Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
offeredthechanceto“buydown”thebasicdeductibletozero(foranadditional$10-30/day;
this is sometimes called “super CDW”).
If you opt for
credit-card coverage,
there's a catch. You'll technically have to decline
all coverage offered by the car-rental company, which means they can place a hold on your
card(whichcanbeuptothefullvalueofthecar).Incaseofdamage,itcanbetime-consum-
ing to resolve the charges with your credit-card company. Before you decide on this option,
quiz your credit-card company about how it works.
Finally, you can buy collision insurance from a company such as
Travel Guard
($9/day
plusaone-time$3servicefeecoversyouupto$35,000,$250deductible,tel.800-826-4919,
www.travelguard.com
)
. While technically valid everywhere in Europe except the Republic
of Ireland, some Italian car-rental companies refuse to honor it. Note that various states dif-
fer on which products and policies are available to their residents, and some car-rental com-
panieswon'tacceptTravelGuardbecausetheywanttosellyoutheirowninsurance—check
with Travel Guard and your car-rental company
before
you rent your car.
For more on car-rental insurance, see
www.ricksteves.com/cdw
.
Leasing
For trips of three weeks or more, consider leasing (which automatically includes zero-de-
ductible collision and theft insurance). By technically buying and then selling back the car,
yousavelotsofmoneyontaxandinsurance.Butleasesaren'tavailableinCroatiaorSlove-
nia—you'll have to pick up and drop off the car elsewhere in Europe (such as Germany or
Italy). Leasing provides you a brand-new car with unlimited mileage and a 24-hour emer-
gency assistance program. You can lease for as little as 21 days to as long as six months.
Car leases must be arranged from the US. One of many companies offering affordable lease
packages is Europe by Car (US tel. 800-223-1516,
www.europebycarblog.com/lease
)
.
