Upcoming Hertz rental in the U.S

[Brooke01]

Hi all,

Quick question. We head off to the U.S this coming Thursday - and will be picking up a rental car through Hertz in SMF.

I have nominated to have additional insurance of Loss Damage Waiver (LDW) added to the rental, but am wondering what else I need ? Previously, being paronoid about renting in the U.S, I have just told them at the counter that we will take "all extra insurance" (yep - and watched their faces light up ! LOL), but trying to be a little smarter this time - as over a week, the additional charges do add up.

I do have Travel Insurance through the AmEx Centurion card, which specifies -

"Cover is provided under this section for the following benefits below, subject
to the other terms, conditions and limitations set out in this document.
(1) We will pay any amounts You are responsible for under the Rental
Agreement, including the Deductible if loss is incurred during a Covered
Rental Trip, as a result of accidental damage, fire, vandalism, theft
or loss of use of the Rental Vehicle. This will apply whether You are
responsible or not for the accident.
We will pay You up to:
• AUD 70,000; or
• the value of the Rental Vehicle; or
• the value of the claim.
Whichever is the lesser.
We will pay the above in respect of any one (1) accident or occurrence and a
maximum two (2) claims per three hundred and sixty-five (365) days."

Don't want to get "caught short", but certainly want to make sure we are covered for everything (dents, scratches etc, accidents etc) - but without "doubling up".

Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Brooke

 

[chrisb]

Random rant: I've been researching USA car hire and it's just breaking my brain. They need a simple and clear option that covers everything.

From what I can tell you need LDW(protects the hire car) and LIS(pays for anything or anyone you hurt).

 

[chrisb]

Oh, one thing I read somewhere - if you plan to rely on the CC insurance you maybe asked to prove that you're covered. I doubt most people carry their CC T&C documents around.

 

[jdlover23]

I have been renting a Hertz car in the US, a month at a time for the last 3 months. There is no hard sell on the insurance, if you don't want it, they are fine with that.

If you decide to go with Hertz, there is a current promo with AA with quadruple miles on all rentals and you get a discount too, just look up AAdvantage under earn and car rentals

 

[AdMEL]

Brooke01,

A few observations/comments:

1. You are doubling up on insurance covering the rental car itself - your Centurion card coverage and LDW cover the same thing, the rental car itself.

2. You also need Liability Insurance Supplement (LIS), which what we call third party legal liability, to cover damage to other property and injury to other people (e.g. if you get sued).

3. Your card and most, if not all, travel insurance, specifically excludes third party legal liability where using a motorised vehicle, which would mean no cover when using a rental car.

4. Hertz provide Aussies with packaged rates including all insurances (LDW & LIS), often at lower prices than they offer US residents. Just checked SMF and they have the packaged rates, but not on all cars - packaged rate on Corolla, but not on Mustang convertible. I would have thought your rate would have included all insurance.

Hope this helps.

 

[drron]

The UK sites of the major rental companies offer all included rentals and usually much cheaper than US or Aussie sites.Though I use Avis not Hertz.

 

[robertz]

I've just come back from US and rented with Hertz.
Went through the same issues trying to work out what, where I was covered, then simply gave up and took all insurance when I booked the car.
In the end, I took the extra $70 as a bonus not spending another second of time trying to work it out.

On a side note, I rented with Hertz in ATL. It was one of the best Hertz experiences I have ever had. From pickup, having somebody walk us to our car, turn it on and switching on A/C so the car was cool when we got in (Was a 36 deg day) and helping to load in luggage, ($2 tip).
On returning the car, a lady told us to leave our luggage in the car, and she would drive us around to curbside checkin. (If you have been to ATL and their rental car centre, you know how much time and frustration this would save. She also got out and helped us unload our luggage.

Man, fantastic service.

 

[Maca44]

A little tip: when you pick up the vehicle, check it thoroughly for any damage whatsoever including scratches etc and if found, make sure the details of such are recorded on the rental agreement. Sounds like a lot of trouble, but two years ago I rented a vehicle from Hertz out of Seattle; noticed a small amount of damage, had it recorded and written on the agreement. I also took photos of the damage whilst still in the carpark at SEA. Vehicle returned after two weeks, checked in okay, but two months later received letter saying that the intended to debit my CC for $4,200.00 for the damage. Produced the dated photos and heard nothing further, so be warned. I now photo all damage, irrespective how slight.