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Reading others experiences with car rental and minimal damage (usually there before rental). I have called both of my auto insurance companies inquiring on coverage for me while renting vehicles in St Thomas. Both companies have denied me coverage stating - how can they be sure I rent in the U.S. Virgin Islands, also stating my policy doesn't cover me there. YET, I read blogs from others about problems with rentals in STT and they state their insurance in the states covered them. Please let me know which agencies covered rentals in STT so I can have some ammunition to fight with my company. I use Allstate and Germania. Thanks
Belly002:
Read your policy............if it excludes the USVI's (or U.S. Territories) then get additional coverage. Why try to fight your insurance company?
We use our American Express Card with the optional auto rental damage coverage (you must sign up ahead of time for this). It costs us $19.99 per rental (not per day) for up to 42 days and includes a 100% coverage for any damages incurred. It is primary coverage!
Also, a gold or platinum credit card may offer additional damage coverage, but check with your card company first.
F.I.
I agree. I don't see where there's a fight. Your policy either does or doesn't cover you for a rental in the USVI. It's the policy that you bought. When we're renting vehicles in the VI, our coverage is coming from the credit card company, not our car insurance policy.
Insurance is STATE REGULATED not federal. So it is difficult to answer a question like this. Bear in mind that you have two different contracts, your insurance policy and your car rental contract. It isn't unusual for the car rental contract to put conditions in the contract that most auto insurance, and credit card companies do not cover.
As an example, your personal auto insurance may cover you for body damage for a rental car. So far so good if you have an accident. But, the rental contract may have a diminution of value clause, that would require you to pay the rental company for the diminished value after the accident. Most insurance policies will not pay this portion of a claim.
The short answer is to buy the insurance offered by the rental company. The long answer is to carefully read both contracts and determine if you have coverage. In my opinion a good agent could help you, but I would not be comfortable with an Allstate customer service persons answer, get it in writing.
Wow that really puts a kink in things when you are tring to plan such a nice trip. I didn't have any problems with either company when I was there 2 weeks ago.
I used Avis rental company that is located in STT airport. They were great. I called my agent (not customer service) and he approved it with out a problem. I use Progressive Insurance. They have been a great company, been with them for years.
Good luck Belly002 and enjoy your trip. 😎
My auto insurance does not cover our rentals in the USVI. I have either purchased additional insurance from the rental agency, or do the rental car add-on to our travelers insurance policy. I just did this last week for our upcoming trip.
