LDW / LIS for US car rental booked in UK
If I book a rental car for a week in the US through the US website I can pay about $300 which becomes more like $550 if I take Loss Damage Waiver and Liability Insurance. But if I book from the UK website, I still pay the equivalent of about $300 but LDW and LIS are included in the price.
What gives? The hire-companies are apparently obliged to include LDW and LIS but why aren't they charging the same for it as they charge their US customers? Is it that much of a rip-off? Do few US customers take it because they have their own insurance? More importantly, is there a catch?
Best Answer
Disclaimer: As a car rental professional based in the UK (broker), I have a lot of insights when it comes to renting a car in both countries.
The answer is fairly simple: there are different rules in the USA for Americans and Canadians than for all other nationals in terms of insurance when hiring a car.
When a non American/Canadian citizen hires a car in the USA, it is mandatory for the rental to have included in the rate: CDW + Theft with zero excess + Third party insurance. For locals, their own insurance is accepted, therefore the car rental rate comes with no insurance at all. In some states there is a minimum requirement in terms of liability insurance.
A non us company cannot sell car rental in USA to American or Canadian citizens or US driving licence holders - because of the insurance differences.
Now, when hiring a car in Europe, it is mandatory for the rate to include Third party insurance and basic CDW + Theft protection with Excess. The excess varies depending on the car class you are hiring. If you wish to reduce the excess to 0 or to a smaller amount you can purchase extra cover either from the supplier or third party insurance. the 3rd party is cheaper, however works in a different way.
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Does my car insurance cover rental cars outside the US?
Most U.S. auto insurers won't cover you while you're driving abroad, with the possible exceptions of Canada and Mexico. So unless you have a credit card that offers rental car insurance, you'll probably need to purchase your insurance from the rental company itself.Can someone from the US rent a car in the UK?
Practical Rental/Driving Information As an American, you do not need an international driver's license to rent a car/drive in the UK. You will, however, need your passport and a valid, state-issued driver's license to present when renting your car.Do you need collision damage waiver when renting a car UK?
Collision Damage Waiver is normally provided automatically within a car hire package booked with a UK firm, although, if booking a car hire directly with a company or website that is based in the US, Canada, South America and some parts of Asia, it may have to be bought separately.Is LDW and CDW the same thing?
CDW is the same as LDW, or a Loss Damage Waiver. At Avis, and on our website, this waiver is more commonly referred to as an LDW. A rental car Loss Damage Waiver is one of several options that can be added to your rental agreement for an additional daily charge.Rental Car INSURANCE Cover TIPS // Car Hire USA/UK 🇺🇲🇬🇧
Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
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