In the past, I have hired a car from Holiday Autos and paid the total damage waver but then when I have to the local supplier they have tried to sell me their insurance, which means taking a deposit from my card. Most times, I have just given up and taken the local insurance but the couple of times I refused the extra insurance a damaged tyre has appeared or a paint chip.

Anyone else had this issue – do you always take out the local insurance as extra cover (i.e. pay twice for the same thing.

Buy 3rd party insurance and decline it all from the vendor. Policies can be had for about £50 per year.