rental car insurance in the US

[suparockin]

I backed I to a parked Harley Davidson today, driving an AVIS rental car in LA.

I have accepted LDW (loss damage waiver) at $35/day, does this mean I'm covered and won't have a big bill?

Its MLK day so AVIS is closed.

 

[robd]

I backed I to a parked Harley Davidson today, driving an AVIS rental car in LA.

I have accepted LDW (loss damage waiver) at $35/day, does this mean I'm covered and won't have a big bill?

Its MLK day so AVIS is closed.

Did you damage the Harley? My understanding is that LDW covers your car (excluding tyres & sundries) and SLI is for 3rd party property damage and injuries.

 

[suparockin]

Did you damage the Harley? My understanding is that LDW covers your car (excluding tyres & sundries) and SLI is for 3rd party property damage and injuries.

The bike only had a few hundred bucks worth of damage, I did accept 'Additional Liability Insurance' whatever that is?

 

[robd]

The bike only had a few hundred bucks worth of damage, I did accept 'Additional Liability Insurance' whatever that is?

SLI/ALI are the same thing. Similarly, LDW is the same as CDW. Bloody confusing

 

[markis10]

SLI/ALI are the same thing. Similarly, LDW is the same as CDW. Bloody confusing

No, CDW is not the same as LDW, CDW only comes into effect when you have a collision, if someone torches the car, steals it or damages it via means other than a collision, CDW will mean diddly squat.

 

[robd]

No, CDW is not the same as LDW, CDW only comes into effect when you have a collision, if someone torches the car, steals it or damages it via means other than a collision, CDW will mean diddly squat.

Does LDW include CDW also?

 

[markis10]

Does LDW include CDW also?

Yes, it covers loss regardless of type.

 

[GeorgeMM]

Just like you Tired Old Flyer we have never had an insurance claim in 40 years of driving hire cars in the US. I always take US cover with the fall back on my US credit card plus our Chubb travel insurance from Australia.

Hi Cove - can you give a pointer to the Chubb travel insurance product that you use? Also are there any issues with your US credit card for non US residents? I have read conditions saying that US credit card cover for CDW/SLI car rental insurance only applies to US residents. If that's not the case for you which card provides this?

i like your belts and braces approach and would like to do something similar.

 

[cove]

Chubb has a very comprehensive cover for business executives but I cannot cover my two sons as they are not in our business. We have about 10 covered including spouses and we use Cowden as our broker.
Now I book and pay using a US credit card and I tend to use Argus site to pick up Platinum or Gold cover.
My actuary friend told me a horror insurance claim that landed on an Australian who had an accident in the US. That person ignored all correspondence and was hit with a 20% of the costs back in Australia despite believing the other driver was 100% at fault. It came as an enforceable judgement.

 

[opusman]

Is the summary of this thread that unless you have a US credit card, there's no sensible option for renting a car in the USA except by paying the car hire company's daily insurance rates?

 

[GeorgeMM]

Chubb has a very comprehensive cover for business executives but I cannot cover my two sons as they are not in our business. We have about 10 covered including spouses and we use Cowden as our broker.
Now I book and pay using a US credit card and I tend to use Argus site to pick up Platinum or Gold cover.
My actuary friend told me a horror insurance claim that landed on an Australian who had an accident in the US. That person ignored all correspondence and was hit with a 20% of the costs back in Australia despite believing the other driver was 100% at fault. It came as an enforceable judgement.

Thanks cove

 

[serfty]

Is the summary of this thread that unless you have a US credit card, there's no sensible option for renting a car in the USA except by paying the car hire company's daily insurance rates?

No - if you rent though one of the consolidators (netflights.com, Arguscarhire.com etc.) , all insurances such as CDW etc. are generally included at a far better nett cost than direct from the Rental companies.

 

[cove]

Yes Serfty it can be a lot better net cost.

 

[cove]

What happens if the valet parking your hire car smashes it?
Definitely not an insured driver.....

 

[cove]

Found the answer over in Flyer Talk for the US. You are not covered!