Sorry to beat a dead horse! But I thought this curious and would like to know others' thoughts.

I just made arrangements to rent a vehicle from a company (yet unnamed but generally good rep from BT folks). When I asked to decline the CDW in deferrence to my credit card insurance I was told that I could, but it would still cost the same--the rental company would pay the CDW on my behalf so they were covered, just not put it on paper that I opted for it. They, I was told, have had problems in the past.

I thought this odd and decided to call my credit card company just to get the lowdown on their coverage. The vehicle would indeed be covered, with no deductable, but only if I decline the CDW (as I knew).

They also had never heard of a rental agency charging for this coverage without having it on paper, and cautioned that this would at least be a verbal acceptance of the CDW and nullify their policy. I am convinced that "not having it on paper" would likewise nullify any CDW coverage as well.

So I expressed these concerns to the rental agent. He responded that their company doesn't really rent vehicles without CDW and if they do, they'll still charge $10 a day more for the "rental charge". This is the boss' policy.

So, needless to say, we'll go somewhere else. I think it's very bizarre but wondered what others thought of it...

It really sounds shady and I think I know who the company was and it is a shame that they would try to scam you and others. Rest assured it is not a commom practice here!

Since they said these words, your relating their name here would be a simple statement of fact. And most appreciated by anyone here who might not have had your wisdom in discovering it before renting.

Trashing a firm is bad; relating their stated policies to a company name, again, is simple fact.

So please post their name, they are more than welcome to then reply with an explanation of their policies.

Thank you, Jamie, for sharing this information.

Thanks folks for your input. I guess it sounds flaky to others also.

The business in question is Island Car Rentals. I even provided them with a letter of coverage and terms from the insurance carrier, but no dice. I guess they don't need our business?

The person I've been talking to via email has been friendly and prompt in reply. I've mentioned that the boss (owner?) can contact me and explain the policy, but so far I haven't heard from him/her. Perhaps, if they read this, they can help us understand alittle better?

No biggie, really. Just abit perplexed by the whole thing. I do hope others don't face the same problem, but they probably have and will continue to do so.

We'll be on island mid-May and all problems will melt away... We do hope to come to Gibi's and meet folks this time! This has been a priceless forum for us. Thanks Jake for the super moderate moderation and everyone else for countless help!

One plus is that you found this out before your trip and not the day you arrived - tired and sweaty just hoping to get to your hotel soon.

Absolutely!

But I'm always tired and sweaty and hoping to get to my hotel soon...

I believe one or two rentals have mandatory CDW; Island has tried to find a way to get around the word "mandatory", obviously.

The thing is, and I've said this before, that from a rental's standpoint, CDW is a headache. If the renter declines it, it means more costs for the company, plus the unavoidable hassle in case of a collision. The renter is then required to pay the damage on the spot, even if that runs into the thousands of dollars (and claim it from his insurance once he gets home). Needless to say, not everyone is able to do so. So this has caused some terrible (even tearful) scenes with lots of discussions, anger and even abuse.

Jamie, to be fair to Island, I think they did their best to help you. The insurance company requires you to decline the CDW and they will need to see proof of that, which is what Island offered you. However, as I explained above, they also want to be covered for the costs. It won't win a beauty contest, but I can understand their reasoning.

Marc,

What is Island doing that AB doesn't do? This isn't rocket science...BTW, I don't think Island did their best to help Jamie unless the manager of Island returned the call to explain the problems. According to Jamie, the manager did not return the call.

The difference is that with AB, if you decline the insurance, you really decline it; no pay, no insurance, full damages to be paid before leaving the island.

Mind you, if more and more people decline because they are otherwise covered, we may get to a point where rental companies (not just on Bonaire) make CDW mandatory or take it into the calculation of their rates.

Marc
Manager, AB Carrental

I have one nit that I didn't realize when we first picked up the truck: at fist we declined CDW (we weren't planning on doing any remote dive sites at least for the first few days). We added insurance later.

But when we went to Habitat and I tried to use the same credit card on the balance due, I learned that AB put a "hold" on my credit card.
A $22,000 credit limit unavailable, in the interest of making sure they could recoup the value of a truck that, like the old grey mare, "just ain't what it used to be."

