I just checked our Auto Europe reservation and looked up the present rate and it was $53 less than the price we got the beginning of March. Auto Europe readily honored the cheaper rate. Apparently, the rates have gone down so check out your deal and see if it's gotten better.

Hey, I just did the same thing. When I checked with Auto Europe the price had gone down $50.

If I did not read the trip planning section on this site I would never have known to recheck prices after booking.

So thanks Slow Travel for saving me some $$$.

Colleen

Thanks for letting us know!

We will be booking ours tonight.

I wanted to add a little detail to everyone who might be getting their collision coverage through Visa:

I called Visa today and looked at their website to find out if my card covered anything. They have the standard coverage (collision, theft, vandalism and out of commission charges), which means that if you book with Auto Europe (and use your card and follow some other rules), then you only need (and want) to book it at the BASIC rate.

Now that being said, I nearly got myself 'disqualified' for that credit card coverage!!! And here's the catch with VISA: (((Fortunately I read the fine print!))) If you rent a car for a period "intending to or exceeding 31 CONSECUTIVE days" (outside your country of residence), Visa will not cover the car. We had a car planned for 45 consecutive days, which would have made us ineligible!

So when I found that out, I called and spoke to a representative who said that if it were on two contracts, it would be okay. We figured a way to rent the car for an initial 14 days on my sister's Visa, then do a switcheroo at the airport and take out another car for 31 days (exactly) on my card. We had to go back to the airport anyways, to pick up a friend coming along--so that worked out. But I was really glad to find that stipulation out before we got over there and had a problem.

Interestingly enough, the price for the vehicle when split into two back-to-back rental periods ended up being slightly cheaper (30 bucks) than had we booked the whole 45 days at once...

Sarah are you sure that your Visa insurance is valid in Italy?

My understanding is that it covers just about every country BUT Italy.

It may depend on your specific Visa card. We have Capital One, and you can find the guide to benefits on their web site here. It says that coverage is valid in all countries except Israel, Jamaica, the Republic of Ireland, and Northern Ireland.

It also says, "Because regulations vary outside the United States, we recommend you check with your car rental company and the Program Administrator before you travel to make sure your Visa Auto Rental CDW Program will apply."

I would like to know if anyone has ever used the Visa coverage and had good or bad experiences if they did need to make a claim.

We have used Visa insurance coverage twice.

Once here in Canada... we rented a car in Toronto and someone made a smallish dent in the door when the car was parked. I think they parked beside us and opened their car door too hard. No problem at all with the insurance.

The second instance was in London.. and this is a good warning for everyone. We were returning the car to Heathrow, and were a bit late for our flight. The attendant looked UNDER the front bumper and pointed out a dent. We didn't even stop to look, they had all of our details so we just ran for the plane. We eventually received notification from the car rental company with an amount owing for the repair. We contacted Visa and they asked for the supporting paperwork from the car rental agency (i.e. proof of repair) After a number of faxes, calls etc we received a letter from the agency explaining that it was in our best interest that they did not actually repair the damage, but amortized its costs (???). Again Visa paid the amount the agency had charged to our C.C. - but I now always look under the front and back bumper when we pick up a car! I wonder how many people paid for that same damage on the car we rented??

In Italy we have always used AutoEurope with zero deductable insurance.

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I now always look under the front and back bumper when we pick up a car! I wonder how many people paid for that same damage on the car we rented??

On our last trip Europcar had noted on the rental agreement places where the car had dents. We inspected the car very carefully and found additional places where it was banged up (worse than the ones they had documented), photographed them, and went back in to the office to ask them to amend the contract (which they did). So it's always a good idea to go around the car carefully before you drive it away.

Just realize that even if you get coverage it is not primary coverage.when you get in an accident your card will be charged for any damages and you have to argue with the ins companies often with a 9 hour time difference in a foreign language to get your money back.no thanks.Get full coverage RR

In our two experiences our card was not charged immediately - the charges went through a couple of weeks after the car return.

Any discussion about the damages took place with either our credit card company and/or the car rental agency so there was no language problem. Also everything was done in writing (which I would always recommend in these situations) so there was no time difference struggle.

The amount of money saved when using your credit card to provide insurance is considerable. Often the insurance is almost the same as the base rental cost.

