Car rentals - car seats? insurance?

[California Mom]

What is the age/weight rules for kids in Orlando? In CA, my newly-turned 7-yr old does not have to sit in a car seat...but wandering if it's the same in FL...age or weight requirements?

I currently have a rental at National (at least until if I don't find another least expensive rate)...
Car insurance - do they REQUIRE you to take any of the insurances...or is it optional? We usually opt out when renting in California (since we have it on our own car insurance policy), but thought that I heard somewhere that they require it in FL.

Anyone have knowledge of either of these car rental issues?
THANKS!

 

[safetymom]

1)(a) Every operator of a motor vehicle as defined herein, while transporting a child in a motor vehicle operated on the roadways, streets, or highways of this state, shall, if the child is 5 years of age or younger, provide for protection of the child by properly using a crash-tested, federally approved child restraint device. For children aged through 3 years, such restraint device must be a separate carrier or a vehicle manufacturer's integrated child seat. For children aged 4 through 5 years, a separate carrier, an integrated child seat, or a seat belt may be used.

If you have your own insurance then you can decline the extra coverage if you accept the risk.

 

[beattyfamily]

You do not need to car insurance. It's optional.

You do not need a car seat for your child in FL.

 

[California Mom]

Thanks everyone....one more item to check off of my countdown list!...

 

[JennsBabySky]

It might be helpful to bring a booster. Very few 7 year olds are actually big enough to sit in an adult seat belt. So, a child might not need it in one car and could need a booster in the next car. Since you won't know exactly which model car you'll have, it is better to be safe than sorry! Only a handful of 7 year olds should meet this test consistently in most cars. A low back booster is small and relatively easy to bring. The requirements for not needing a booster (regardless of law) are as follows (from car-seat.org):

Children are not ready to be in a regular lap/shoulder seatbelt until:

They are tall enough so that their legs bend at the knees at the edge of the seat; and
They are mature enough to remain seated with their backs flat against the back of the seat and not slouch; and
The lap belt sits high on the thighs or low on the hips (NOT on their tummy!); and
The shoulder belt crosses the shoulder and chest (NOT on their arms or neck!)