Lucky for me, I had other credit cards with me.

Once we added the insurance, we were TOLD that the hold was released; I don't know for sure, as I didn't try to use that credit card again.

So, a word of warning if you DO decline, but want to use a credit card elsewhere: bring two.

Susan,

It seems to me that you should have been warned of the fact of the hold and the amount before you declined CDW. Anything else is simply deceptive: the whole point of declining is the other coverage. Which rental agency did that?? Can't find an earlier post.

I would wonder if that hold (unannounced) would be legal here in the States. And if any subsequent charge, unsigned, would be legal. Enterprise put a $250 hold on a recent rental here and told me that is what they were going to do.

This is a good reason to rent the vehicle with a low limit credit card. I understand Marc's reasoning above but if the rental company starts the games....

Didn't mean to stir up the hornets!

Everyone, please understand that I'm not attacking Island Rentals--the person I was in contact with was very prompt and polite, and upfront about their policy. I just don't understand it is all. And to be fair, I said that the owner/manager/boss "could contact me, but did not have to" to help explain their policy better. I guess he/she either didn't get the word or thought it explained already. That's Ok.

Marc, I really do appreciate you taking the time to try and explain things to us (and you're the competition!). I still don't understand--and maybe this would help explain things better--does it cost the rental company money if the customer declines CDW?

If it's a liability issue, does the credit card coverage (insurance that is, not credit limit) not ensure that your company's potential losses would be covered?

Does it truly cost the company more if the customer declines the CDW?

Lastly, as mentioned by Susan, I understand that the company places a hold for a deposit in these cases. Is this a fixed amount, or does it vary with the vehicle?

Thanks!

Not really very angry or potent hornets!! Just us folks a'talkin. :–)

Susan, we don't put a $22.000 block on a card (not even sure we could). What we reserve by means of an Authorisation Only request is the rental fee + deductible on the insurance, *even if CDW is declined*. We get an authorisation code, which we later use in an Offline Sale for the actual payment. If that number is not used, the amount stays reserved for a couple of weeks.

As an interlude, might I state that this is a prime example of the dangers of Internet for a company? One person says something, which another misunderstands and adds his or her own 2 cents to, and before you know it the company has the reputation of being Mobsters Inc.

Jamie, yes, we do loose money if people decline the CDW. CDW covers our general insurance and repair costs. The cars have mandatory liability insurance for instance.
Besides, if the customer declines CDW, has an accident and then neatly pays for the damages with his credit card, we loose 4-5% commission over the damage amount to the card company (clever ba.....s). If the damage runs into the thousands of dollars, you can figure our loss.

Actually, I rented from AB Car rental.

My card was a Citibank Platinum Select - I have no idea if the auto rental insurance coverage they provide is or is not available from them in the Netherland Antilles - I didn't care - I was on vacation.

I knew that my credit limit/credit balance was much greater than the possible worth of a base, no-frills rental truck.

Truth is, this truck was far from pristine, but we didn't care. There's a saying in horse-circles - a horse is only as good as his legs; this truck was driveable, even if the brake-light never went off and the shocks, struts, suspension and steering were all, judging by the noises it emitted and the handling, on their last legs.

Actually, when we first picked up the truck, the agent forgot to give us the paperwork (and I forgot to ask for it - again, vacation mode had set in), so I suppose it's possible that somewhere in that paperwork it mentioned that they were going to put a hold on my CC. I could even see putting some charge equal to the value of the truck on my card, but certainly not the value of a new truck, or more. Depreciation certainly should enter into the equation.

The girl at Habitat, who gave me some odd looks when the card wouldn't go through, upon learning that I'd used the same card and declined CDW was unsurprised; so apparently it wasn't a surprise to anyone but me.

Again, except for a short period of embarrassment which, seeing as I knew I hadn't maxxed out the card wasn't too strong or deep, it was more the surprise than anything else. And as I said, I had more than one card with me.

Marc,

I'll take your word for it, but essentially that's what happened - I was unable to use the card for another $1100 charge, and I guarantee that I was no where NEAR my credit limit, and wouldn't have been even if you'd charged me much more than the rental fee+deductible.

