Car Hire: Insurances needed for Australia?

[Gilfa]

I have booked my hire car for Sydney via Kayak[dot]com and on the voucher it gives this info.... but I am concerned they take a crazy excess. Also is there anything else not here that I am obliged to take insurance wise or something you would recommend.

What is included
• Collision Damage Waiver (CDW)
• Third-Party Liability (TPL)
• Theft Protection (TP)
• Uninsured Motorist Protection (UMP)
• Local Taxes
• Premium Location Surcharge
• GPS Rental
• Initial Tank of Fuel
• Unlimited kilometres.
• Up to 3 Additional Drivers aged 25 or over included.


Deposit / Excess Amounts
The car has a damage excess of AUD$ 6,000.
The car has a theft excess of AUD$ 6,000.

I previously purchased car rental excess insurance at www(dot)carinsurent(dot)com for my trip in Europe. I know that they offer coverage for Australia as well, but I am not sure if the rental company will accept this. Does anyone has experience with 3rd party excess waiver insurance such as this one?
Will appreciate your advice.
Thanks
Gil

 

[CanuckTravlr]

I have never rented in Australia, but based on the wording used, it seems to be similar to car rental insurance in North America or Europe, where I do have experience. It would appear that the rental agreement cost includes all the necessary insurance, but that there is a fairly high "excess" or "deductible" on theft or damage of $6,000 AUD.

In other words, if the car is stolen or damaged you would be responsible for the first $6,000 AUD. If you have a premium credit card, the deductible would normally be covered, provided you use the card to pay for the full rental. But check with your card issuer to confirm this. You can also sometimes purchase third-party excess insurance to cover it as well. Finally, the rental company itself will often sell an excess policy to cover the deductible, albeit usually at an inflated cost per day.

 

[Ken555]

I previously purchased car rental excess insurance at www(dot)carinsurent(dot)com for my trip in Europe. I know that they offer coverage for Australia as well, but I am not sure if the rental company will accept this. Does anyone has experience with 3rd party excess waiver insurance such as this one?

Yes, I bought third party insurance for Australia from Tripcover.com.au, and I intend to buy again for my trip next year. FWIW, when I picked up the car they didn't care that I had it, didn't want to see proof, etc.

Many credit cards do not cover Australia rental cars, as they do in other countries. For instance, I have the AMEX Premium rental coverage (for which I pay $17.95 upon each rental, up to 30 days) and it offers coverage "worldwide, except for vehicles rented in Australia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, and New Zealand."

 

[MULTIZ321]

Yes, I bought third party insurance for Australia from Tripcover.com.au, and I intend to buy again for my trip next year. FWIW, when I picked up the car they didn't care that I had it, didn't want to see proof, etc.

Many credit cards do not cover Australia rental cars, as they do in other countries. For instance, I have the AMEX Premium rental coverage (for which I pay $17.95 upon each rental, up to 30 days) and it offers coverage "worldwide, except for vehicles rented in Australia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, and New Zealand."

That's quite a few exceptions for "wordwide coverage".

Best Regards.

Richard

 

[Ken555]

That's quite a few exceptions for "wordwide coverage".

It's been that way for AMEX for many, many years. I know we've had threads on this topic for a long time. Basically, Mastercard and AMEX don't cover Australia. Some VISA cards do cover Australia...when I looked into it previously it wasn't worth using it compared to the modest cost of the third party insurance (and I think there were some exceptions, as Australia wants more coverage than we do I believe), but I may look into it again as at least one of my cards includes that benefit.

 

[MULTIZ321]

It's been that way for AMEX for many, many years. I know we've had threads on this topic for a long time. Basically, Mastercard and AMEX don't cover Australia. Some VISA cards do cover Australia...when I looked into it previously it wasn't worth using it compared to the modest cost of the third party insurance (and I think there were some exceptions, as Australia wants more coverage than we do I believe), but I may look into it again as at least one of my cards includes that benefit.

Keep us posted on what you decide.


Richard