The manager of Albar / Thrifty in Romema Yerushalayim told me last time I was there that you do not get reimbursed for the VAT on the damage. Anyone can confirm or deny? That could be more than the deductible (for $4k loss, you pay ~640) so it would be better to use their CDW (~500 depending on car).
They are good at maxing out the charges for damages here, I do not know how to compare to USA. Once a bus hit me slowly and the back window broke with some minor damage to the bumper, got charged $3800. I got the money back from the CC after around 9 months so I paid interest and what was worse, since then carry a balance on CC's
(but its good for credit history). I used to always pay up every month but then the numbers became unreal, abstract and the debt got out of hand... (You can always add ~50 Shek to have $0 deductible but that is per day and adds up if you rent alot)
Thanks!