Some of the cars a few years old have a few dings. Sometimes much can be made of these. Before you drive off, walk around the car and check the dings and dents. Better still, photograph the car from all angles. In my experience a couple of things that can make a trip unpleasant are seats that don’t stay upright and air conditioning that doesn’t work. Remember to check these too.
In Bali all foreign drivers are expected to have an International Driving License. The renter doesn’t care if you don’t, and actually doesn’t care if you have a license at all, he just wants the car rented. Filling out the rental form you can get away without having ID or a passport. Just write your name, address, passport number and say ‘can’t remember’ to the other stuff. You can pay extra for insurance, which might cost 45,000rp a day. I have rented cars without the insurance, and have never been in an accident, so don’t know the process that ‘actually’ occurs.
The owner of C.V Amertha Dana in Legian told me if I got into an accident, to call him and he would sort it out. In real world Bali, if you get into an accident with a local, you will pay. A crowd will gather, the other driver will start shouting and in 2 minutes 50 people will be stranding there telling you to hand over money. If the police arrive they will almost certainly back them up. Your best bet in these situations is to quickly hand over 100,000 - 200,000rp, even if the fender bender is the other guy’s fault. If a crowd gathers it will go to 1 million rp very fast. Your insurance is worth as much as 2 dead flies in situations like this. The advantage in having it is the damage your car will be covered…supposedly.
