Car rental snag in Ireland

Our family of 20 was planning a June ’11 visit to Ireland, where we would rent six vehicles. Our son mentioned that Visa would not provide insurance coverage on his rental, though it normally does when he uses that credit card to rent a car. Our daughter’s American Express card wouldn’t include insurance coverage, either.

Our own Visa credit card has always covered the insurance, but before we rented our vehicle we called the domestic hotline on the back of the card (800/698-0120), just in case. We were assured that we were covered. We booked online with our Visa card through Budget.

When we arrived at the Budget office in Dublin, the agent said, “I don’t care what they told you, you are not covered. Call them.”

We called the international hotline (302/594-8200), and a Visa rep again said that we were covered. At that point, the Budget agent asked us to speak to the rep’s supervisor. Drat! He was right.

The agent informed us that Visa does not cover auto rental insurance in Ireland, Jamaica or Israel. Because of this, we had to allow a “hold” of €20,000 on our credit card (this amount to be removed when the cars were returned).

Once I got back to the hotel, I e-mailed Visa and explained the situation and they responded by saying we were covered. I e-mailed them again, asking them to check with their supervisor, and got the same answer.

When I returned home, I called them and on my first try got a lady who knew we were not covered in Ireland, Israel and Jamaica. She assured us she would take the issue to management so they can better inform their people.

SANDRA SCOTT
Contributing Editor