Marc,
Thanks for the info. I see your point of view more clearly now. And on behalf of the other company, I extend my appreciation for something they could have explained. But, that's why you'll get my business.

Susan, I did read somewhere (don't remember which company though) that a $5000 deposit would be held on the card if CDW was declined. I don't know if this is company specific, but I suspect it is. It's probably common, and I don't think unreasonable--they do need to ensure that they could get reimbursed. But $22,000 is excessive.

A lot of American credit cards will put a hold on the card if it is used outside the United States unless you call the card first and inform them that you are traveling. This is especially true if they see a large dollar charge from out of the country. This is for fraud and theft protection. I had two MBNA cards turned off in September when I was in Bonaire. A little embarrassing when I tried to charge my room service on the last night at the Harbour Village and my card was turned down, and then my girlfriend's card was turned down. Glad I travel with more than one card.

Ah, that may have been what happened - I know Citibank takes that sort of thing seriously (as an aside, I love their new identity-theft commercials)

Sorry, Marc!

FYi on the last bit - You can call your credit card company in advance of a trip and have them put a note on your record that you are travel in a certain country for a given period of time. It doesn't stop the automatic hold but when security goes to make the call to your billing phone number they usually see the info and can reverse the hold without bothering you. But this also means you should probably carry the non-800 number for your credit card if you are traveling outside the USA so you can clear up these things during your trip.

FYI- This doesn't just hold for credit cards, but also bank cards- the bank will put a stop or at least an alert on your card/account to inform them that you were indeed in another country spending money due to internet capabilities nowadays! Bank cards don't always guarantee protection either even though you can use them just like a credit card, so I agree with Linda and no matter what types of cards (credit/debit/ATM/etc...) alert the necessay people so you don't get stuck! I know I don't travel with credit cards, I don't even own one because I've seen what they can do to people. My ATM card has the VISA logo and works just as well, but comes out of my checking! I still alert my bank when I travel though so they don't shut me down until they contact me!

Thanks Bob, for pointing that out... I was seriously starting to doubt myself for a second. Even worse, I knew that, but it didn't cross my mind (it's the wedding coming up, I guess ).

BUT... I also think it's a silly measure to take. The most convenient use of a CC is to pay for large sums when abroad, right? Especially given the fact that this was not a charge, but an authorisation request. I feel those companies should try harder to prevent fraud instead of putting the burden and inconvenience with their cardholders and merchants.

No problem Susan!

Interesting food for thought, as we're leaving for Sint Maarten in 2 days

I have to give kudos to Marc, you are very professional, and really help to clarify issues that people have with the rental car policies. Thanks for taking the "heat" (un-necessarily sometimes) and calming everyone down and explaining the facts as they are.

Oh, don't tell me your nervous about Friday are you? You're marrying a beautiful gal Wish I could be there

No, not nervous... But a bit stressed to get everything done before taking off for a couple of days .

I talked to Patrick of Island Car Rentals, and he confirmed that his company has mandatory CDW. As I suspected, the issue of "not putting it on paper" was to get Jamie in the clear with the insurance in case of problems. From what I understood, they've had requests before to do it this way.

Well congratulations in advance, and tell Kitty we'll be there in spirit Friday

Linda, You hit the nail on the head. This is off topic but I just had to share. We call our credit card company and let them know ahead of time what countries we will be visiting and our US exit/entry points. In 1993 Craig was on business in Caracas and paid his hotel bill with our personal CC instead of using a business cc and one year later to the DATE our CC number was used to buy air tickets to RIO and $450 worth of shoes. We had a hassle from the cc company because according to them we were considered high rate travelers (?) and they wanted certified proof that we were not out of the country when the charge was made. We had to send certified copies of our passport pages showing entry and exits to the US. Bummer. In June of 2000 we took a dive trip on a live aboard out of Miami. We were hit again. The only time we used our cc was to pay for our hotel in South Beach. This time we were saved but only after $4,000 was charged in San Juan in 24 hours and the cc company had on file we were visiting Miami and the Bahamas. Most of our trips are now paid for in advance and we use travelers checks for the rest of the trip.

