Alamo Auto Rental Insurance: What Uk Drivers Need To Know

When renting a car from Alamo in the UK, insurance is not included in the rental price. However, the company offers its customers a range of protection products, including Collision Damage Waiver (CDW), Supplemental Liability Protection (SLP), Personal Effects Insurance (PEC), Roadside Plus, and Personal Accident Insurance (PAI) International. These insurance options are not mandatory, but it is recommended to consider purchasing additional insurance coverage to ensure full protection in the event of an accident or loss. The specific insurance requirements and options may vary depending on the location and type of rental.

Collision Damage Waiver (CDW)

The CDW is usually offered when you reserve the car or when you pick it up. If you choose not to get it, you must explicitly decline the coverage. If you want to purchase it, you will pay an additional daily fee on top of the rental fee. The cost of a CDW is generally about $30 per day, but it can depend on factors such as the car's value, the rental location, and the type of vehicle. For example, you may pay more per day for a very expensive or luxury vehicle.

The CDW covers auto damage during the rental period, including weather-related damage, theft, and vandalism. It also covers any damage to the car while parked and accident-related towing. Additionally, it can cover the rental company's administrative fees and lost revenue due to the vehicle being out of rotation, also known as loss of use.

However, there are some things that a CDW does not cover. It will not cover damage to other cars, bodily injury to other people or your passengers, theft or damage to personal items in the vehicle, or interior damage to the rental car. It also typically excludes damage to the windshield, tires, and mirrors.

When deciding whether to purchase a CDW, it is important to consider your existing coverage. If you have personal auto insurance with collision and comprehensive coverage, or a credit card with primary rental car insurance, you may not need to purchase a CDW. However, if you don't have your own insurance or want to avoid potential gaps in coverage, purchasing a CDW can provide peace of mind and protect you from unexpected expenses in the event of an accident or damage to the rental car.

Supplemental Liability Protection (SLP)

If selected and paid for, SLP offers a combined single limit of $300,000 per accident for bodily injury, death, and/or property damage to others arising from the use of the rental vehicle. This coverage is provided through a combination of primary protection and an excess liability policy. The primary protection provides coverage equal to the minimum financial responsibility limits applicable to the vehicle, while the excess liability policy covers the difference between the primary protection and the $300,000 combined single limit.

It's important to note that SLP does not cover any loss or damage arising from the use of the rental vehicle in Mexico. Additionally, SLP does not cover bodily injury to the renter, AAD, or their blood relatives or family residing in the same household. It also excludes property damage to the rental vehicle, fines, penalties, exemplary or punitive damages, and any obligations under worker's compensation or similar laws.

The cost of SLP varies based on location, ranging from $8.00 to $17.00 per day on average. When deciding whether to purchase SLP, customers should review their existing insurance policies or consult with their insurance representative to determine if they already have adequate coverage for rental vehicles.

Personal Effects Insurance (PEC)

Personal Effects Coverage (PEC) is an optional additional coverage that can be purchased at the time of rental for an additional daily charge. It insures the personal effects of the renter, any additional drivers, and anyone travelling with the renter against the risk of loss or damage.

The benefits of PEC are payable in addition to any other insurance coverage held by the renter or passengers. PEC is calculated as a fixed sum per rental day, so the final cost depends on the duration of the rental. The exact amount covered by PEC depends on the rental car supplier, and it may duplicate the renter's existing coverage.

PEC covers the personal belongings of the principal driver, additional driver(s), and any member of the principal driver's immediate family. This includes protection against theft, loss, or damage to luggage, electronics, and mobile devices, as well as lost or delayed personal belongings and travel documents.

The cost of PEC varies based on location, averaging between $5.99 and $15.67 per day in the United States. In the United Kingdom, the cost is £5.42 per day, with a maximum coverage of 50 days and/or a total price of 200 EUR.

Roadside Plus

• Replacement of lost keys (including remote entry devices)
• Flat tire service (if no inflated spare is available, the vehicle will be towed. The cost of a replacement tire is not covered)
• Lockout service (if the keys are locked inside the vehicle)
• Jumpstarts
• Fuel delivery service of up to 3 gallons (or the equivalent in litres) of fuel if the vehicle runs out of fuel

Personal Accident Insurance (PAI) International

PAI provides the renter and passengers with Accident Medical Expense, Accidental Death, and Ambulance Expense Benefits. These benefits are payable in addition to any other insurance coverage the renter or passengers may have. However, it is important to note that the coverage provided by PAI may duplicate the renter's existing coverage. Therefore, renters should carefully review their personal insurance policies or other sources of coverage to determine if they require PAI.

The specifics of the coverage provided by PAI can vary, but it typically includes financial support in the event of accidental death, disability, and injury. This can include emergency evacuation and repatriation, hospitalization, treatment, rehabilitation, and recovery costs. Some plans may also offer coverage for infectious diseases.

PAI is particularly relevant for individuals who do not have health or life insurance. In the event of an accident, PAI can help cover the medical costs for the renter and all passengers in the rental car. Even if you have existing health or life insurance, it is worth considering that your personal policies would typically be the primary coverage. This means that PAI can provide additional protection once the policy limits of your personal insurance have been reached.

The cost of PAI through Alamo is typically around $5–11 per day, plus taxes and fees.

Frequently asked questions