Siouxie

If you are going back for a few weeks, would it be easier to buy a cheap car and then sell it when you leave? Just a thought.

Used for Sale in UK | Used Cars for Sale | Parkers

http://www.keithmichaels.co.uk/speci...insurance-faq/

Temporary car insurance for rentals: http://www.keithmichaels.co.uk/other...ary-car-cover/

Jerseygirl

I've never had a problem. I usually use Hertz but the last few times have booked through rentalcars.com. Excellent value...twice have actually been Hertz rentals. I use AMEX to pay...which gives me all the insurance coverage I need.

quiltman

I've just checked on the Enterprise UK rental site. Prices quoted include damage waiver, liability etc BUT all cars carry an excess of £1000 ( called a deductable in US I think?). you can buy excess protection cover at a cost of £11.99 a DAY. So, a sub compact, quoted at £99 for 7 days will cost, if you go for the excess protection , a total of £182.93!
The excess is common in europe and would be reserved on your credit card if you do not take the excess protection. My excess insurance used to cost me £45 a YEAR so well worth it. There have got to be similar policies available in Canada I would have thought.
Again, ask a broker or try the link to icarinsurance given by me and withabix.

scrubbedexpat091

Suppose the companies are more trusting in North America.. Or Alamo just is, I rent with them exclusively as they don't add anything above and beyond the rate + tax.

The hotel generally eats up what is left on the card, so if the car wanted a deposit too, we'd be screwed.

quiltman

To satisfy myself, I've just checked the alamo site. Their price for a subcompact INCLUDING CDW and Excess Protection is $211 for one weeks rental. That's telling them I'm a UK resident.
If I say I'm from Canada then they show cheaper cost, $168 , BUT then you have to add CDW and Excess at $37 per day if you want it. It may be different if you are renting in Canada. I just looked at US rentals. Sounds like you get a special deal as a regular renter.

scrubbedexpat091

We have coverage from our insurance company for rentals within Canada/US (never checked to see if they do outside of those 2) and the stuff they sell is all optional, so never needed to buy their stuff.

Sounds like the companies operate different over there.

beckiwoo

I would rather have the fully comprehensive insurance. How much extra would that be usually?

beckiwoo

Yep and it is much easier in my opinion. Excesses are normal with insurance. At least I could afford a car and insurance in the UK. With ICBC I have no chance. I much prefer the system in the UK when it comes to insurance (especially when you only have the choice of using one company for your insurance). I rarely rented only when I had an accident and the other side's company paid for the hire car whilst mine was in the shop getting fixed.

The price for enterprise isn't too bad with the excess waiver. At £11.99 per day it is probably worth it as you never know what could happen

Aviator

Also what is irritating in the UK with rental cars, you take it with what fuel is in it and bring it back with the same. Here we get them ull and bring them back full, so much easier that trying to not leave too much gas in the car.

Enterprise in Canada seem to be the exception and the one rental firm I avoid.

Jerseygirl

I've always had the choice...and always choose to return it full.

AlliF

Avis and Budget in the UK have the option to bring back full so you don't get charged. (they have different options so you can bring it back empty if you want to)

Jericho79

Fully comp refers to the level of "damage" to your car. E.g Fire only, fire & theft only, etc. "Fully comp" in the UK refers to "all risks"- e.g collision.

Comprehensive in Canada is different.

Fully comp does not mean you get Liability coverage too. As already mentioned, only the registered owner of the car can arrange Liability insurance. When you rent a car in the UK, the rental company covers the Liability exposure, but you can arrange the "damage" bit- collision, theft, etc.

dbd33

Me too. And, since there's no limit on the card, there's no concern about using the limit up. I've had to make a claim against the AMEX policy and found the service to be excellent.

scrubbedexpat091

Start with an old beater in BC and only get liability insurance and you can save a lot of money with ICBC, unless you have a car that is financed or still worth a decent amount of money, the optional stuff isn't necessary.

With our policy anyhow, the biggest charge is the optional stuff.

Aviator

You cannot buy liability only in BC. There is basic insurance and optional add ons. Basic has $200k of liability only. I would not have less than 3m liability no matter how old the cars is (we carry 5m). We would only save $400 total with basic alone.