Car Rental & Insurance Tips |
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Car Rental Tips |
| Age Requirement | The majority of car rental companies only rent to persons aged 25 or over. However, a few companies will rent to persons from the age of 21 but there is normally an additional daily premium or supplement required. Under 21's stand very little chance of renting. |
| Additional Drivers | The driver is the person who rents the car - if you are sharing the driving with another, then the other person(s) must be with you at the reservation desk. An additional fee is normally charged for each "other driver". Make sure you, and any other driver, takes driving license, passport and proof of insurance documentation (unless paying for insurance at pick-up point). |
| Cars | All rental cars in the USA are automatic and are equipped with air conditioning and a radio, depending on the type of car chosen, other features will be included as standard such as cruise control, air bags, power steering, tinted windows etc. For the various car types available see our Quick Reference Guide |
| Non-USA Residents | It is sometimes more cost effective to arrange a car rental through a company from your own country before you leave home. |
| Flying In | If you're arriving in Florida by plane, do check with your chosen car rental company that they do actually have a desk at the airport and that their cars are accessible there. The last thing you need is to have to find transport to take you to the car rental premises, especially if there's a large group of you or you have small children. It will also be much easier for you when it's time to catch the flight back home. Most of the larger companies will prove no problem - but be careful if using a smaller company and check this detail out well - for the sake of a few dollars more you could save yourself a whole lot of aggro! |
| Weekly or Daily Rates | Daily rates are usually higher than weekly rates - and weekly rates at time of pick-up are usually higher than advanced booking weekly rates! See Easy Car Rental for some pretty good rates |
| Payment Methods | The majority of companies require credit card payments. Note that all car rental companies take Visa and Mastercard - not all of them take American Express! |
| Taxes |
The rental price you are quoted will invariably be exclusive of local, state and airport taxes. However, there are some that include taxes in their quote, and some may include LWD/CDW insurance - (see "insurance section" below for explanation). It is therefore good policy to always ask exactly what the price quoted does include. |
| Agreement |
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| Documentation | It is advisable that you keep your rental agreement, proof of insurance and driving licence on you at all times as, in the unlikely event you are stopped by the police, have your vehicle stolen or are unlucky enough to get a "bump" you will be required to produce these documents and if you haven't got them on you it could prove to be very awkward for you. |
| Where can you go? | In
the US some rental cars are not allowed "out of state" -
this means if you rent a car in Florida you may find that you cannot
drive it into another state (i.e. take it into the neighbouring
states of Alabama or Georgia). There are often some limitations stated too - like not taking the car on "unpaved" roads etc. - Message being - read your documentation carefully so you know where you can go! |
| Insurance Tips |
| Insurance | Insurance is not cheap, and you'll be well advised to check through your own car insurance, travel insurance or any other insurance documents you may have before you go to see :
The
last thing you want to do is pay twice over for this expensive
commodity! |
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| Credit Cards | Some credit cards will give insurance cover on a rental car providing you pay the car rental bill using their card. Check this out with your credit card companies BEFORE booking your car rental as some of them will only issue this cover if you pay the FULL AMOUNT using their card (i.e. not paid a deposit by some other means) |
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| Car Rental Insurance Cover | Sometimes car rental companies will include a basic insurance - check out what this covers and if it doesn't cover CDW (collision damage waiver) make sure you get it added on to the basic insurance - rental companies will be happy to oblige. It will obviously cost you a little more - but if you don't have it and you have a collision you could be seriously out of pocket! |
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| Flying In | Be aware that you will, in all probability, have to provide proof of insurance at the car rental reservations desk - if you don't have it then you will have to purchase some somewhere - and you won't be able to drive the car without it. You may then have to pay for the rental company's insurance (often more expensive). |