Mallory

But why would I need the extra $25 coverage from Amex, if I already paid with an Amex card?

Ash UK/US

Mine started right at the counter, first they couldn't find my reservation, then charged me a location fee that was listed as being included on the website, then sent me to collection area where I was met by someone and told to wait until,he came back with the car, he was gone forever. Finally, the car had not been cleaned properly from the previous renter. Every time we have rented from Alamo the car has been detailed before it was given to us. Like I said lesson learned.

Ash UK/US

In the US you would not have to procees your claim via your insurance at all. In the US & UK it provide coverage (medical & death) to you and your passengers.

Jerseygirl

My problems also began at the counter. . I had a 45 min wait before I even got to the desk. I had ordered an auto compact....what they gave me was a sports car. I said I didn't want it and was told it was the only auto available. The body work was damaged in several places...and I don't mean scratches or dings...looked like something had hit it.

My husband has used Hertz hundreds of times and has never had a problem.

robin1234

This is all really helpful, thanks to all! Especially useful to know that by law UK rentals have to include 3rd party coverage, I didn't know that difference, thanks, Ash UK/US..

I will still be renting, but changed plans somewhat. I realise that in north Norfolk (Sheringham, Cromer and vicinity) we really do not need a car, as a lot is in walking range plus there is good public transport there, so we'll take the train to York from there and do a simple one week car rental, York - York, at the Europcar location at York railway station. I've priced out the two or three additional train journeys that entails, and I'll be saving several hundred pounds (savings in petrol will be additional to that.) Also save the long stressful distance driving, but still have the car for a week in the Yorkshire dales which will be good.

The Horticulturalist

Just back from a three week trip to Blighty.

I initially booked with Hertz as the quote came in relatively cheaply, I forget how much it was but I realised later it was not fully comp (CDW, theft and all that) so I cancelled and booked with Enterprise instead. I booked for 21 days at Edinburgh Airport with them, fully insured for GBP 256.

Where they try and sting you is with buying extra coverage at the desk for the excess amount on the fully comp, so if you have an accident or scratch the car then you will pay up to $1000 for the cost of repair. You are of course not obliged to purchase it and I had already bought our own cover for that, I did not want to have a bill for more than it cost to hire the car or be in any way out of pocket.

Read this article for more on excess insurance, I got ours from Questor, it was relatively cheap. Use Google UK to search for "Excess Car Hire Insurance"

http://www.guardian.co.uk/money/2010...hire-insurance

https://www.questor-insurance.co.uk/...re-excess.aspx

Mallory

There is always something going on with rental cars! Last year we ordered a mid-size with auto and AC. As soon as they saw my hubby they tried to make him take a manual, with the sob story that they were running low on auto, and would like to free them up for others that don't drive manual. Um - buy more autos for Pete's sake! We said no - it's bad enough driving on the other side of the road, without concentrating on gears. I could never drive a manual in England.

They gave us a lovely Peugeot SUV, which was nice, except it had that eco thing where the engine goes off when you stop at a light etc, to conserve fuel. Hubby found it quite disconcerting when you have to yield at a roundabout, then try to quickly gather some speed. It got good gas mileage though.

When we got back to LHR we fueled it up, and then I made hubby drive around Windsor castle, as we had a bit of free time. When we got back to Budget they tried to make us pay for another tankful! I got dissed for that one, and it won't happen again!!

cindyabs

always used autoeurope for my clients, they use whoever has the best deal based on length of stay etc. I always advised clients to check and see if they had any of their own coverage first before subscribing to car comapny's. Also, there's a surcharge for picking up at the airport.

Mallory

Thanks for the info about Auto Europe Cinday, as we've never used them before. Paid with Amex, so hope insurance will be okay.

TimFountain

Do not, under any circumstances, consider Green Motion. Biggest bunch of crooks out there....

- Tim