World Economic Forum lists Spain as one of the top tourist destination sites in the world. This is measured and ranked by their Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Index. In fact, France outdoes Spain when it comes to being the most visited country on the globe. And it follows that its tourism industry has grown to be the second biggest. In this article, we will answer whether you need to buy a rental car damage waiver or not.
The Bakers
Jim and Bobbi are both in their 60s and are at a life cycle stage, “Empty-Nest.” This is where their children are all grown, have their own families, and live separate lives. Thanks to a hefty 401(k) Jim established early on in his younger years. They have managed reasonably well and have sent the three children to a respectable college. They have since paid for their family home, as well.
The couple has always thought of a grand vacation getaway, and the North of Spain was their dream destination. So when the opportunity presented, they immediately booked their flight and packed their bags. Jim, an avid fisherman and sailboat enthusiast, has a keen interest in the life of Juan Sebastián Elcano. He is an ocean explorer known to be the first man to circumnavigate the World. Mr. Elcano’s hometown is Getaria, in the Basque Country, in the North of Spain.
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On the other hand, Bobbi has always been on the aesthetic side. And throughout her life has kept an eye for fashion and the arts. Like her husband Jim, she also admired a confident Spaniard from that region named Cristóbal Balenciaga. He was born in the 19th century. And would, from then on, become the most renowned and influential name when it comes to fashion design. The Cristóbal Balenciaga Museum, on the couple’s “must visit” list, houses the most relevant creations of the designer. Even the mannequins draped with the clothes are a sight to behold in itself.
Travel websites recommend that driving around Northern Spain is one of the best ways to truly appreciate its splendor. So, Jim and Bobbi decided to rent a car to drive the entire coastline of the Basque Country. They look forward to the sights and sounds of historical landmarks and rugged cliffs. Also, the breathtaking beaches while getting a first-hand glimpse and feel of the charm of the coastal villages. And also their locals.
That car rolling down into the ocean looks just like our rental!
It was a scenic one-and-a-half-hour drive across visually refreshing mountain roads and picturesque highways. These are where quaint towns and villages tastefully dot the scenery. They were eager and excited as they came to a stop on a sloped spot near the harbor. To say the least, try the native delicacy – grilled fish freshly caught around the area. And, to be washed down with the natively produced wine, Txakoli, a low-alcohol, sparkling, and very dry white wine. Until the 1980s, this was only produced in homes with recipes from generations of families. People somehow stop producing sometime in the early part of the 19th century.
Barely into her second bite of grilled fish, Bobbi would see a blue Audi rolling down the street. She blurts out how similar the car looked to their own rental before it plunged into the ocean. After bobbing and weaving on the water’s surface, the entire car submerges in the water briefly.
Charged 30,000 Thousand Dollars
It could have been the sheer excitement. Maybe, also, it was the hunger. It could also have been just the result of a tiring day. But Jim could have sworn that he engaged the vehicle’s parking brakes. But admittedly, he failed to put the shifter on Park and left it in Neutral. The “electro-mechanical” parking brake in the Audi is a little different from what he uses back home. At the same time, his truck had a lever to tug at to engage the brakes. This European model needed only a flick of a tiny toggle switch to do the job.
The car was later recovered, or if you may, fished out of the ocean by a tow truck. The car rental company would later declare the vehicle as a “total write-off,” meaning repairing the car would be useless as the costs would almost be like purchasing a new one. Jim would contest that he did have the parking brakes on and that it could malfunction, causing the car to slide down the road. But a later inquiry finds the brake system in order and that the accident is due to a user error, dismissing his claim.
To make the long story short, they charge Jim close to thirty thousand dollars for the remaining book value of the car, which includes the recovery cost charged by the towing company.
Insurance
Insurance is a means of protection from financial loss, according to Wikipedia. As a form of risk management, it is used primarily as a hedge against a contingent or uncertain loss risk. Through a policy contract, the insurance company or insurer agrees with the insured in a give-and-take arrangement. This is where, for a sum representing premiums paid to the insurer, the payor or the insured is assured of financial protection through a reimbursement guarantee in the event of a specified loss.
Insurance is also equated to peace of mind. When one secures insurance, one is guaranteed peace of mind to a certain extent. That leaves room to focus on more important things. Like say, when one pays for insurance to cover a rental vehicle, this leaves out one of the worries in the travel related to a possible loss or damage to the rented automobile. When out on vacation, this will add to the enjoyment and happiness of the experience without having to fret about the safety and security of the rental car.
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In securing a rental, one should be wary as not all car insurance is created equal, so to speak. Of course, this is in terms of convenience and comprehensiveness since we already equated it with peace of mind and a sense of security. Let’s take, for example, one’s personal car insurance. Yes, it may cover and pay for damage or loss, but let’s not forget that it also comes with a deductible or an out-of-pocket payment that makes up a portion of the bill. The second option is credit card coverage. This is usually an attraction for renters, as it comes free upon using the card to pay the rental fee.
If one bothers to go through the beautiful print, one will surmise that this is not a “drop off the keys and leave” kind of arrangement. As one customer would find out the hard way, yes, it pays for the damage to the rental, but it does not include the “opportunity loss” or income loss counted per day, which the rental company would add to the bill.
Also, there’s third-party insurance coverage. Under this type of protection, the insurer covers damage to persons and objects apart from the car itself, such as injuries to passengers of another car or damage to personal property. But as with personal car insurance, there is also a matter of the deductible, and in most cases, one has to pay the damage claim upfront in the hopes of recovering as much as possible when the claim is filed with the insurance company.
Collision Damage Waiver (CDW)
Lastly, atop the food chain of rental car insurance options is Collision Damage Waiver or CDW, sometimes known as Loss Damage Waiver or LDW. This insurance coverage for persons renting a car fits the bill of “drop the keys and forget about it.” When one pays for CDW, the car rental company effectively waives its rights by overcharging the renter for damage or loss of the vehicle, subject to exceptions such as gross negligence and damage to tires.
The downside of CDW or Collision Damage Waiver is the expense. In most cases, the cost of buying CDW may exceed the rental fee and border on the absurd. Actuarial estimates for a damage pool with past risk experience considered would probably come out to just a few dollars per day, but the amount charged to the renter may very well form part of a more profitable undertaking for the agent and the rental company.
We’re here to help with Damage Waiver too.
But as the saying goes, “You can’t win ‘em all.” There is always a price to pay in achieving that perfect holiday getaway. Besides, there’s no need to sweat out the small stuff, you have to call the experts. Whether it’s about homeowner’s insurance, automobile insurance, or you want to ask for guidance from insurance specialists, a timely call for help is always critical.
So if you need sound advice, don’t hesitate to contact us. We will always make your life hassle-free by finding the perfect solution for your insurance needs.
Also, we hope you learned much about damage waiver in this article we wrote for you. We can assure you of quality insurance in Denver, CO, and throughout the United States by helping you choose the best carrier for your protection.