Rental car insurance

Jan 2, 2015
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0
1
I am a american citizen traveling to sdq this June and will rent a car via the airport. I have rented here before and they always hit me with an insane amount of extra insurance. Even thou I use my amex which should cover any damages.....I know that I need extra insurance just incase I hit someone and wish not to go to prison....but do I have to take all the extra insurance or is there some I can leave out. I am a very careful driver....thx
 

irsav

Well-known member
Jan 26, 2019
704
106
63
I am a american citizen traveling to sdq this June and will rent a car via the airport. I have rented here before and they always hit me with an insane amount of extra insurance. Even thou I use my amex which should cover any damages.....I know that I need extra insurance just incase I hit someone and wish not to go to prison....but do I have to take all the extra insurance or is there some I can leave out. I am a very careful driver....thx
It is their favorite scam.
Amex covers you well. Fight hard!
 

carlos

Super Moderator
Staff member
May 29, 2002
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Amex has pretty good coverage and you don't need the extra insurance. Log into your Amex account and look up what it covers. The coverage amount varies by card but I can tell you from personal experience that you don't need to pay the rental company for what Amex already covers.


good luck
 
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irsav

Well-known member
Jan 26, 2019
704
106
63
Pay for rent car in DR with AMEX only!!!
Fight hard their "supplemental insurance" scam.
 

irsav

Well-known member
Jan 26, 2019
704
106
63
Another their recent scam is " MANDATORY ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM".
Reject it too !!!
 

melphis

Living my Dream
Apr 18, 2013
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I have always refused the additional coverage when I rented cars. I went so far as to have my CC company send me a letter explaining to the rental agency in great detail that I was covered.

More people have to complain on line about what is going on before company's like Avis or Hertz grow a set and start pulling signs and franchise agreements. Unfortunately in today's world greedy companies only respond when they get bad publicity
 

richgelber

Newbie
Jun 13, 2018
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I am a american citizen traveling to sdq this June and will rent a car via the airport. I have rented here before and they always hit me with an insane amount of extra insurance. Even thou I use my amex which should cover any damages.....I know that I need extra insurance just incase I hit someone and wish not to go to prison....but do I have to take all the extra insurance or is there some I can leave out. I am a very careful driver....thx
There is something important to remember. Your Amex will pay for damages to YOUR car and not any damage you cause to others. It is vital to purchase liability coverage. Without it you have the chance of sitting in jail while the issue is sorted out.
 

reilleyp

Well-known member
Dec 12, 2006
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Everyone is free to make choices, but remember that people drive like fools in the DR. Just imagine showing up at the rental car counter with the keys to the car, and a photo showing the car bent in half somewhere about 20 miles up the toll highway in a ditch, along with a photo of the other car in the wreck, and the owner of the other car screaming at you, insisting it was your fault. You then calmly tell the Avis guy that you have a plane to catch and the American Express will be in contact with them manana to straighten everything out. You are not going to get on the plane.
 
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carlos

Super Moderator
Staff member
May 29, 2002
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Everyone is free to make choices, but remember that people drive like fools in the DR. Just imagine showing up at the rental car counter with the keys to the car, and a photo showing the car bent in half somewhere about 20 miles up the toll highway in a ditch, along with a photo of the other car in the wreck, and the owner of the other car screaming at you, insisting it was your fault. You then calmly tell the Avis guy that you have a plane to catch and the American Express will be in contact with them manana to straighten everything out. You are not going to get on the plane.

I can't think of any country where you only show up with a picture of a car and expect to leave on the next flight . I remember renting a car once and the agent telling me they found something wrong under the car (something with muffler or close to the muffler). I said I did not notice anything but that I had a plane to catch and they can inspect it further and talk to AMEX.

Agent told me no worries and that they would email me if any issues before contacting AMEX. Never got an email nor did they ever contact AMEX. I am sure it would have been a different story had I shown up with no car but that is expected in most parts of the world, not just DR.

I gave the OP a link to the AMEX car rental policies by card. He should start there before making a decision on buying additional insurance.
 