Marc & Kitty Congratulations!

I'll wager that it is illegal to make the CDW mandatory, especially if it is not clearly disclosed up front. I'd go to a different agency.

Consider this: Which would you prefer, if something did go very wrong: (a) a U.S. insurance policy provided as a benefit to you as a loyal credit card customer of a gigantic U.S. bank system or (b) an offshore, unknown, unrated insurance company that earns its money by selling junk insurance paper through small, island-based car rental agencies, wherein the insurer is naturally loyal to the rental company and could hardly care less about servicing or dealing fairly with "just another tourist".

As to Marc's tales of woe, consider this: If the renter used his card and his card's insurance, there are two possible outcomes if damage occurs: (1) the rental agency calls the credit card company, gets the name and number of the insurer, and submits its claim to the insurance and gets paid directly, (2) the rental agency files under its OWN insurance, then that insurance company files a claim on the credit card-based insurance. Either way, there is absolutely no need for anger between rental company and renter UNLESS the rental company resists and INSISTS that the travelling renter pay "cash on the barrelhead" before leaving the island. That type of policy is onerous and unfair because the rental company has the leverage to monstrously inflate the dollar value of the damage and actually profit from the loss.

Instead, I suspect that the rental companies like Island and AB try VERY hard to avoid dealing with credit-card provided insurance because they don't want to answer tough questions about why a stolen 13" steel wheel costs over $150, or a $50 window costs $250. (These figures are not exact, but I recall asking AB what the charge would be if I returned my car with a flat tire and then happily discovering that the shop next to Lisa Gas would repair the punctures for less than a quarter of that amount. Not surprisingly, the AB clerk never mentioned the possibility of local repair, and indeed implied that it would be a costly replacement of the whole tire rather than, I later discovered, a simple patch of its inner tube, which already had two other patches.)

Leif, If I may put in just my 2 cents here... I doubt if you are correct.

Situation 1) How does the rental agency know the CDW is covered on the CC??? Just by the word of the customer??? I wouldn't accept that.

Situation 2) Remember Bonaire is not a part of the US. This means there is a difference in the law and there are some problems with getting the money from an insurer from another country.

I've had a flat tyre before on Bonaire. When I went to my rental company, they told me to go to Lisa. I think the AB clerk understood you wrong, and thought you were going to bring the car back with a flat tyre when leaving for home. I think they are right at that point, charging you for a new tyre. Just like what would happen to me if I brought back a car with a flat.

I think the main reason the rental companies are trying to avoid dealing with credit-card provided insurance because they don't want to wait endlessly for their money. And like I mentioned before, who tells them if the rental is insured?

Just my 2 cents...

Martin

Since I started this mess, I'll chime in here.

Martin, actually to respond to your very good point #1: I provided both a letter from my credit card company stating that they did indeed cover me, as well as the specific details of this coverage. The description of the coverage was clearly spelled out, and quite extensive I might add.

So I did, I think, provide evidence that I would be covered, and the terms of this coverage. It just didn't jive with the company's policy.

Jamie, So there was proof, the only problem is to get the money from the US (or canadian) based insurance company to Bonaire. Write a claim report, have correspondence between the US and Bonaire... I think I understand the point of the rental agency...

But than again, it's just my 2 cents.

Maybe Marc or some one else from a carrental agency can step in and explain???

Let me indeed clear something up here. Leif, we don't even TRY to avoid dealing with insurance companies abroad... We simply do NOT deal with, negotiate with, or even contact the insurance company of the renter for the reasons Martin has already stated (plus some practical others). If the renter declines the CDW insurance, he accepts FULL responsibility for the car, personally. If something goes wrong, he has to deal with us directly and pay for the damages before leaving the island. Whether or not he will get this money back from his insurance is also his own responsibility. We will provide the bill and contract as proof of what was paid and what for, which should be enough.
As to your "choice of insurances", consider this: If something happens and you have CDW (or additional insurance), you know for certain the most you will pay is the deductible. If you decline it, you will have to wait and see whether you will get it back or not. I don't know about your experiences with insurance companies, but mine are such that I always seem to get less than what I had expected (or feel I'm entitled to).

