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Rental-Car Insurance
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LEFT: In Italy, a
Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) is mandatory for rental cars. |
When you
rent a car in Europe, liability insurance is normally included in the rate. Fire
and theft insurance may also be included, but it's always a good idea to ask.
What typically isn't included is insurance against collision damage.
To protect yourself against having to pay for car repairs (or even a brand-new
car) in the event of an accident, you need a Collision Damage Waiver or
"CDW." This is available from three sources:
Rental agencies
The rental agent will offer you a Collision Damage Waiver when you pick up
your car. In a few countries, such as Italy, you may be required to take the CDW.
The cost isn't cheap--typically 10 to 25 euros or U.S. dollars per day--but
buying it from the rental-car firm is simple and offers peace of mind. You may
also want to inquire about theft insurance, (LDW), which is usually
mandatory with Italian car rentals but is optional in most countries.
Credit-card companies
Some credit-card companies provide free collision insurance for rentals
charged on their Gold or Platinum cards. Unfortunately, the coverage isn't
always as good as it seems, and many card issuers no longer protect overseas
travelers or limit their protection to cheaper cars.
To make matters worse, you may be required to authorize a deposit on your
credit card up to the replacement cost of the vehicle, which isn't very
practical if the car's value is more than your credit-card limit. If you get
into an accident, you'll normally have to settle up with the rental firm, then
seek reimbursement from the credit-card company after you get home.
Avoiding the need for extra insurance
If you live outside the EU and are driving for at least 17 days, consider a
short-term lease (such as a
Peugeot Open
Europe "Buy Back" lease or a
Renault Eurodrive lease) instead of a traditional car rental.
You'll get a new, factory-fresh car that's fully insured at no extra cost. As a
bonus, leases are available to drivers who may be too young or too old for a
standard car rental.
Next:
Inexpensive CDW, related Web links
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