Car rental insurance issue for US licence holder

FLOOPER

Hi all,

My sister comes home from the States generally 2 -3 times a year and needs a rental car.

Problem is they insist on charging insurance which my sister has already and hence almost doubles her costs. They seem extraodinarily insistent on applying this extra cost which I assume they can and deny her the rental.

Any ideas on what company would facilitate her needs especially when as I say she would use the company 2-3 times a year - loyalty wouldn't be an issue.

Thanks

Mods please move to relevant thread if not here

con747

The costs being charged for insurance and car rates and duration of rental would help to get some better options here, also age bracket and years holding a full licence.

Flimsy_Boat

Enterprise will rent to US licence holders without charging for insurance. The base price already comes with a €2000 deductible if you total the car. I use carhireexcess.ie which brings my deductible to zero for any damage and it's only €5-10 per day or €99 for the year.

Manic Moran

Seems to me she needs to try a different rental agency. I've never had an issue with my US insurance renting anywhere in the world. I normally use Hertz, but Enterprise and Avis are also not uncommon for me.

whomitconcerns

You mean she has car hire insurance via her credit card. Some companies take it some don't. Hertz let me user mine before, but charged me a "waiver fee". My card is a UK based one

seaninbayarea

I’m in the same situation. I bring a letter (electronic copy) from my credit card company specifically stating that Ireland is not excluded from the coverage they provide. I always rent from Sixt. I’ve never had to pay insurance. I’m pretty sure they put a hold on my credit card but it has never been charged. Haven’t been back since COVID so maybe it has changed

BailMeOut

Sounds like she is talking about excess insurance which some US credit cards will cover but the have a tendency to exclude Ireland. It's nothing to do with the rental companies. Your sister can always rent but decline the excess as long as her credit card can handle the charge but risks a large deductible if she damages the car.

coylemj

Flimsy_Boat wrote: »

I use carhireexcess.ie which brings my deductible to zero for any damage and it's only €5-10 per day or €99 for the year.

That may be for coverage which includes the US. For rental in Europe (which typically includes several other countries e.g. Morocco & Turkey), you shouldn’t be paying more than €50 p.a. for excess cover.

AIG currently quoting €49.99