For those who have rented a car

[ajloops]

This is my first time renting a car in CA. After our DL trip, we are dropping off the vehicle (Fox Rent A Car) at the LAX airport.

Heres the story.. I am 26yrs old.. my husband is 24. If you guys have rented before you know that there is a minimum age for renters (usually 21yrs old) which we both pass. But renters BELOW 25 is subject to $20/day charge. My husband wants to drive too but dont have the $$$ to pay extra for that.

My question is... when we drop off or pick up vehicles.... are they like right there waiting for you?? Will they see who's driving the car? Do they check that??

 

[chessieiglr8402]

I don't know where you are renting your car from but I am in the same situation with my DBF. I am 25 and he is 24 and he is going to rent the car. We found out last week that Hertz has a special that they will wave the under 25 fee if you put in the code while you are making the reservations. I am looking for the code now and will post it when I find it.

 

[Mister Toad]

This is my first time renting a car in CA. After our DL trip, we are dropping off the vehicle (Fox Rent A Car) at the LAX airport.

Heres the story.. I am 26yrs old.. my husband is 24. If you guys have rented before you know that there is a minimum age for renters (usually 21yrs old) which we both pass. But renters BELOW 25 is subject to $20/day charge. My husband wants to drive too but dont have the $$$ to pay extra for that.

My question is... when we drop off or pick up vehicles.... are they like right there waiting for you?? Will they see who's driving the car? Do they check that??

Simple solution. You rent, he drives. As long as you don't get into an accident there shouldn't be a problem. No sense in paying the money if you don't need to. Not really the most fool-proof way of doing it, but thats the easiest I would say. I drove pre-25 multiple times on others rentals.

That or if you work for a company that negotiated out that charge book through them. My company negotiated out the under-25 fee since we have a lot of young people travelling.

 

[ajloops]

Yes I know. But my question is do they CHECK THIS??? When u go pick up or return ur car... is there someone waiting at the site? Will they see if I'm not the one driving it???

Tnx!

Oh and im renting fox car rental.

 

[PrincessMaleficent]

They do not check to see who is on the agreement when you drop it off. Just to play safe drive it out when you pick it up and drive it in when you drop it off.

 

[Mister Toad]

Yes I know. But my question is do they CHECK THIS??? When u go pick up or return ur car... is there someone waiting at the site? Will they see if I'm not the one driving it???

Tnx!

Oh and im renting fox car rental.

I have never rented from fox but from my experience with Avis they never check. I just pull up, they make sure the gas is full and I didn't crash it then print off my receipt. If you are worried, pull over a block away and switch drivers.

 

[PrincessMaleficent]

when I have dropped off a car at fox which is twice. you leave the keys in the car and walk up to the front desk. They really do not check. One time some just checked the gas and that was it.

 

[ajloops]

This board.. i swear.. so helpful!!! Thank you SO much!

 

[keller524]

It is important that you know when renting a car, the only people covered by insurance are those specifically listed on the contract. It doesn't matter if you bought their coverage or are using your own (also applies to any coverage VISA may provide). If he ends up in an accident you will completely on your own to pay damages - which is really scary. Just don't do it. List him as a driver or drive yourself.

 

[caimakale]

It is important that you know when renting a car, the only people covered by insurance are those specifically listed on the contract. It doesn't matter if you bought their coverage or are using your own (also applies to any coverage VISA may provide). If he ends up in an accident you will completely on your own to pay damages - which is really scary. Just don't do it. List him as a driver or drive yourself.

I agree with keller524. When I've rented cars in the past (never from Fox though) I had to show my ID and rental ticket when leaving the parking lot. You can be the one to drive out of the lot and then switch but you are taking a huge risk if you get in an accident. If the $20/day is too expensive to pay, imagine how much it would be if you were in an accident that ultimately totaled a couple vehicles and insurance refused to pay because he wasn't supposed to be driving in the first place. Insurance companies hire people specifically to look for ways to get out of paying claims, this would be an easy one for them to get out of.

