You're welcome, Brent, and we hope you have another wonderful trip. Please report when you get back!

WEW! Thanks for all the responses. I decided to go with National (booked through Europcar). I had to pay the full rental which is 321.31 for a full week (less discount of 35.70 since I booked through Bonjour paris I presume). But, with National I can purchase super CDW at 6 USD per day with no deductible. I will still look into travel insurance because of all the uncertainties today with plane cancellations and so forth. Thanks everyone.

You missed my point. At that time, they didn't hit your card for the damage, they hit it for the maximum amount they might bear before their coverage kicked in. I guess they must reduce the charge to your card at some point after the actual damage is determined.

While I had damage and filed reports with my credit card company at home, the rental company never put through a charge for damage or any other claim against me, so how it worked in detail then or now I don't know. But be aware they can and likely will hit your credit card for a big amount, even if you have coverage through the card or another thrid party.

Marcel,

Thid is what the car rental company posts as a starting point in negotiation. Sometimes works, sometimes not.

CDW = Collision Damage Waiver...whether one takes or doesn't take collision insurance.

Sam...

...$5,000 !!! What car was she ??? Windshield in crystal, golden frame, I presume
Generally, windshields are guaranteed without legal report...but $5,000 was special case

PS.On the other hand, what means CDW?? Too many abbreviations in this forum that faze me

Sam, generally if the damage is from an accident at an intersection, if the car comming fro the other cars right has no or little damage, they both do not particularly want a police report, as the guy from the left is liable, so he or his insurance has to pay for both cars damages has to., and he may get a fine. The car comming from the right just avoids having to go to a hearing.

BP Chuck

Sam, I agree with you, and I like to mention a small incident on this subject. Two ares collided, there were no injuries, but some damage to the cars. The two drivers got out and started yellin at each other. A Police man waled by and listened to the proceedings, and after may be 10 minutes he separated the two and annunced: "Make up your mind! do you want me to make a report of the accident? I have better things to do than wait for you to make up your mind. If you do not want for me to make out a report, clear the road and argue after that."
And this was a very typical case.

BP Chuck

Brent-

I don't think you're being too cautious-more folks should consider insurance before they rent cars overseas.

I find minor, but expensive damage happens far more when I rent overseas than when I drive in the USA. The reasons? Unfamiliar car, strange roads, strange driving customs (in France, real strange), and especially the tight parking found in most French parking lots.

Also, I still don't understand how French law mandates dealing with accidents-I've witnessed two car accidents in Paris-no injuries but a bunch of damage-and in both cases the drivers got out, yelled at each other for about 5 minutes and left. No police, no taking down information, no evidence of reporting. I think if someone damages your car when it is parked in France, the chance they'll leave a note is slim.

I got into all the details of car rentals abroad about 10 years ago when a rock cracked my Avis windshield. At that time, the contract said they charge your credit card for the damage when you return the car up to the limit when the rental company's insurance kicks in. This was around $5,000 at the time, as I recall. Then you can file a claim with whoever covers you-credit card, travel insurance company or home policy (check that home policy-I bet they cover little, if any). At that time you could buy full CDW, and you're a smart guy to have figured out that CDW overseas isn't full coverage.

Jean's idea of travel insurance would work. I bought some once when we went trekking in Nepal but I think you have to buy it for the whole trip and not just the days you rent the car. It may be pretty expensive and may or may not cover all driving risks.

When I rent in France, I take the super CDW because, as Chuck said, you can just throw them the keys when you're done.

If your basic concerne is the possible damage to the rental car, your simplest solution is to accept the collison coverage the rental car companie offers right on the rental agreement. And there is no argument in case something happens to the car. On the other hand this does not cover any liability where someone was injured
or you are injured. Also it is not the cheapest. Read all plicies carefully.

BP Chuck

Brent,

Several different kinds of travel insurance are available; some cover such things as pre-existing conditions for medical problems, others do not. Quite a few now provide high (up to $30,000 in some policies) coverage for rental-car accidents, damage, theft, and so on. If you go over to the BP main page you will find a link to one travel-insurance provider. There's also a thread somewhere on these boards (or was it on the old boards?) on the subject of travel insurance.

We had minor damage to a rental car--someone hit the our driver's side outside mirror while careening down a mountainside at high speed--and were charged something like $400 at check-in time. We submitted a claim to Diner's Club, and after 8 months, after we had been charged for the damage, the rental-car company finally removed the charge. Evidently it was easier for them that way than to justify the cost of one mirror.

If you want to compare travel policies, here's a site:

http://insuremytrip.com/?pid=1000&rid=1

Thanks Jean. I do have a credit card (AAA Visa) that would cover the CDW but I am concerned about the paper work and any hidden out of pocket expenses that the car rental companies warn you about. I'd like to know more about the travel insurance. Can you get it to simply cover your trip? Who offers it? Has anyone out there ever had to use the credit card's CDW? How did it go?

A friend of mine who travels said that it is easier just to pay the rental company because if you got into an accident you just leave the car with them. No fuss or hassles...especially if there is a train to catch.

Jean, tell me more about this travel insurance.


Anyone who used the credit card CDW...how did it go?

Brent,

You want to get good coverage for accident, theft, and assorted kinds of damage. However, rather than paying into the company's coffers, first see what kind of coverage comes with your US auto insurance and whatever credit card you will be using. Also check out general travel insurance, which is very handy to have; we always get it now, not just for medical evacuation possibilities but for rental-car coverage as well. Coverage is usually better than what you can buy from a rental firm.

I just booked a car with AutoEurope. The CDW is inclusive but with a pretty big deductible. I asked about the super CDW and it would reduce the deductible some (175-255) but there would still be a deductible. They did offer an upgrade with National (an affiliate I think) where by the cost for the rental is the same but I would be able to purchase super CDW with zero deductible. The theft deductible is 900.00 USD as opposed to 450 with what I have already booked. Should I go with the upgrade and purchase the super CDW (6 USD per day is what they quote) that offers zero deductible or am I being too cautious?