weave

What they sell are Damage waivers, liability coverage( a promisary note to pay in case, but not actually insurance), etc.

And just about all companies have policies, where if it can be proven that you purposefully, or through a criminal act, decided to total they car, they will charge you for it, or not pay the liability.

Also, what you may not know, is that people automatically get state minimums as a secondary insurance, through the car company. You see, each car has to be insured, usually through self insurance by the car company. However, this is for liability only.

On a third note, car companies used to provide coverage for acts of nature, but many of them dropped that during or just after Katrina. Now, you must purchase the damage waiver from a lot of companies to cover acts of nature such as hail, or depend on your own insurance.

SkaldGrimnir

But I totally agree that this is an awesome tip!

mantari

pestie

I agree the sales techniques are laughable, but I guess they work. I'm know exactly what I need and don't need before engaging in any transaction, and no "easy speak" will sway me either way.

p.s. I take about 10 pictures on my camera phone of interior and exterior of a car before renting, with the car rental office on the shot. Never had any troubles, but I have proof of the condition should I need it.

jamesdenver

superlayne

r81984

I was under the impression that my own car insurance was that - it insured my car, not me as a driver. Shows what I know, eh? Or does that vary by state? I really don't know how that works.

pestie

mantari

esquilax

akira

Pupator

Them: "Do you want the damage waiver?"
Me: "No, thanks."
Them: "Okay! Let's go out there with my clipboard and document every little thing wrong with the exterior and interior of the car!"

They're telling you that you're on the hook if they overlooked a ding or scratches on a vehicle if they didn't find it while looking it over before you took the vehicle. Because if they notice it when you bring it back, they'll soak you for it.

Because _anything_ wrong with the vehicle would have been documented before you take it, anything that they notice when they return it that was not on the checklist is YOUR FAULT!

mantari

nweaver

But yeah, with insurance, all you need to return is the key (and maybe a part of the car, like the steering wheel or piece of scrap metal) and you're off the hook. You may be put on that companies shit list, but you won't owe anything.

yg17

joeblevins

DjDynasty

medalian1

Call me a fool, but I always buy the optional insurance. That way, if all I manage to return is a set of keys and the steering wheel, it's not my problem and it's not going on my insurance. Since the amount they charge you for the rental is totally arbitrary anyway, why not negotiate the best possible deal on the rental, take the optional coverage and not worry about the rest?

I am the same way as well. I try to minimize my long term potential losses (insurance hikes) with short term safety found in picking up the rental insurance for as low as I can get it.

zolielo

Budget refused to pay for any of the damage or to dispute the claim as the building was not built to code. Turns out that BUDGET doesnt "sell insurance that covers hitting low overhangs". FYI, be warned.

Furthermore, his insurance told him that he is only covered in trucks with (and i forget the exact numbers) under a 3 ton capacity. Luckly he had been with them for along time and they covered him none the less.

Bradley

I quickly realized that it was going to be way too probable that Budget would "find" damage to the car and start me causing problems. It's not worth it. I'll pay the "protection" money and avoid the hassle.

Of course, it's a different story when dealing with undamaged cars in the United States proper.

xtakesthesquare

never feel bad about disagreeing, especially when you know you're being put into a situation where your distaste for disagreement is being exploited to take money from you. once you know you're being taken advantage of, use the anger you feel to push back.

bokononist

Despite having the insurance covered by our credit card (and confirming this when we called ahead to reserve the car) the agent at pick-up kept telling us that we weren't covered unless we bought the insurance from him.

It was late, we were tired. We gave in.

But when we came home we lodged a complaint with the rental company and after a few days got a credit back for the insurance.

I was actually surprised with how easy it was to get our money back.

schmosef

Agreement has a diagram of the specific car model that has been chosen, with an exploded view detailing the replacement costs of the bumper, doors, windows, hood, lights, etc. $2570.40, $1628.33, $745.68, $124.68, $1053.24, etc.

Clerk says, "If you don't want the LDW initial here [in the margin near the diagram]... if you want it, it initial here [points in the margin further down]". Buyer sees all of the dollar figures, rethinks, and silently initials further down.

timmus

You will find that a lot of car rental companies borrow a few keys from how a hard collector works.

One. They ask trivial questions, or so it seems, but each thing tells how something can be paid, or gives a valid reason to upsell or collect

xxx"Do you want an SUV today?"xxx
No No No. This is all wrong.

"Where do you plan on visiting on your trip?"
I just plan on exploring the sights.

"You know, I can tell you a few great places, if you are interested."
Thanks!

"Is your family with you today?"
Yes, my wife, and my girls.

Two. Get the person in the habit of saying yes. People in the habit of saying yes, say yes more.

Three. The best salesmen in the car rental business, like the best collectors, do not ask questions, in regards to sales or payment, if at all possible.

xxx"I assume you'll be waiting bumper to bumper coverage?"xxx No No No. Again, wrong. Even in this situation, a question in regards to money gives an easy chance to say no.

"Since you're going to be heading to some of the sights, you'll need the bumper to bumper coverage. This will cover you in case someone does damage to your rental."

Four. Worst case scenarios are a salesmans friend, especially in regard to coverage.

"With the ice out there today, you need that protection."

Five. In cases where you say damage might occur, even in a hypothetical situation, place the blame on someone else. A driver always thinks he or she is safe, and they know they can control their own actions. But everyone understands they are unable to control the actions of others.

Be aware of techniques like this, and you can avoid them.

SkaldGrimnir

lihtox

archer117

Moral: there are alternatives to the rental car company's insurance, but be aware of the limits of those alternatives.

lihtox

mantari

timmus