In the end, it's very simple. These are our terms and conditions. If someone has a problem with them, I'd rather he doesn't rent from us, because we are going to stick by them. We have to. And once you sign the rental agreement, so will you.

I hope everyone understands that if you get into trouble in a foreign country the smiles and friendly faces that accepted your dollars will be replaced by angry faces and a hostile police force. Bonaire is no different. If Marc is standing at the immigrations counter with a credit card charge for $5000 then you will sign it before you walk to the airplane. If this is legal does not matter. If the charges are inflated does not matter. If you will loose the cost of the airline tickets it does not matter. You will sign the credit card authorization or you will not leave and more than likely you will wait until funds are actually received in Bonaire. After many years of international travel I still feel a great sense of relief when the wheels touch down on US soil.

Just as I thought, it's more than anythign else just a matter of the convenience of the rental company versus the disparately low bargaining power of the renter. Even without a written confirmation, simply calling the toll-free number on the back of the credit card would yield the same answer. So, the REAL reason for the whole CDW/insurance issue is the the rental company does not WANT to deal with a large, legitimate U.S. insurance company. Could this stem from not wanting to be scrutinized for suspected fraud such as overcharging the value of repair or trying to charge someone for an entire TIRE (or tyre, depending on your point of origin) when a much cheaper inner tube or even just a patch is all that is called for? The more Marc says about this the more I am convinced of my position.


Filling out forms and experiencing some reasonable delay is just a fact of life in the rest of the world. Surely those doing business on Bonaire can understand that business requires adequate documentation. Gee, now that I think about it, the car rental contract was the single longest, most intricate commercial document I experienced on my last vacation. It had more text and clauses than my airline ticket, dive shop rental and hotel room contract combined. And now Marc says AB simply WON'T be subjected to the exercise of filling out anyone else's form? I say that attitude most surely confirms that I will take my business elsewhere in the future.

As I understand it, there are a variety of auto rental agencies on the island. I'm sure they'd appreciate the business.

Leif, are you aware that it is standard practice for many big, legitimate, medical insurers to ignore doctor bills until they are sent a fourth time? Because most people get discouraged after three billings and give up. A big, "legitimate" company can ignore some franchised small potato rental company in Bonaire.
Do you have any concept of the import duty system on Bonaire, and many other small islands? Ask Larry how much duty he had to pay to bring his Harley down, your jaw will drop.

I think I just heard Marc's sigh of relief all the way up here.

Hey, I didn't say life is completely fair... but I try to shift the leverage a bit over to the side of the "little guy" whenever possible. I have represented both sides, so I understand where Marc is coming from. But to express the attitude that customers are generally either stupid or conniving goes against the whole character of Bonaire. If he had said that onerous policies are employed to protect against the 1% of tourists that can truly make life miserable (anyone remember Mimi?) I might not have ranted as I did, although I would still stand by my argument.

I'm with you, Seb and Marc. Seems to me when you sign for the car and decline CDW, you are responsible for the car and it's contents. What happen to personal responsibility? Why should a small rental car agency in Bonaire have to deal with your credit card company? Could you get stiffed on the charges, sure. Part of the price of overseas travel (and well worth it in my book).

I don't think things are different here in the states. My old roommate rented a truck, declined the insurance and had an accident. The rental company did not work through my friends personal insurance company. The rental agency went to him for their money and they expected him to deal with his insurance company.

What's more, if you have credit card insurance, and you've caused damages, the credit card company EXPECTS you to pay for the amount *with your card*, and claim it from them. Of course they do! That's where they make their money from! They get their 4-5% commission of the damage amount, and will probably have insured themselves against these cases with a real insurance company. Mind you, as a merchant we are not allowed to add those 4% to the bill at the risk of loosing our merchantship. So it's coming out of our pocket.

And don't get me started on the costs of wiring money from the US to here... It's not a matter of "don't want to", it's a matter of "can't".

