quiltman

There was another thread on this subject recently where we had the same discussion.
I always used National when renting in USA and booking from UK. Price quoted included all insurances and they never took more than I was quoted. In Europe it's fairly standard to pre-auth a security/damage deposit and has been for many years. There are companies who will insure for all the excesses , just google "car hire excess insurance" . Very cheap compared to the rental companies add ons for the same cover.
Oh, heck , here's just one in the UK
https://www.icarhireinsurance.com/

Enjoy your trip!

dbd33

That hasn't happened to me when renting from Hertz in Ireland, America, Canada, the Netherlands, Malaysia, Australia, England, Belgium and other places I've forgotten. I have sometimes used other rental companies, again without such bother. I use Amex which has no limit so that may be a factor.

I've had claims, btw, they were settled without hassle or charge.

bc2015

Yeah this was Avis (which is why I said YMMV), seems like Hertz are good for declining CDW from a brief google search.

Roberto1980

Ah, pity.