If you are either planning to use, or have an existing reservation, with Budget Rental Car at Orlando (MCO) Airport I would like to make you aware of the following. There is at least 1 rental counter agent (Bob L.) that will give you completely false information and falsify your contract. He will tell you that you must have written proof of insurance from your automobile insurance carrier and if you don’t you must purchase insurance from Budget. He will add that the Budget insurance: LDW: $25.99 per day, PAE: $6.95 per day and SLI: $14.43 per day is mandatory by Florida State Law and can not be waived. He will also tell you that you can buy gas at Budget when returning the car and only pay for the amount of gallons necessary to fill the car. He went as far to cover a section of my contract with his thumb after telling me it was removed.
If your insurance company covers your rental car insurance and you do not wish to purchase the insurance it is not mandatory or required by Florida State Law. You do not need to pay an additional $47.37 per day! If you purchase the gas refill option at Budget you must pay the cost to fill the entire tank upon returning the car, regardless of the amount of gas in the tank.
Fortunately my problem was corrected by several employees that were not happy with this agent’s actions. I was told that the counter agents work off of commission and do this for the money. I was also told the there is at least one other Budget counter agent at Fort Myers Southwest Regional (RSW) Airport doing the exact same thing. One employee went as far to tell me that management is well aware of the practice and looks the other way. She added that counter agents that don’t sell enough add-ons are written up for low “numbers.”
I do not deal with small or off airport rental agencies for obvious reasons, however I think that there is something going on at Budget and I am not sure if I will use them or their partner Avis again. If you do rent from them read your contract very carefully prior to departing the counter and contact a supervisor immediately if necessary.
If your insurance company covers your rental car insurance and you do not wish to purchase the insurance it is not mandatory or required by Florida State Law. You do not need to pay an additional $47.37 per day! If you purchase the gas refill option at Budget you must pay the cost to fill the entire tank upon returning the car, regardless of the amount of gas in the tank.
Fortunately my problem was corrected by several employees that were not happy with this agent’s actions. I was told that the counter agents work off of commission and do this for the money. I was also told the there is at least one other Budget counter agent at Fort Myers Southwest Regional (RSW) Airport doing the exact same thing. One employee went as far to tell me that management is well aware of the practice and looks the other way. She added that counter agents that don’t sell enough add-ons are written up for low “numbers.”
I do not deal with small or off airport rental agencies for obvious reasons, however I think that there is something going on at Budget and I am not sure if I will use them or their partner Avis again. If you do rent from them read your contract very carefully prior to departing the counter and contact a supervisor immediately if necessary.
