Under 25 car insurance?

[sam_justice]

I'm 21 and have booked a trip with a mate with Virgin including a hire car, I rung them to make sure I was able to drive it over there and they confirmed I could.
I've heard though that Under 25s can get hit with insurance ($30 a day almost) without knowing, is this true?

 

[wayneg]

Is it with Alamo?
Alamo have a $25/day surcharge for under 25's. Ontop of the regular insurance so works out quite expensive.
Compare with a company like USrentacar.co.uk who offer a young drivers policy, you have to take there Gold cover but then under 25's cover only costs £62/week instead if £112/week with Alamo
http://www.usrentacar.co.uk/young_driver_under_25.aspx

 

[dixonsontour]

Yes first few times we went DH was under 25 and we paid a fortune.

Definitely get it prepaid in advance - if not they will charge you silly money when you pick up the car.

 

[jamjar84]

Last time we went when hubby was under 25 we had to pay a $300 deposit at the start, but we got it refunded when we returned the car in it's original condition.

 

[Scrap_Vamp]

This is the reason I've always done the driving on our trips, as I'm older than DH. Luckily he turns 25 in November so he'll be doing some of the driving from this point on!

 

[wayneg]

This is the reason I've always done the driving on our trips, as I'm older than DH. Luckily he turns 25 in November so he'll be doing some of the driving from this point on!

Oh Carl, that means you will be driving so Jen can have a few drinks. Stand up to her, you have to take it in turns

 

[sam_justice]

Yeh we're with Alamo, does this mean we'll have to pay $25 for the 14 days when we arrive?

 

[wayneg]

Yeh we're with Alamo, does this mean we'll have to pay $25 for the 14 days when we arrive?

How much have you paid Virgin for the car?
If you haven't paid anything then you need insurance, not used Virgin for years but it used to be about £20/day (probably £25/day now) if you don't prepay Virgin you will have to pay locally, probably about $50/day + whatever they can sqeeze out of you.
Under 25 x 14 days = $350
Insurance approx =£350
Total approx £575

Depending on size of car you want you can book from £396 with USrentacar.co.uk incl YDP and a tank of fuel. If you wanted something bigger full size would be another £47.

Make sure you get the full costing from Virgin they are usually very expensive for young drivers.

 

[sam_justice]

Here is our pricing list

I'm wondering is the fully inclusive insurance for the car or general holiday ins?

:EDIT: Just found this as well

 

[wayneg]

Yes thats car Insurance, you will need to buy travel insurance seperate.

Looks like you opted for sat nav which will put the price up.

Car & ins £292
Under 25 x 14 days = $350(£225)

Total £517 but I would expect some of the online discount is for the car hire so approx £500 cost.

You could possibly agrue with them you were not told about the extra cost for under 25 and get the car removed and rent seperate as I quoted £396 + buy your own sat nav from about £50(resell and get your money back)

This way would save you about £100, depends if you want the hassle of trying to get them to take the car off without any fees.

 

[sam_justice]

I've just upgraded to platinum for the extra £80, they said this will cover any local charges for Under 25s when I arrive, is this correct?

 

[wayneg]

I've just upgraded to platinum for the extra £80, they said this will cover any local charges for Under 25s when I arrive, is this correct?

Never knew that but just had a look and yes it does, not a bad deal at all

http://www.virginholidays.co.uk/brochures/florida/info/flydrive/insurance/

You will also get the tank of gas included, save you about £25, take it back empty as poss.

 

[sam_justice]

Never knew that but just had a look and yes it does, not a bad deal at all

http://www.virginholidays.co.uk/brochures/florida/info/flydrive/insurance/

You will also get the tank of gas included, save you about £25, take it back empty as poss.

Thanks for all the help on this guys, would've been absolutely stung when I arrived if I hadn't posted here!

 

[Scrap_Vamp]

Oh Carl, that means you will be driving so Jen can have a few drinks. Stand up to her, you have to take it in turns

It's about time, the times we've been out over there and I couldn't drink!