US help.

[invisible999]

Liability insurance while driving rental car

Hello folks,

If you rented a car during your US travel, how did you handle liability insurance matter?

There is CDW on one hand and then there is liability/third-party damages insurance. CDW covers only the rental car, it does not cover any third-party property - cars or buildings, as well any bodily harm/damage while operating rental car.

I am pretty much sure that rental companies are offering such kind of coverage, because it is their cash cow, but AFAIK, liability coverage is bundled with CDW - you can't buy it separately and when bough together, it starts from like USD $60/day. Makes the rental VERY EXPENSIVE.

Then, if you look at wordings of travel insurance policies - what I've seen here in Singapore - if liability insurance is covered, it excludes 'damages sustained while operating motor vehicle or aircraft'.

So, how did you deal with liability insurance matters? Is there any insurance which offers only this type of coverage? I'd be happy to check it.

So far, what I found is that the only insurance which offers liability coverage up to $500K is BUPA and it is USD $142 for every 10 days.

 

[Avizoa]

Hello folks,

If you rented a car during your US travel, how did you handle liability insurance matter?

There is CDW on one hand and then there is liability/third-party damages insurance. CDW covers only the rental car, it does not cover any third-party property - cars or buildings, as well any bodily harm/damage while operating rental car.

I am pretty much sure that rental companies are offering such kind of coverage, because it is their cash cow, but AFAIK, liability coverage is bundled with CDW - you can't buy it separately and when bough together, it starts from like USD $60/day. Makes the rental VERY EXPENSIVE.

Then, if you look at wordings of travel insurance policies - what I've seen here in Singapore - if liability insurance is covered, it excludes 'damages sustained while operating motor vehicle or aircraft'.

So, how did you deal with liability insurance matters? Is there any insurance which offers only this type of coverage? I'd be happy to check it.

So far, what I found is that the only insurance which offers liability coverage up to $500K is BUPA and it is USD $142 for every 10 days.

i book from carrentals.com which include cdw, in addition to that I also have insurance that can cover for additional cost that included in cdw.
There isn't really a need for getting car insurance from the rental company.
But for the toll pass, that is totally dependent on your car rental and the route you know you will be taking.

 

[invisible999]

i book from carrentals.com which include cdw, in addition to that I also have insurance that can cover for additional cost that included in cdw.
There isn't really a need for getting car insurance from the rental company.

Let me repeat because seems the question did not register properly - did your insurance cover third-party damage liability, like you caused the accident and the injured person required $500 000 surgery which the insurance would cover? Or the insurance did not?

We are NOT talking about CDW here. CDW is to cover the damage of the the car you've rented. Third party liability insurance at car rental counter is usually called LSI.

So my question - can one buy that insurance separately, not part of car rental or travel insurance.

Did I make my question clear enough?

But for the toll pass, that is totally dependent on your car rental and the route you know you will be taking.

Huh? What are you talking about?

 

[Avizoa]

Let me repeat because seems the question did not register properly - did your insurance cover third-party damage liability, like you caused the accident and the injured person required $500 000 surgery which the insurance would cover? Or the insurance did not?

We are NOT talking about CDW here. CDW is the damage of the the car you've rented, third party liability is called LSI.

So my question - can one buy that insurance separately, not part of car rental or travel insurance.

Did I make my question clear enough?


Huh? What are you talking about?

Yes it is definitely clear enough.
What I'm saying is that you can get insurance seperately and not part of car rental. As I was saying, some OTA rental car website does provide third party liability, only whether how much you are allowed to claim only.

If you think not enough, you can also go and buy insurance specially for rental cars only like Worldwide Insure, Rentalcover.com, InsureMyRentalCar

I hope my reply is good enough for you.

 

[adgjl321]

I'm renting a car in California + Arizona, I emailed to ask about the insurance and they replied this:

We would like to inform you that, generally speaking, for Hertz rentals in the USA we offer rates already inclusive of the below coverage:
- Loss Damage Waiver (LDW): full coverage for damage and theft to/of our vehicle, without any excess (except California and Nevada, where there is a non-waivable excess in case of vandalism-unrelated-to-theft of US$ 500.00 for California and US$ 2500.00 for Nevada);
- Liability Insurance Supplement (LIS): cover third parties and third parties' property up to US$ 1 million (US$ 2 millions in California and Florida).


So I'm quite confused...with the above, does it mean that I'll be fully covered? Is there anything else that I'll need?


-------------------

On another note, if I have 1 day in SF with the car, where should I drive to? Is Marin Headlands/Point Bonita Lighthouse/Kirby Cove etc worth a drive?

