to buy a used car than rent one in Europe. You can save money on fuel costs, parking fees, maintenance, insurance, taxes, and so forth.
Another advantage is that your car allows you to drive safely.
There are some excellent websites out there that give information about car rentals in Europe. You should check out the following recommendations.
Can you rent car in Europe with a US licence?
It depends on which country you are visiting. For example, if your trip is to France, you can rent cars there. But, if it’s to Italy, they won’t accept US drivers licenses.
What do I need in order to rent car in Portugal
Renting a car in Portugal requires an international driving license. For payment purposes, you will need proof of insurance and credit cards.
The rental company usually asks you to provide a passport / national ID card when booking.
When renting a vehicle in Portugal, you may be asked to show two forms of identification (passport/national ID card).
These documents are required by law in order to comply with European Union regulations regarding road traffic safety. You may not be allowed to drive the vehicle if you are unsure of your identity.
An International Driving License is not required if you are not a driver.
This document needs to be translated in Portuguese and must be presented along with any other documentation. The cost of this document varies depending on where you live but generally costs around $20-30 USD.
It is possible that you will be denied entry to the vehicle if your translation does not match what you have provided.
If I’m from another country, can I rent a car in America?
You can’t rent an American vehicle if your are not a citizen of the United States. Some countries may have a visa waiver program. Additional requirements include valid documentation such a passport, proof of insurance, and other requirements. This topic is further covered on the DHS site.
Statistics
- If you’re a member of AAA, you might also be able to snag discounts of 10 percent at Thrifty, and 8 percent at Dollar. (afar.com)
- American Airlines, for example, offers AAdvantage members 35% off Budget and Avis — but you need to rent from an airport. (nerdwallet.com)
- Save up to 30% on your rental car in Europe when you book with us today. (autoeurope.com)
- Automatics are more expensive (usually about 50 percent more) and may only be available if you upgrade to a bigger, pricier car. (ricksteves.com)
- You can rent an automatic but these cars can cost as much as 50% more than a manual vehicle. (earthtrekkers.com)
External Links
sixt.com
autoslash.com
avis.com
alamo.com
How To
How to report an incident in a rental automobile
When you’re traveling in a rented vehicle, there’s always the chance that something happens while driving. There are many things that could happen while driving a rented vehicle. You might be in an accident, have your luggage stolen, or worse, get hurt. You will need to learn how to file a claim with your insurance company in order to avoid losing any money.
Reporting a car accident is a requirement in the United States. By reporting the accident immediately, police can record the details and notify you of their findings. They will either issue you tickets or take note of the incident at-the-scene. After that, they will file a claim against the driver’s license.
You should call 911 immediately after getting into an accident. A dispatcher can ask questions about the situation and see if any people were hurt. After that, the dispatcher will inform you of where to go and whom to speak to next. In most cases, exchanging contact information is the first thing that you do after an accident. Most likely, the other person will give you their name and telephone number. Next, check that everyone is alright. You will try to assist anyone who is disabled or injured.
Document everything even if nobody was hurt. Keep track of the time, date, location and weather conditions. Make sure to also note any injuries. You will need to seek medical attention if someone is injured. You will also need to keep track and record your damages, which may include damage to your car or the vehicle of the other party.
Afterward, you’ll want to follow up with your insurer. First, fill out an online form to file a claim. Most insurers will pay the deductible first before covering the rest. Once the claim has been settled, you and your other driver must sign an agreement. The insurer will send you a check.
You should follow your insurer’s guidelines once you have filed a case. For example, if your insurance policy allows you to use another car or have someone drive your rental car, adhere to these rules.