I would advise you to drive and you alone or pay the $20/day for him to drive. I'm a gambler, but I wouldn't gamble on this, the risk outweighs the reward. You are driving in an unfamiliar environment with different traffic patterns/behaviors and laws than you're probably used to. Even if you get in an accident that isn't your fault and the other driver is uninsured, you're getting stuck with the bill.

 

[ajloops]

I agree with keller524. When I've rented cars in the past (never from Fox though) I had to show my ID and rental ticket when leaving the parking lot. You can be the one to drive out of the lot and then switch but you are taking a huge risk if you get in an accident. If the $20/day is too expensive to pay, imagine how much it would be if you were in an accident that ultimately totaled a couple vehicles and insurance refused to pay because he wasn't supposed to be driving in the first place. Insurance companies hire people specifically to look for ways to get out of paying claims, this would be an easy one for them to get out of.

I would advise you to drive and you alone or pay the $20/day for him to drive. I'm a gambler, but I wouldn't gamble on this, the risk outweighs the reward. You are driving in an unfamiliar environment with different traffic patterns/behaviors and laws than you're probably used to. Even if you get in an accident that isn't your fault and the other driver is uninsured, you're getting stuck with the bill.

Ok mother! JK You absolutely have a point. Now im torn. I was just excited a minute ago. It will be a total of $100 extra to be an additional underage driver since we're renting for 5 days. Thanks for everybodys input. Im leaning towards paying more........

 

[robinb]

Ok mother! JK You absolutely have a point. Now im torn. I was just excited a minute ago. It will be a total of $100 extra to be an additional underage driver since we're renting for 5 days. Thanks for everybodys input. Im leaning towards paying more........

Why does he have to drive? Aren't you capable?

 

[caimakale]

Ok mother! JK You absolutely have a point. Now im torn. I was just excited a minute ago. It will be a total of $100 extra to be an additional underage driver since we're renting for 5 days. Thanks for everybodys input. Im leaning towards paying more........

You mean father??? I'm a male...

You might be able to negotiate the fee away. Call them up and tell them that Hertz will waive the underage driver fee and see if they will match it.

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

Where else are you going that you need a rental?

 

[jlmarr]

Don't most rental car companies charge per day for each extra driver anyway? Even if they waive the "under-agedness" of DH you might still be stuck with an extra daily fee. (This has always seemed like a ripoff to me, unless they can provide a car with two steering wheels.)

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

Don't most rental car companies charge per day for each extra driver anyway? Even if they waive the "under-agedness" of DH you might still be stuck with an extra daily fee. (This has always seemed like a ripoff to me, unless they can provide a car with two steering wheels.)

I think they were just going to have the 24 yr old rent it and not have her on it so they'd have the extra $20/day fee for him.

 

[ajloops]

Why does he have to drive? Aren't you capable?

Well I am. Im just a really terrible driver Lol I once almost killed myself on the freeway and since then I have a bit of a phobia... Anyway DH is obviously the family driver specially to places we havent been to before and we're also driving from SF to LA

 

[ajloops]

You mean father??? I'm a male...

You might be able to negotiate the fee away. Call them up and tell them that Hertz will waive the underage driver fee and see if they will match it.

Ya! Man that would be perfect! I'll call them for sure dad!!

 

[Mom2aJessieGirl]

It is important that you know when renting a car, the only people covered by insurance are those specifically listed on the contract. It doesn't matter if you bought their coverage or are using your own (also applies to any coverage VISA may provide). If he ends up in an accident you will completely on your own to pay damages - which is really scary. Just don't do it. List him as a driver or drive yourself.

I totally agree. If he gets into an accident, he would not be covered at all. That could be a horrible cost if it includes major damage and/or injuries. In theory, it could bankrupt a person fairly easily. (Sorry. Hate to be all doom and gloom.)

 

[ajloops]

Where else are you going that you need a rental?

Driving from SF to LA. Staying in LA for 5 days. One of those days: Disneyland, Universal Studios then downtown Hollywood. =D BTW Universal Studios has BOGO tickets! Our last day there would be spending that free day at Univ. Studios