To ditch or not to ditch “free” car hire through TUI

[PPM]

Originally Posted by MuranDisney

We've been given a "free" car with TUI for our trip in May. 3 adults 1 child.

Apparently it's an Economy i.e Chevrolet Aveo which is tiny, I've been on the phone for 2 hours and 3 different calls trying to upgrade my car to one that fits more than 1 suitcase.

I finally got them to agree to a Ford Fusion (Mondeo) or Ford Escape (SUV), couldn't get it in writing and they wouldn't give me an Alamo ref no.

To upgrade the insurance with TUI costs about £400-£500! , so I shall just buy the insurance via Money Maxim for £45 instead.

I was originally going to scrap the free car and hire separately, but will just get the insurance separately now.

Feel exhausted, but happy that I won't be ripped off.

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Looks like you have Excess insurance which insures for the excess you have to pay the Car Hire Company ( e.g. the first £2000 pounds of any claim) . You would still need insurance as such.
However as there is no excess on hire cars in Florida you may find that the policy may be worthless. I’d check out exactly what is and isn’t covered on your policy.
Some folks on here have obtained uk based insurance, and are happy with it, but you have to check exactly what is covered, and if they pay out direct to companies, or you pay first and claim beck from insurance.
You may find the insurance is perfectly OK but please check fully.

[Mr Tom Morrow]

OP Your dates are still going to be slightly influenced by Easter even though most will have gone home. Those last few days of April skew the prices.
Virgin. Intermediate £393. Full size £424 Standard SUV £424 All these are fully insured and 2 drivers.

Andy @ discountfloridacarhire
Sizes as above £283, £319 and £407. Fully insured 1 driver.

Now you have all the other suspects such as Netflights mentioned above, usrentacar and uscarhire and Auto Europe.

What you want is a UK website, full insurances and all taxes.

But - Andy is coming out very well and makes Tui look like the rip off it is. Plus all these prices are with Alamo so another win win.

[Guest]

Maep, I feel the same to be honest, I'm Googling like mad to to try and find other people who recommend 3rd party insurance and what else I may get stung for.

It's either, use TUI and hope they give me the car I'm expecting - but use 3rd party insurance and take a risk or go with another company entirely for the whole lot. This could be a difference of £300-£400.

Peace of mind or save lots of money on an already expensive holiday- aaaaaghh!

[Guest]

Thank you for the info PPM.

It's like a minefield, I think I may call the 3rd party insurance companies tomorrow.

[Guest]

Just an update, TUI wanted £543 for fully inclusive insurance and that was on an Toyota Aveo or equiveliant! So I said cancel my “free” car hire and I will organise my own car hire. I have booked and paid for a Santa Fe or equivalent with Sat Nav from net flights (collecting from Alamo at Sanford) for the grand price of £359 😎... hubby and I are over the moon.

Good luck MuranDisney 👍🏼 I hope you get something sorted. Thank you to everyone else for their help, I am addicted to this forum already

[JanetteP]

Originally Posted by Mr Tom Morrow

Janette. I would book that 7 seater now. Prices with Brits for Oct are back on the rise. Up £2 already for the price you had.
Virgin is £555!

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I knew it was a good price! I'm on it - thank you

[Greyfriars]

Originally Posted by MuranDisney

Thank you for the info PPM.

It's like a minefield, I think I may call the 3rd party insurance companies tomorrow.

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Originally Posted by Maep

Just an update, TUI wanted £543 for fully inclusive insurance and that was on an Toyota Aveo or equiveliant! So I said cancel my “free” car hire and I will organise my own car hire. I have booked and paid for a Santa Fe or equivalent with Sat Nav from net flights (collecting from Alamo at Sanford) for the grand price of £359 😎... hubby and I are over the moon.

Good luck MuranDisney 👍🏼 I hope you get something sorted. Thank you to everyone else for their help, I am addicted to this forum already

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Most people on the DIBB do not recommend independent stand alone insurance as the third party cover is inadequate for the USA!
Do you really want to deal with a UK company should this happen on your holiday

Alamo Insurance had me in another car within one hour.

[Guest]

I have booked through netflights who are the broker, just as it would be through TUI. Our car hire and insurance are still through Alamo so if anything happened it’s them who we contact even for breakdown.

[Greyfriars]

Originally Posted by Maep

I have booked through netflights who are the broker, just as it would be through TUI. Our car hire and insurance are still through Alamo so if anything happened it’s them who we contact even for breakdown.

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Sorry
I thought you were going to arrange only your insurance through an independent broker. We always use Virgin or USrentacar for car hire although we are going to try Andy if his price is right.

Our car was damaged by a reversing truck delivering to a restaurant where we were having lunch.

[BevS97]

Netflights is fine.
The issue is with taking the free car and a separate insurance policy