Faremax: Travel Forums

You can save a good bit of money by checking the benefits on your credit card. My gold card includes insurance for rental cars; this saves using their insurance, and works very well. I got to test it when someone tried to steal my rental car in Winnipeg and caused more than $4000 in damage. Visa covered it all without even blinking.

Jackie

That is good advice, Jackie.  I never thought to check with my company...I guess I should do that. 

On a side note to this ... make sure your credit card company covers ALL the rental insurance, not just basic damage.  We found out some rental companies will also charge you for "time lost", meaning whatever time the car has to be in the shop and they cannot rent it out.  Our credit card company does cover this, but the friends we were traveling with did not.

Thanks for all the tips. I never even thought to check with my credit card company but I do know many offer benefits for car rentals. We also have coverage under our car insurance agency for rentals so its always good to check with them too rather than purchasing insurance through the car rental agency.

I think a lot of people forget that their car insurance for their family cars often cover rentals too.  The credit card suggestion is a good one, too!

Thanks for the tip. I didn't think of my credit card either when I rented a car to drive around the southern part of Ireland. Things turned out just fine though. Whew!

Wow, someone tried to steal your car? how awful! Does that happen often in the Winnepeg area?

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I guess we all should check our cards.  That's amazing that VISA covered it so easily.

My credit card doesn't have perks, but I do need to remember to check with my

insurance company... thanks for the reminder! 

That's a good idea. Infact, I always call my credit card company to find out what insurance my card provides. It's an important thing to remember before renting a car. At least you can save money.  

This is one tip I plan to remember.  I can see where it could save a young person such as my son a lot of money.  He has to pay quite a lot when he rents a car since he is only 24. 

You might need to check then, given his age, that the insurance would apply. Since car rental insurance is compulsory for younger people, he might not be able to get away that easy!

I agree brit

That is a very good tip. Not only should you check the benefits on your credit cards but your the insurance you carry on your car may be transferable. Then you will not have to buy the insurance they offer you at the per day rate.

I do not use card more so I am not sure about the insurace facility with that. I have to check my bank or card policy.