Hi!
This a car insurance question. 
I just got a phone call from my son who is presently in Iceland.  He
rented a car from Hertz, a four wheel drive Susuki Vitara.  While
traveling he had to cross a river.The engine stalled half way across.
He had to get some help. Apparently the insurance coverage for which
he paid for does not cover flooding of the engine. But the insurance
was written only in Iceland langage. .
Now the garagist in Iceland tells him that the engine has to be
changed and it might cost him between 3,000 and 9,000 English Pounds.
What can he do?   Ask for an English translated insurance contract .
stop his credit card, go to the Embassy, find a lawyer?
Is that true that Hertz insurance in Europe does not cover flooding. 
Has anyone had similar experience?
Thanks for yout answer. . 
Yvette

Hello yvette2 and thank you for your question.

Bad news I'm afraid.  If we look at the insurance terms and conditions
of Hertz, Iceland, we can see that:

Insurance:

"CDW does NOT cover"

"i. Damage resulting from driving in places where vehicle traffic is
banned, such as on paths, tracks, banks of snow, ice, unbridged rivers
or streams, beaches, places only accessible at low tide, or other
trackless areas. However, payment of an own risk fee will cover damage
due to the driver being forced to leave the road, e.g., due to road
repairs."

and:

"n. Water damage to engine of the vehicle." 
http://www.hertz.is/main/view.jsp?branch=1033

I'm afraid it's pretty clear that he's not covered for the water
damage to the engine.  Also if he signed the hire agreement that was
in Icelandic he is legally bound by it.  It's easy to say with
hindsight but, he should have asked for a contract in English or not
signed the agreement if he didn't fully understand it.

Now, what are some options?

Well, yes, the US Embassy might be able to offer some advice:

US Embassy in Iceland:
"One of our most important functions is to help American citizens in
distress.  When the Embassy is closed, there is a duty officer
available 24 hours a day to render assistance.  The duty officer can
be reached directly by calling 693-9207.  If you can?t get through to
the duty officer, call the Embassy main number at 562-9100 and dial
extension 248.  The Embassy security guard force will take your phone
call and put you in contact with someone who can help. Our mailing
address is American Embassy, Consular Section, Laufasvegi 21, 101
Reykjavik.  Our e-mail address is consularreykja@state.gov."
http://www.usa.is/page.asp?Id=526&sid=211&topid=566

And, there is a list of attorneys in Iceland that might be able to help him:
"LIST OF ATTORNEYS"
http://www.usa.is/page.asp?ID=601

In any case, it sounds as if he is going to be legally liable for
meeting the costs of the repairs.

Firstly, he should get another quote for the estimated repair costs to
the vehicle, £3,000 to £9,000 sounds expensive (that's about
US$5,495.90 to US$16,486.87) He should also ask for an Itemized repair
bill and show it to either/both the US embassy/attorney to ensure that
the costs are 'reasonable' and that he is not being 'ripped off'

He should also show his copy of the insurance agreement to the the US
embassy/attorney to make sure that it specifically says that "Water
damage to engine of the vehicle" is not covered.


Thank you for your question, and I'm really sorry it's not good news.

Thank you for your question, and if you need any clarification of my
answer do not hesitate to ask before rating my answer.

Very best regards

THX1138

Search strategy included:
"Hertz insurance" "TERMS AND CONDITIONS"
://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&safe=off&as_qdr=all&q=+%22Hertz+insurance%22+%22TERMS+AND+CONDITIONS%22&btnG=Search

Thanks, that was fast! I would not have found the answer if I had
searched all day.  Unfortunately it is bad news. :(
I will forward your email to my son.  Now he just have to find a good
lawyer.The tourist office in the city told him that he could use that
road even if the Spring had relatively mild weather and the snow had
melted too early He had to walk for one hour and a half under the rain
with his girl frien before finding any help, Luckily they found an old
desaffected boarding house with some one there. The next house was 40
km away! What a nightmare!
Yvette 
Yvette

Problem is that Iceland is pretty expensive for parts and that sort of
thing (due to its geographical position) so that might account for the
level of quote...