We are looking to rent a car to tour around the countryside. We see that rental companies offer two prices one basic and one inclusive. Our Canadian car insurance will not cover us at all in Europe so I guess we are faced with purchasing additional insurance. Is there a basic policy we should purchase or do we have to go the whole nine yards with theft and collision. The deductibles seem high $1300 and $1800 USD. Is there area third party insurance available. Is thievery a problem? any helpful hints would be greatly appreciated.
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%26lt;%26lt;%26lt;I guess we are faced with purchasing additional insurance.%26gt;%26gt;%26gt;
Have you checked into what insurance may be offered by your credit card company? US credit card companies offer free insurance coverage on foreign rentals when their credit card is used for the entire rental purchase.
Terms and coverages varies but before you spend money on insurance, give you bank a call.
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In Canada, selected premium credit cards (gold/platinum)and charge cards provide rental car insurance (theft and CDW) with 0 deductible. There are restrictions on car types and duration. Also if you need to claim, you will need a police report and more paper work than the coverage provided by the agencies. In France, this is not too troublesome. You will also pay for the damange up front and wait for the insurance settlement in a few weeks, as opposed to immediate settlement with agency-purchased coverage.
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In answer to your question - thievery can be a problem - especially since the thieves will probably break a window to see if there is anything of value in the vehicle. The car isn%26#39;t so likely to be stolen.
The other problem in Europe%26#39;s narrow streets, is sideswiping along with folks who park by bump - they back up until they bump the car behind, then they go forward until they bump....
The deductibles may seem high, but they%26#39;re nothing compared with the charges that will go on your credit card if the car is damaged and you have no coverage. It isn%26#39;t unusual for the rental company to charge the full value of the car to your card until the repairs are completed and billed. Eventually, the excess charges will be credited, but the operative word is eventually.
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If you have an American Express credit card, they also sells another Rental Car Insurance coverage for only $25.99 which covers the deductible and the damages etc.
It is a very good Insurance to use..we had to make a claim when we were hit and run in France. They were so helpful and stod behind us all the way!
They covered everything!
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My parents wavered on what type of insurance to get when we drove around France and Italy two summers ago. Ultimately, they went with the most complete coverage, and when we drove through narrow streets, and in extremely tight parking garages, they were very glad to have it. For peace of mind, if nothing else.
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