Christopher Elliott is an author, journalist and consumer advocate. You can read more about him on h

By Christopher Elliott | October 19, 2011 | 2 Comments A s a frequent car rental customer, Parker Mann has endured rental cars canada 18 years of age countless sales pitches for optional insurance. But recently, the hard sell efforts have crossed a line, he says.
“The latest gimmick is to give the customer a false choice with the question, ‘Do you want the full insurance or the basic?’ the implication being that the insurance was required,” he says. “I’ve heard this line essentially word for word from three agents at two rental companies in the past year.”
“Think of it this way,” he told me. “If someone buys a loss-damage waiver and is involved in an accident and the car is totaled, it [costs] you less than $100. Without the [insurance] rental cars canada 18 years of age you lose a $25,000 car.”
Some states also limit how much a car rental company can charge for insurance. New York, for example, caps a collision-damage waiver policy at $9 a day, which is hardly enough to cover even a small ding in the rental, according to Barton.
If insurance is hardly rental cars canada 18 years of age profitable, then why push it? Numerous car rental insiders have told me that they’re evaluated based on how many optional extras are sold with the car, so maybe insurance is just one part of the company’s rental cars canada 18 years of age overall strategy of earning so-called “ancillary” revenues from a car.
I’ll never forget the intrepid car rental employee in Anchorage who, when I turned down the optional insurance, showed me large photographs of uninsured cars that had been damaged on the Alaskan roads.
“It’s always rental cars canada 18 years of age helpful when a consumer knows before renting a car what his or her credit cards might cover or own insurance coverage is and if it transfers to the rental vehicle,” says Laura Bryant, a spokeswoman for Enterprise.
It’s one thing to play word games or use scare tactics when trying to sell insurance, but quite another to lie. But that’s what Fran Hoshiko claims happened rental cars canada 18 years of age to her when she rented a car in Las Vegas recently.
Christopher Elliott is an author, journalist and consumer rental cars canada 18 years of age advocate. You can read more about him on his personal website or contact him at *protected email* . Got a question or comment? You can post it on the new forum .
Elliott is a consumer advice site published by Christopher rental cars canada 18 years of age Elliott. You can get quick help on our forum , contact me directly or connect with other informed consumers by signing up for my weekly newsletter , RSS feed or daily email updates .
Our underwriters Allianz Travel rental cars canada 18 years of age Insurance — The Allianz Travel Insurance rental cars canada 18 years of age company has built its reputation on partnering with agents all around the world to provide comprehensive travel insurance for their clients. Contact Allianz Travel Insurance for a comprehensive list of coverage.
AirportParkingReservations.com – When it comes to booking travel, people rental cars canada 18 years of age have learned to shop smart, using the web to find the best deals on flights, hotels, vacations, and more. At AirportParkingReservations.com , travelers can do the same with airport parking.
Luggage Pros – Luggage Pros offers a huge selection of luggage, bags, briefcases, handbags, laptop bags, travel accessories and more. It comes with a low price guarantee rental cars canada 18 years of age and free shipping. There’s rental cars canada 18 years of age only one place to buy your next bag: Luggage Pros .
refund.me - Helps passengers claim up to $800 per passenger rental cars canada 18 years of age for delayed or canceled flights to or from Europe, rental cars canada 18 years of age including on US airlines. With a success rate of over 94%, they are one of the leading passenger rights specialists in Europe rental cars canada 18 years of age and operate worldwide. Check your flight today!
ShamaTravel.com - Helping people make their vacation dreams come true for over 30 years. Plane tickets to river cruises, all-inclusive resorts to customized European tours, Mexican getaways to Caribbean cruises. No matter where you're going, Shama will help you get there! Finding the lowest airfares is my specialty. rental cars canada 18 years of age Email your request to *protected email* .
Travel Insurance rental cars canada 18 years of age – Squaremouth.com helps travelers easily and instantly compare all the major travel insurance plans. To ensure customer satisfaction, only companies that meet squaremouth.com’s strict requirements make it into the system. You can save over 70 percent on your next policy at Squaremouth .
Travel Leaders - As America’s largest traditional travel agency company, Travel Leaders Group delivers high-touch, personalized travel expertise rental cars canada 18 years of age to leisure and corporate clients through our various brands, including our flagship Travel Leaders . Our knowledgeable rental cars canada 18 years of age travel agents are dedicated rental cars canada 18 years of age to delivering the best travel experiences. It’s our heart and soul. It’s all we do. We look forward to serving you.
HOW TO BE THE WORLD'S SMARTEST TRAVELER is the definitive manual for saving time, money and avoiding hassles when you're on the road . It's filled with expert advice and fascinating cases that will make you the world's smartest traveler. Order your copy now.