I was under the impression that the insurance was mandatory in Italy for car rentals...that you could not rent a car without accepting it. I would much rather have peace of mind anyway but I didn't think the consumer had a choice in the matter for Italy rentals.

If you get in an accident it still takes an effort even under your experience to deal with the problem.cost of insurance is a small fraction of trip cost.Time is money.RR

Well we are not going to Italy--we are going to Portugal and Spain. I spoke to three visa people and there was no problem.

As for getting full coverage, it would make our rental about 35 % more expensive. We are renting a total of 45 days. You can imagine how much more that cost would be. I am willing to try the Visa coverage. It's exactly the same that Auto Europe provides for their Inclusive rate.

The rep from Visa gave me a toll free number for both those countries. He said that as long as I called and put a claim in within 45 days, there shouldbe no problem, as long as the basic conditions are met (like not over 31 days, etc..). I looked those over very carefully and am not worried that any will be a problem. But that stipulation about length would have disqualified us, so I was glad to catch it. It really caught me by surprise. I imagine there are others on here that travel for longer periods and might have a rental for more than 31 days at a time.

I'll let you all know about he experience. Although I am really planning on NOT having an accident or anything to claim!

(On that note... In Italy we got hit--not my fault--two years ago with my car from Germany--it was a wild encounter with the locals! I really should have written a trip report. The chaos that ensued (Italians, Americans and Germans trying to communicate about an accident and insurance and fault, etc... and $$$$) in Praiano on the Amalfi Coast was crazy. I think the whole town gathered and began to opine even though we and the other driver were the only witnesses!) But my car got fixed the very next morning!!)

I also wanted to add that it really didn't seem like there would be a big time issue (Supposing we had an accident and had to make a claim). You report it, and that's about it, as far as I can tell. I call and then they start dealing with it.

My feeling is that I am not going without a safety net--I am taking advantage of a service I essentially already pay for my with my annual fee and APR. Credit Card rental insurance isn't new-- they've been doing it for years... so I think it probably has some merit as a service people have used, reused, demanded and liked.

A more general comment:

Although I often do fork over extra money for convenience, I truly hate paying for unnecessary things. I think the car rental companies make a lot of money on that extra coverage--they charge a premium for it. I had to pay for it while my car was being repaired last month because the CD wasn't covered by the other driver's insurance company. The total came to about half of what the rental was! Very irritating.

I think we Americans are used to paying for the next better, the super size, and, above all, the cushion of safety, and we truly throw a lot of money away. Maybe I am making a totally erroneous generalization, but I feel like we are always being asked to purchase the extra warranty, the warranty on the warranty... the next better oil, the higher quality gas, the supplement for the gas, etc.. etc..

That's how those companies make their big profits! I think they are very often selling a (false) peace of mind to frightened consumers.

How else do you think so much duct tape got sold after 9/11?

If you hadn't noticed, I have opinions on everything.

I always decline coverage in the USA.I can see how in 99.999% of cases everything will be ok.I have only been in one significant accident in over 30 years of driving.But what if there is disputed liability or the accident is your fault?.My father went through a nightmare where he was accused of causing an accident in France(guilty until proven innocent).

Insurance is for the unexcected.Like the reason I wore a bike helment for two years of serious bicycle racing,we are talking 18,000 miles of riding.I needed it once,the day I hit a dog at 30 mph.I flew off the bike and cracked the helment in half(would have been my head)totaled my bike,bent the wheel and had 18 stitches in my face. most of the time everything in dandy.RR

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I am taking advantage of a service I essentially already pay for my with my annual fee and APR.

quote:

I think we Americans are used to paying for the next better, the super size, and, above all, the cushion of safety, and we truly throw a lot of money away. Maybe I am making a totally erroneous generalization, but I feel like we are always being asked to purchase the extra warranty, the warranty on the warranty... the next better oil, the higher quality gas, the supplement for the gas, etc.. etc..

Both very true statements.

In countries where your credit card insurance gives you full coverage - take it! In other countries use AutoEurope's zero deductable plan!

I haven't read this entire thread so this may be redundant--but here goes. Remember that most credit card insurance will only cover 30 days abroad and I believe 15 days at home. Lots of people don't realize this and then have a big problem if something happens. Be sure to read the fine print of your card's coverage.