Leif, if we are tough about this (and I think I can speak for all rentals here), it's because of the lack of responsibility shown by customers when it comes to these matters. In the past year I've come across maybe 2 or 3 people who readily admitted they had done damages and would take their responsibility... and even then I'd had to think really hard who they were. How can I trust a customer to settle his affairs when he gets home, if he won't even admit he's made a mistake? You won't believe the excuses I've heard, even if the proof was right there. The single most heard answer after we have found something (anything) wrong with a car, is "I'm not paying for that". Now, it maybe doable for a large US rental company with thousands of cars to let such things pass, but we simply can't afford that. Not if we don't want to have to double the rental fees, which I'm sure nobody wants.

Points all made, all around, I think.

I have re-checked the research.

The credit card-provided collision damage insurance...

1. WILL communicate with rental agencies. It requires the card holder to file a claim form, but this can now be done online. All the rental company has to do is cooperate with the renter and/or Program Administrator by providing appropriate details and documentation;

2. Can PAY the rental company, the cardholder or the place where repairs were done;

AND

3. Can PROTECT the cardholder, b/c if the cardholder is, notwithstanding the coverage, forced to pay directly and overcharged or otherwise ripped off, the insurance company can go after the culpable party (think "army of lawyers").

Collision insurance sold at rental agencies is widely considered a bad business deal for the renter - so much so that many corporate, government and academic policies require employees to rely on credit card collision insurance instead of rental company-pushed policies explicitly, especially since the premium is typically unusually high. Nothing about the collision coverage provided through a credit card stiffs the rental company or charges it a % for the privilege. Indeed, the rental company practice of insisting that the renter pay directly and immediately instead of colllecting through the insurance is the only thing that would cause the vendor-side transaction processing costs to apply.

And the idea that the insurance routinely avoids paying sounds like bunk to me. This anecdotal evidence comes from another, similar forum under a very similar topic:
Posted 2/8/04
"Another note regarding the coverage. One of our forum members did test this by 'totaling' a car. The visa insurance worked as advertised. The police were also friendly and helpful even though a police vehicle was also 'totaled'."
http://playadelcarmeninfo.com/forum/viewtopic/t-6155.html

Anyway, enough for now. Everyone's entitled to their own position on this.

I rented a car last year (in the U.S.) with my gold VISA. Upon checkin, the rental car agent claim there was a dent in the rear bumper..although I knew nothing about the dent, I turned the rental company claim over to VISA. VISA was very helpful and paid as advertised. The only think I had to provide to VISA was a statement from my insurance company indicating my deductable. The rental company did not DEMAND payment at the scene.

The biggest issue that bothers me with insurance in Bonaire are the special clauses that are typical of the Bonaire rental companies which spell out items that CDW doesn't pay for...stolen tires, batteries, broken windows...which are the common problems in Bonaire. Unless you have "the big one" with a rental car, the CDW may only provide a false sense of security

I support Leif's position.

That's all fine and good, but let's try putting it to practice on a Caribbean island, shall we? No, let's not, because it WILL cost us money and an incredible amount of time. Heck, I've sent mails to Amex and Mastercard requesting info on this subject, and got back NOT ONE reply.
Besides, you act like what we do is unheard of. Ever been sick or hospitalized abroad? There are still many countries where you have to pay for those costs on the spot, save the receipts, and claim it from your insurance.

Marc, I was ready to quit this thread, but now feel specific rebuttals are due regarding your last:

1. 1-800-MC-ASSIST and 1-800-VISA911. These numbers can be located easily by following links in a post YOU made on this board on 12/9/03. Just ask for car rental insurance program administration.

2. I never said Bonaire is the only place that rental agencies push CDW coverage to renters' disadvantage. Happens a lot in Europe, and even in the U.S. and Canada too. Perhaps I'm just a Bonaire sycophant, but I thought Bonaire was better than that. I know, Bonaire is still part of the real world...

3. Property damage insurance is entirely different from health care insurance. Further, I seriously doubt that any doctor would refuse care, nor threaten to prevent a tourist from making it safely home if they simply cannot pay cash. My wife needed medical care on Bonaire, so indeed, yes, I have experienced foreign medical care. I was impressed. The care was so wonderfully affordable I didn't even bother with a reimbursement claim. A doctor visit, prescription and the drug needed was less than $30. That wouldn't even buy one 1/10th of a replacement wheel on a rental car, apparently.

