Car Hire

[AdzC]

I'm off to Florida in the next few months and have everything bought and paid for except for the car hire.

Going to Orlando and just after some advice and recommendations with regard car hire out there, really want to get it booked and sorted before we go.

Because I am 24 each company want to charge $25 per day extra so as the missus is 26 she's going to be driving it.

[AndyT]

Make sure the legal insurance is in place. Think it's called Supplementary Legal Insurance. :)

[AdzC]

Make sure the legal insurance is in place. Think it's called Supplementary Legal Insurance. :)

Is that normally included in the price along with Collision Damage Waiver, Theft Protection etc or is it the extra insurance that the companies all try to sell which reduces the excess to nil?

[st3ven1]

Some companies offer an extra insurance that you can buy usually around £140, this then means that you don’t have to pay the extra $25 a day. However it depends on how long you are going for. For a weeks holiday you would be better off just paying the $25 a day, but if you’re going for 12 days or more it’s worth getting the extra insurance.
Another point is to be very careful what you sign for at the rental desk, some of them are all to quick to say “just sign here, here and here and you’ll be on your way” read every section you sign, as some of them are for extra brake down cover and other extras that are not required. Also many companies offer a gold package which gives you a full tank of petrol and allows you to return it empty and permits a second driver over 25 free, this will usually save you money in the long run.
Hope you have a good holiday, i would recommend Bush Gardens if you havent already been. :thumbs:

[AndyT]

Is that normally included in the price along with Collision Damage Waiver, Theft Protection etc or is it the extra insurance that the companies all try to sell which reduces the excess to nil?

Don't think it's normally included. It's the insurance that protects you from litigation ie you have a fender bender and get sued for a couple of trillion $. :d You know how it is over the pond. :)

[AdzC]

Some companies offer an extra insurance that you can buy usually around £140, this then means that you don’t have to pay the extra $25 a day. However it depends on how long you are going for. For a weeks holiday you would be better off just paying the $25 a day, but if you’re going for 12 days or more it’s worth getting the extra insurance.


This is where i'm confused as this can be quite costly. Just been having a look at Budget and it would appear that they include CDW, TP and SLI as standard with hire in the USA.

[st3ven1]

http://www.usrentacar.co.uk/under25.htm

Have a look here, most policys include all the legal cover you need. This is a Young Drivers Policy (YDP) that means you don't need to pay the daily young drivers charge.

[AdzC]

http://www.usrentacar.co.uk/under25.htm

Have a look here, most policys include all the legal cover you need. This is a Young Drivers Policy (YDP) that means you don't need to pay the daily young drivers charge.

Thanks for that link. Just done a quote using that site. Includes everything with me as a driver for £100 more than it would without me, and also allows the missus to drive if need be.

[st3ven1]

No problem, that's who I rented from when I went over earlier this month, as im under 25. Any other questions feel free to ask as I have done it a few times. :)

[bigcol]

Try carhire3000 they are great ive just hired a dodge durango 5.7 supercharger with full insurance (absolutlely everything) for 12 days in August, me and my mate are going and he is 24 it cost £375 for the whole lot, and "normal" cars are much cheaper

[st3ven1]

From their website:
"Driver Age: Minimum age is 21 years of age except where state law provides otherwise.In all states an underage fee of between $25 & $30 (+ TAX) per day, per driver, will apply for renters and additional drivers age twenty-one through twenty-four (21-24), unless prohibited by state law.In New York this fee is charged at $43 per day per driver + TAX."

It's the same story wherever you rent a car from in America.
The YDP as mentioned above is the only way I have found to reduce this cost for anyone under 25.