car rentals - any allow teens as additional driver

[mrspaha]

Seems like there's been a few questions here abour car rentals, which reminded me of something I was wondering about. Does anyone know if any car rental companies allow teenagers to be an additional driver? I'll be renting the car -- my husband isn't able to be with us, so I was hoping my 16-year-old could help with some of the driving. I talked to a few companies -- national and hertz, and they said it's not allowed because younger drivers are high risk. But, our own insurance policy covers us all if we rent a car.

So, I guess what I don't understand is, why would a car rental company not allow a teen to be an additional driver, if our own insurance will pay for any damages that might happen. Has anyone else dealt with this before? Any insurance agents out there that have any insight on this?

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by mrspaha
Seems like there's been a few questions here abour car rentals, which reminded me of something I was wondering about. Does anyone know if any car rental companies allow teenagers to be an additional driver? I'll be renting the car -- my husband isn't able to be with us, so I was hoping my 16-year-old could help with some of the driving. I talked to a few companies -- national and hertz, and they said it's not allowed because younger drivers are high risk. But, our own insurance policy covers us all if we rent a car.

So, I guess what I don't understand is, why would a car rental company not allow a teen to be an additional driver, if our own insurance will pay for any damages that might happen. Has anyone else dealt with this before? Any insurance agents out there that have any insight on this?

Minimum age for most is 21, except if you are in the military. Some min. age is 18, but NONE are 16. Young drivers are an outrageous risk and they have rules they have to follow to be in business.

 

[Amberle3]

I'm thinking that perhaps your insurance would NOT cover the car if there were an accident and your teenager were driving. After all it would be contrary to the contract signed with the rental company, where it states it is against their rules for someone that age to drive the car. It is their car, they have the right to set down the rules. And the insurance company has the right to refuse coverage/payment if you don't abide by the rules.

I'd call them to make sure.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Normally with a car rental, the company's insurance policy is the primary liability policy. The contract makes you the primary responsible person for damage to their car, as well as loss of income from that car; therefore your insurance company will be the primary for damages.