Get a donkey.

I would suggest that Leif needs to follow that old American Indian adage and 'walk a mile in Marc's mocassins' before making so many absolute statements about what should/can be done by a business on Bonaire.

Enough, for heaven's sake.

May this thread rest in peace.....

Amen (said the atheist )

Seb, that is the best idea I've heard all week.
Glen, I'd love to. Is CDW required for rental of mocassins?
Carole, I concur.

As someone who is in the insurance industry, most of the speakers at the continuing ed seminars I attend generally recommend buying the CDW insurance .... if you don't have a Diner's Club card or other rental car insurance that provides primary coverage. That's even for us insurance agents. If you do a lot of traveling and can justify the annual card fee ($95 I think), you get primary CDW on rental cars (I don't think it extends to PU trucks or vans). http://www.dinersclubnorthamerica.com/US/en/diners_club.jhtml?pageId=us_02_04_03_05

I think the American Express Corporate card also offers primary coverage for a just a few bucks. http://www10.americanexpress.com/sif/cda/page/0,1641,601,00.asp

But in the absense of that, buying the CDW coverage can save you alot of hassle.

The advantages ...
1. It's convenient; no loss to worry about.

2. No deductible applies. Remember CDW is not insurance, it is a hold harmless agreement where the rental car company agrees to not hold the renter responsible for damage to the car.

3. The renter is not responsible for loss of use. Without CDW, you'll also be responsible for the rental car companies loss of rents from having the car out of action.

4. No long distance claims handling. It's not fun!

5. No claim is filed against the insured's insurance company.

The disadvantages
1. The cost ... anywhere from $9 to $24 per day.

I think it's a tough call all around. Each circumstance will dictate the situation.

I tell you for a fact that many rental car companies rely on tourists to give up trying to understand there often confusing and wordy policies because they want to get on with their vacation. Who wants to sit at a rental car counter with an employee who give you the sighs and somber looks every time you question their policies especially when your on vacation?
But what can you do, they know you are held hostage by the fact that you need a rental car and are most likely going to give in to their terms. Finally, when they do make a claim against you and you pay their inflated charges, do they really fix the cars?? Heck no!! They leave it like it is and keep the cash unless it is a major repair. Look at what your renting. Someone paid for that dent in it at one time or another.

Mike M.

Yeah, we're just a bunch of crooks out to rip people off and then laugh in their face...

Easy, Marc!! Non carborundum est. :–)

Marc, I'm glad you finally admit that... Just Kidding...

It does make me wonder: Why would someone rent a car if that will cause so much stress?? Just go out and buy one, you can leave it at the airport waiting for your next trip down or try to sell it before you leave....

Oh for goodness sakes, some folk need to grow up and learn to research their trip before they go, and let go of their petty peeves before they leave. Pick up the phone and call your credit card company and find out the facts. Most rental companies on Bonaire have websites with rates with and without insurance costs, all the math done for you.


"I tell you for a fact"? Cite your source, sir.

Mike M,

The time to review all the options on your car rental agreement is NOT while on vacation. Review your options with your credit card company(s) at home, whilst sitting in a comfy chair, with notepad and pencil in hand, before you travel to a foreign country and rent a car. Present him/her/them with a worst case scenario and then base your acceptance/non acceptance of the CDW based on this calm, rational discussion. I did that when I had to rent a car in the states and I was confused about exactly what is and what is not covered by AMEX, VISA, and MC. I keep the info I need on a slip of paper in my wallet lest I have a 40's moment and forget.

