Hiring cars in the US

[SueOKW]

Hello - a friend of mine is coming over to the US from London and is finding car hire prices to be much higher for him (Brit) than they are for me (US citizen.) Sometimes the cost is double.

I can rent the car and add him on as an additional driver for $10.00 per day. That's one way. Do you know of any US car hire firms that do not discriminate against non-US drivers?

thank you so much for any assistance.
Sue

 

[Frances999]

I recommend www.nova.co.uk

Their prices are in $US, and with the favourable exchange rates the price works out very favourable. Plus, their prices are all-inclusive, yet cheaper than most rates which do not include insurances!

 

[vernon]

While it's true the carhire companies are trying to maximise their profits, I think it over simplifies the situation to call it discrimination. The main reason for the difference in the cost is insurance, and in particular liability insurance. I would, for example, imagine that if your friend were to cause an accident while driving and were to be sued by anyone injured in that accident it would be against your insurance company (or maybe even you as the first driver/hirer of the vehicle) the claim would be filed. Now I'm sure there is a fair amount of profit built into that extra liability insurance the companies require the Brits to take up, but without them/us holding their own liability insurance it is necessity.

lastminute.com do a pretty good all inclusive offer. There are others as well. In my experience the all inclusive deals are usually cheaper than the "free carhire" deals where you have to take out the "off the shelf" insurance coverage they sell you at the car hire offices.

 

[SueOKW]

thanks! you're right - i was over the top about discrimination! i think i'll hire it and he'll pay to be an extra driver. $100 vs. $200 more.