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Cejana D.

Contributor Level

Total Points
88

1 Review by Cejana

  • EconomyBookings

8/27/15

I used EconomyBookings to rent car with FlightCar in San Francisco, for 11 days in July 2015. Additionaly, I purchased and was charged right away on my credit card for the Full Excess Protection Insurance that EconomyBookings offers for $18/day. At the time of pick up, FlightCar refused to accept the insurance we had already purchased. I contacted EconomyBookings on the phone, to ask for a cancellation of the "insurance", and after waiting for 30 minutes to speak to a person, I was told that I had to email my problem to customer service, who would get back to me in 28 days. I had to option but to buy another insurance with FlightCar, otherwise they would not allow us to pick up their car. After 28 days, EconomyBookings answered my email. This is their response below, and as you can see they clearly state that Full Excess Protection Insurance is not insurance. Can someone explain how this company is still operating? Please read their email below and help me understand how insurance is sold as insurance but it is not insurance?! Next step is to reverse credit card charges if possible.

"During the booking process, you have chosen an extra option from Booking Group company - the Full Excess protection insurance 134.20 USD

Booking Group Full Excess Protection is not insurance, it is a policy that protects you against excess charges applied by the car rental company. In case of an insurable event occurs during your rental period, Booking Group covers you excess up to the amount of 3000 EUR. ​

Please note, that Full Excess Protection do not contradict or replace any insurances from the rental company. This is only company's Booking Group product and service.

PRIMARY DRIVER CREDIT CARD PREAUTHORIZATION
At time of pick up you will be required to leave a deposit to cover the value of the insurance excess. Usually it takes the form of an amount (minimum: excess+fuel+vat) being blocked on an international credit card in the name of the primary driver (cash deposits, maestro, switch visa electron and debit cards are not accepted).
The blocked amount will be returned in full at the end of the rental provided the vehicle is returned in the same condition as rented.
Security Deposit is 300.00 USD for domestic renters, and the 500.00 USD for international renters.
Excess (damage and theft) for car groups is: 2500. 00 USD.
There is an opportunity to purchase a super insurance, to minimize the excess:
Insurance Plus: $9 per rental day. Reduces your liability for collision and comprehensive claims to a maximum of $2,500 – which means that the most you will pay out-of-pocket for any damage is $2,500 (in addition to any deductible with your own insurance, should you choose to use it as primary coverage). This package also covers all FlightCar authorized towing expenses related to a collision and comprehensive claim, as well as the use of a different vehicle (you must collect the alternate vehicle at your original pickup location).
Insurance Premium: $18 per rental day. Includes the benefits of the "Plus" package except your maximum liability is reduced to $500.

​According to the Booking Group company's policy,
11.2. Full Excess Protection has to be purchased prior to the start of the rental, the cover begins on the specified pick up date and ends when the rental car is returned. Please note that you can cancel Full Excess Protection no later than 48 hours before the start of your rental. If you cancel Full Excess Protection later than 48 hours before it starts or after the rental period has started, you won't get a refund.

​According to the terms & conditions of the rental company, stated in your voucher, it is mandatory to leave a security deposit upon arrival and cover the voucher price. Otherwise, you may cover a supplementary insurance, to reduce the amount of the excess. ​

​Therefore, in line with the information mentioned above, in accordance to the terms & conditions and rental requirements of rental company and terms & conditions of Booking Group company, no refund can be applied.

With kind regards,

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Cejana D.'s review of EconomyBookings earned 8 Very Helpful votes

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