I guess there was a resurrection here.....I thought it had "rested in peace"...apparently not! Carole

I do my research at home, in fact I rarely get ripped off because I learned to double check at the rental agencies to see if the price I am paying is what I was told or saw on the web site. I tend to read what I am signing, THE ACTUAL CONTRACT. Not some web site. I have had many rental car experiences that were good. But there are plenty that aren't. When I was in playa del carmen trying to rent a car from several places that the CDW insurance rates changed by the hour or the fast talking on what they would cover and not cover. Or when I was on the Virgin Islands and the AVIS rental car attendant said just leave the keys without anyone checking the car. But they tried to imply that a certain scratch was not there before. Or when I was in Moscow and the rates suddenly changed due to the fact that my car was not available anymore, shall I go on.....Oh, we only accept Mastercard Gold for CDW otherwise you have to pay for it.... it is mandatory I was told.

OH, I did all the research and talked to them. Everything was fine till I got there..... I don't have any pet peeves I just have experience....Be wary is my motto fo rental car agencies. And PRAY if anything happens to the car.

Mike M.

Marc,

I never said you were crook specifically and there are exceptions. I believe that for every 3 rental car agencies only one of those three are honest. :-) See I am reasonable.

Maybe you can change my mind when I put a bowling ball size dent into a car I rent from you. If everything is fair then I will say, "Marc runs a good business." ;-)

Tell Seb to relax. Growing up is what made me like this.

Mike M.

Isn''t it about time that this thread was formally declared dead?

My apologies all. No more posts from me.

Mike M.

It's nothing personal, Mike....you know that, I hope! Ayo. Carole

Mike, I didn't feel attacked or insulted personally. You say one in three, but I know my colleagues and I can't think of a single one that would deliberately rip someone off. Sure, there are discussions and some follow their terms&conditions more rigidly than others. But "fair" also means "taking responsibility" for something that is not yours to do with as you please. "Fair" would be to pay for that dent, and for us to repair it when there is time; not sooner, if it's not absolutely nescessary, because we won't charge for the days the car is in the workshop and can't be rented.

Be sure to keep on posting, but I can't tell Seb to do anything I'm afraid (I can ask politely though)

Mary, since you mentioned the COMFY CHAIR, all I can say is "noone expects thee Spanish Inquisition!"

Marc
lol at the seb comment. I will personally say that we have rented 2 times now from ab and they are wonderful. First time the guy drove us to the belmar to show us where it was thought that was very nice.
2nd time there truck was ready and waiting when we got there hubby is always in a rush to jump off the dock at the belmar that as soon as we make it through customs he running across parking lot while I get bags so he can hurry to belmar to jump off the dock and go swimming

Marc,

I always believed in, "If it's my fault, I will make it right." But when you see scratches on the side, dents on the front and sides, pieces of molding missing, and rattling over every bump, it is hard for me to believe that they get things repaired and then try to say that one of those scrapes wasn't there before. It just kind of puts a damper on your vacation with your family when you feel you are being blamed for something that you didn't do.

However, it's true not all customers believe "owning up" either. Just a thought, next time anyone is in St Thomas, rent a car with Avis and tell me the condition of your vehicle. I would like to know as an afterthought.

When I get to the island I want to rent for a week or so till I can find something cheap to buy.


MikeM.

Just one more thought on this rental car theft/damage thread...Before we left for Bonaire, I emailed the manager of Budget rental car knowing that our truck would be rented from them. I expressed my concerns about the problems and what can we as the renter do to try and keep things from happening while we are diving. His suggestion was to park where we could watch our truck. I emailed back and asked how we could do this at 60 feet under the water? His response then was "if we were so concerned about the problems, then perhaps we shouldn't rent a truck - in fact, perhaps we shouldn't even come to Bonaire!" This was not very reassuring at all. We did continue with our rental and used the lock/chain method for the spare that we learned about on this site and kept nothing but our tee shirts and a bottle of water and extra tanks in the truck with doors unlocked and windows down. We did not have a single problem. But we had paid for the CDW in advance to just protect ourselves a little more - an extra $100 added to the rental and if we had a problem, it would have been another $300 deductible! But all in all, everything worked out well even if the manager has an attitude!

please let this die

I think Lt. Columbo is running this thread...Oh, just one more question/thing.....No mas, No mas!!!! Carole


PS Thanks for the info, Debbie. Glad it all worked out well for you. I, too, buy all the coverage available...I'm in the insurance business and really don't want to go thru the "claims hell" of trying to recoup monies, etc. cb