Or instead drive down to Monterey/Carmel? Prefer some scenic places rather than looking at museums etc for this day.


Some other questions:

1. Is there a parking app for San Francisco and LA that I should use to check parking availability and prices?

2. Do restaurants in US generally split the bill for you? E.g $100 bill but want to split 3 ways on a CC

3. Is Amex widely accepted in the US unlike in Singapore?

 

[invisible999]

If you think not enough, you can also go and buy insurance specially for rental cars only like Worldwide Insure, Rentalcover.com, InsureMyRentalCar

Clearer now.

As far as above mentioned third-party sites. Aaron (milelion) did an article some time ago and coverage in the chart was listed as following:

If above is correct, one should put that 'coverage' into garbage immediately because it does not really cover anything and specifically does not cover against liability claims.

 

[invisible999]

So I'm quite confused...with the above, does it mean that I'll be fully covered? Is there anything else that I'll need?

Kinda yes, because CDW and LIS will cover you against damages/losses for the rental card (CDW) and damages/liability for third party injuries and property damage (LIS).

However, should you buy this - another matter. Because if you pay like USD $30-$40 per day, it will only protect the car and liability, however your health/travel insurance is a separate matter.

So if you can get a travel insurance which provides standard travel insurance, plus rental car, plus liability, then it might be more cost effective to have that insurance then buy CDW/LIS at the car rental.

I am inclining towards buying BUPA for my travel and decline all insurance at the rental counter.

On another note, if I have 1 day in SF with the car, where should I drive to? Is Marin Headlands/Point Bonita Lighthouse/Kirby Cove etc worth a drive?
Or instead drive down to Monterey/Carmel? Prefer some scenic places rather than looking at museums etc for this day.

Driving and SF does not come together well. At the same time, driving from SF to Monterey via US-1 is very nice but it will take 2 hours one way, so it is up to you to decide which one you want. You can opt for driving towards north, via Golden Gate, Sausalito and vicinities and come back.

1. Is there a parking app for San Francisco and LA that I should use to check parking availability and prices?

2. Do restaurants in US generally split the bill for you? E.g $100 bill but want to split 3 ways on a CC

3. Is Amex widely accepted in the US unlike in Singapore?

1. Yes, but my knowledge is not up to date. Shiny might give the updated info
2. Yes, and they can put it on three cards. Then you have to calculate tips, etc...
3. Yes, pretty much everywhere, with few exceptions at Chinapoint joints

 

[adgjl321]

Kinda yes, because CDW and LIS will cover you against damages/losses for the rental card (CDW) and damages/liability for third party injuries and property damage (LIS).

However, should you buy this - another matter. Because if you pay like USD $30-$40 per day, it will only protect the car and liability, however your health/travel insurance is a separate matter.

So if you can get a travel insurance which provides standard travel insurance, plus rental car, plus liability, then it might be more cost effective to have that insurance then buy CDW/LIS at the car rental.

I am inclining towards buying BUPA for my travel and decline all insurance at the rental counter.



Driving and SF does not come together well. At the same time, driving from SF to Monterey via US-1 is very nice but it will take 2 hours one way, so it is up to you to decide which one you want. You can opt for driving towards north, via Golden Gate, Sausalito and vicinities and come back.

Thanks, will look into those. Shiny, any other suggestions you could offer?

My rate with Hertz include them all so I don't have to pay extra. Got a quite a decent deal I guess, 9 full days for under $400 for a big Group R car too.

 

[Avizoa]

On another note, if I have 1 day in SF with the car, where should I drive to? Is Marin Headlands/Point Bonita Lighthouse/Kirby Cove etc worth a drive?

Or instead drive down to Monterey/Carmel? Prefer some scenic places rather than looking at museums etc for this day.

Do take note that point bonita does not open everyday, it only opens on sunday and monday at specific timings only.

I would say drive to monterey, carmel by the sea has nothing much to do imo.
If you prefer scenic places, just drive down pch, anywhere along that route is scenic.

 

[adgjl321]

Do take note that point bonita does not open everyday, it only opens on sunday and monday at specific timings only.

I would say drive to monterey, carmel by the sea has nothing much to do imo.
If you prefer scenic places, just drive down pch, anywhere along that route is scenic.

Gotcha, thanks!

Also managed to get Caesar's Diamond just in time...free parking, dining credit and 2 free shows

What is the usual tip for a valet?

 

[Avizoa]

Gotcha, thanks!

Also managed to get Caesar's Diamond just in time...free parking, dining credit and 2 free shows

What is the usual tip for a valet?

nice glad that you manage to secure your caesar diamond, now go match with MGM so you can park around LV for free
you can always do the self pick up valet and not pay tip or just give 15% of the usual price

 

[jamietehc]

That’s a great tip - thanks bro!