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cavok

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Jun 16, 2014
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If you don't show up with a police report, you will not leave without paying and your credit card company won't reimburse you either.
 

irsav

Well-known member
Jan 26, 2019
704
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63
There is something important to remember. Your Amex will pay for damages to YOUR car and not any damage you cause to others. It is vital to purchase liability coverage. Without it you have the chance of sitting in jail while the issue is sorted out.

This statement IS NOT correct.
By Law EACH AND EVERY rental car in the DR has a LIABILITY INSURANCE.
 
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MiamiDRGuy

Bronze
May 19, 2013
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Every time if you rent a car, I mean EVERY rental agency will mandatory add "LIS" as Liability Insurance Supplement" and that claims protect other parties to sue you, they run $9.95 a day and then they will require you to add CDW which cost $32 a day, yes $32! I rented many times in USA and the rates are at least $9 or less.

Even all of the agencies in DR will not accept third party because that is the only way they can fool you to make YOU purchase their worthless coverages so they can make commission on it.
 

keepcoming

Moderator - Living & General Stuff
May 25, 2011
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Based on personal experience, check with with your cc company. In this case Amex, different cards ( gold, silver, platinum member, etc...) have different rental car coverage policies with Amex.
 

cavok

Silver
Jun 16, 2014
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Don't rent a car in the DR unless you speak some Spanish, know the laws, the roads, and are prepared for the frequent disregard of traffic laws and regulations and the crazy drivers here. Use private taxis and public transportation if at all possible.
 
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Jan 2, 2015
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Every time if you rent a car, I mean EVERY rental agency will mandatory add "LIS" as Liability Insurance Supplement" and that claims protect other parties to sue you, they run $9.95 a day and then they will require you to add CDW which cost $32 a day, yes $32! I rented many times in USA and the rates are at least $9 or less.

Even all of the agencies in DR will not accept third party because that is the only way they can fool you to make YOU purchase their worthless coverages so they can make commission on it.
Thank you guys for all the info.....they tell me it's the law to purchase all the extra insurance even thou I paid for extra insurance via Expedia and ofcourse use amex is this true??
 

DR Solar

Bronze
Nov 21, 2016
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Check with your home insurance and if using a Credit Card. Most likely you are covered and don't need local rental extras.
 
Jan 9, 2004
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Based on personal experience, check with with your cc company. In this case Amex, different cards ( gold, silver, platinum member, etc...) have different rental car coverage policies with Amex.
Good advice..........because not all Amex cards are created equal and for enhanced protection you must enroll;



Also, be aware of coverage gaps (glass/tires) and deductibles if you have insurance coverage on your primary vehicle.

Read the fine print of your cc before you rely to your detriment about coverage. Some refuse coverage in certain countries and exclude certain types of rental vehicles.

Finally, no cards provide liability insurance to anyone outside your vehicle who may be injured or whose property you damage.........and you should ask about the coverage limits on those liability policies the rental companies sell you.

Of course few do this, most are on vacation and all the things they should do are forgotten..........and then every now and again a rental horror story makes the rounds here and elsewhere.


Respectfully,
Playacaribe2
 
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LTDan

Member
Apr 29, 2021
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SDQ
I am a american citizen traveling to sdq this June and will rent a car via the airport. I have rented here before and they always hit me with an insane amount of extra insurance. Even thou I use my amex which should cover any damages.....I know that I need extra insurance just incase I hit someone and wish not to go to prison....but do I have to take all the extra insurance or is there some I can leave out. I am a very careful driver....thx
I used to rent cars on a regular basis here, the driving and most roads are the worst here, you can end up in jail if you're in an accident and don't have the right insurance, ever since I found out they have Uber here that's all I use, it's really cheap here, a few days ago I went from Boca Chica to a hotel on the Malecon in SDQ for only 600 pesos
 
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monfongo

Bronze
Feb 10, 2005
1,266
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Some yrs. back my X drove our rent a car through a small brick wall at the rotary in pop, 5 thousand $ of damage. I paid for the damage with my gold card, when I got back to Massachusetts i sent the paperwork from the rental co. to my ins. co. and to my cc company. I got paid by both, I made $ 4000 dollars . True story.
 
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