Renting a car in Ireland is not for the faint of heart. Six of us were planning a trip and wanted two cars.  So the men began their research, each with their own style and favourite sources.  Notes were scribbled, conference calls were arranged, emails flew back and forth at a fierce rate.  In short, the old ladies were sure that there was more planning and angst than would be required to take a trip  around the world or launch a probe to Mars.  In the end, it was all worth it.

Here are some of the things they considered:

1. Automatic vs standard (automatic is about twice the price)
2. Size of car (narrow roads, but we would have 4 people in 1 car plus luggage)
3. Upgrades.  If you are offered an upgrade on arrival, consider the size of the roads.  That big, beautiful SUV might make you a road hazzard.
4. A second driver (did we need one? Is there a fee?)
5. Are there any deals/discounts out there? (Try your wholesale club card, CAA, etc. We used Costco)
6. Pick up at the airport or somewhere closer to your final destination.

But the most important factor to consider when renting a car in Ireland is insurance.  When you book think about:

1. 3rd party liability (PLPD in North America) is a legal requirement in the Republic of Ireland and is included in the price of your rental.
2. CDW (Collision Damage Waiver) is a release of your liability for most damage to the vehicle and is often included in rental price.
3. Super CDW further reduces liability to zero or near zero and is almost always an additional cost to the renter: presently about 20 – 24 Euro/Day.
4. In most cases, lost keys, damage to tires, broken glass and damage caused by putting the wrong fuel in the tank are not covered by any type of insurance.
5. If you are offered an upgrade, make sure any prearranged insurance will cover the more expensive vehicle.  (Our limit was $65,000 cndn.)

Does your credit card cover your insurance?

It is highly unlikely the auto insurance you rely on at home will provide any coverage outside North America. Your premium credit card – ‘gold’, ‘platinum’ – may provide the coverage you need to avoid paying for CDW or Super CDW. You will need a letter from your credit card company stating that the coverage is good in the Republic of Ireland. This letter must be dated no more than 2 weeks before the rental date and will need to be presented at the time you pick up your car. You will save time if you have a copy to leave with the rental company.

A Final Word.

If your trip budget will stretch to it, rent more than one car when travelling with old men.  Let’s face it, not everyone will want to go to the same place, at the same time, at the same speed and it’s always best to have options.