 

[Shiny Things]

On another note, if I have 1 day in SF with the car, where should I drive to? Is Marin Headlands/Point Bonita Lighthouse/Kirby Cove etc worth a drive?

Oh yeah, I love this - plus you'll be able to wind up down in Sausalito, which is an amazingly cute little town.

The other alternative is to head down the 1 through Pacifica, Half Moon Bay, and then further south from there. You might not get all the way to Monterey, but you might end up in Santa Cruz which is terrific as well.

1. Is there a parking app for San Francisco and LA that I should use to check parking availability and prices?

2. Do restaurants in US generally split the bill for you? E.g $100 bill but want to split 3 ways on a CC

3. Is Amex widely accepted in the US unlike in Singapore?

1) Uh, yeah, but I wouldn't think too hard about it. The easiest solution is don't drive in San Francisco at all. (Also, use carparks - don't try to street park. Street parking in SF is a disaster.)
2) Sure.
3) Yep.

 

[kashanai]

Been about 7 years since I last went to USA.

Doing multiple cities over 1 month holiday self drive. East and west coast

Any recommended websites for cheap hotels and car rentals? For comparison

Or those usual Expedia / booking.com type ?

 

[Avizoa]

can consider all those motels chains i.e best western, super 8,days inn etc. along your path of your route. Either that or airbnb depending on which state you heading to.

 

[fzhfzh]

Been about 7 years since I last went to USA.

Doing multiple cities over 1 month holiday self drive. East and west coast

Any recommended websites for cheap hotels and car rentals? For comparison

Or those usual Expedia / booking.com type ?

I find that usually get from hotels directly is cheaper or on par. US hotels are mainly divided into 3 groups, Marriott, Hilton and Hyatt. Get membership in one of the groups and stocks to hotels in the group. You get member discounts and over time as your membership level increase free room upgrades.

 

[kashanai]

Hi , if a booking already have collision damage waiver at zero excess.

Is it still necessary to pay more for theft protection and third party liability?

 

[Avizoa]

Hi , if a booking already have collision damage waiver at zero excess.

Is it still necessary to pay more for theft protection and third party liability?

Third-Party Liability coverage does not cover any damage to the driver’s own rental car. Nor does it cover theft of the car.
Third-Party Liability coverage is for when they injure someone, or damage someone’s property, while they’re driving.

Collision Damage Waiver is a type of protection that limits how much a car hire company will charge for repairs.

Theft Protection is a type of cover used in car hire. Theft Protection covers part of the cost for replacing the hire car or covering the cost of repair if someone tries to steal it.

Every company has their own restrictions, you might want to take a look at the contract before signing.

 

[jamietehc]

Thanks for this!

Third-Party Liability coverage does not cover any damage to the driver’s own rental car. Nor does it cover theft of the car.
Third-Party Liability coverage is for when they injure someone, or damage someone’s property, while they’re driving.

Collision Damage Waiver is a type of protection that limits how much a car hire company will charge for repairs.

Theft Protection is a type of cover used in car hire. Theft Protection covers part of the cost for replacing the hire car or covering the cost of repair if someone tries to steal it.

Every company has their own restrictions, you might want to take a look at the contract before signing.

 

[Shiny Things]

Been about 7 years since I last went to USA. Doing multiple cities over 1 month holiday self drive. East and west coast Any recommended websites for cheap hotels and car rentals? For comparison Or those usual Expedia / booking.com type ?

Wow - if you’re doing an entire month you should be able to save some serious cash by being loyal to one chain.

The chains that tend to have coverage in American roadside towns are Marriott (through their Courtyard, Four Points, Springhill Suites, Residence Inn, and Fairfield Inn brands); Choice Hotels (bunch of brands, they’re on the Choice Hotels website); and Wyndham (mostly through their La Quinta, Days Inn, and Super 8 brands).

Do a little bit of quick searching to see which one of those has presence in the towns where you’re planning to stop over; then pick one chain of brands and stay loyal to it. Sign up for the frequent guest program and make sure all your stays get credited; you should very roughly be able to get one free night for every 5-10 nights you spend.

Make sure you book directly through the hotel’s website, too; don’t use Expedia or Booking or whatever. My usual strategy is to use TripAdvisor to find a highly rated hotel, then book it directly through the hotel’s website.

And also you’ll get better treatment! All other things being equal, hotels tend to give nicer rooms and nicer treatment to people who book directly; people who book through aggregators like Expedia or Booking.com get given the rooms out the back overlooking the garbage bins and the car park.

What routes are you looking at taking? I might be able to point you to some good places to stay.