what happens if i dont buy "second" driver on a rent car..but drive?

[nurseypoo5]

I'm so frustrated. I originally budget 200 for a week of minvan rental on our trip...but now the cheapest i can find is actually renting for 16 days since starting your rental in Sept (30th) is cheaper than starting it a week later and keeping it less. crazy huh?

ok, so i got a rate of 475 for the 16 day rental, but they dont allow for second driver, that is an extra 8 dollars per day.

Now im upset. My hubby says forget it and as little as i drive anyway, just drive and dont worry. I probably only drive when i need to go to the grocery store, or if he and son go fishing and DD and i want to shop.

What can they do to us if i dont pay and i do drive. Years ago i got hit from behind while driving and since it wasnt my fault the rental place said nothing about it. I simply can not afford an additional 120.00 to add me when i might not even drive one time.

Anyone give me the laws or the what ifs here?

 

[seashoreCM]

You would be in violation of the rental agreement fine print. If you had an accident you might not be covered even if you bought the extra collision and/or other coverages. Your rate might be refigured from the start of the rental using current rates if those rates were higher than what you reserved at.

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

 

[Kycha]

What rental company are you using? I know that for National if you sign up for their Emerald Club a second driver is free. Same with Alamo's Quick silver program. The second driver must also be a member of that program. Alamo's program is free and National's is $50, but if you check out mousesavers.com they have a link you can use to get the $50 fee waived.

 

[mareed]

In answer to your question "what happens if i dont buy "second" driver on a rent car..but drive?"...

If you don't have an accident, then nothing happens. If you do have an accident, it won't be pretty.

I imagine people drive without being added to the rental car contract all the time, but I am definitely not comfortable doing it. You just have to decide if the risk is worth it to you.

I agree with the comment about checking on one of the membership programs where you'd be covered for free. I also seem to remember that certain discount codes (like from Wal-Mart or Sams) include an extra driver for free at certain companies. What is the rental company? That may help others offer suggestions.

Good luck!

 

[LgTmDisFan]

We rent from Budget all the time. Spouses are include at no extra charge. clause 16 0n the fold out (looking at it right now)(F-133MI-DD (3/04) this is in MI. I would call and ask about the spouse policy of the company.

Have a wonderful time.

 

[Lewisc]

Then don't drive. If you can't afford the $120 you certainly can't afford the repair cost if you're in an accident. Both your credit card coverage and personal auto coverage have an out, you're not in accordance with the the terms of your rental agreement.

I simply can not afford an additional 120.00 to add me when i might not even drive one time.

Anyone give me the laws or the what ifs here?

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

Then don't drive. If you can't afford the $120 you certainly can't afford the repair cost if you're in an accident. Both your credit card coverage and personal auto coverage have an out, you're not in accordance with the the terms of your rental agreement.

Very well said. I agree 100%. It's not worth the hassle if anything happened.

 

[BYC]

Depending what company you use, the Orlando Magic Crad (free) has a code for a free extra driver.

 

[dis-happy]

It also wouldn't be pretty if you got pulled over for a ticket. Don't do it!

 

[mommy*RN]

Nurseypoo - try using the Orlando Magicard contract code. That will give you a free additional driver and may not change your rate. You can still use it with your promo code! Enter it in the corporate ID number slot: oi1054.

HTH!

 

[nurseypoo5]

Nurseypoo - try using the Orlando Magicard contract code. That will give you a free additional driver and may not change your rate. You can still use it with your promo code! Enter it in the corporate ID number slot: oi1054.

HTH!

i tried that but it made the rate higher..did you try it?

 

[mommy*RN]

i tried that but it made the rate higher..did you try it?

I think you probably saw it - but I did try it and I posted about it on the October thread...it stayed the same for me. Did it work for you?

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

I'm so frustrated. I originally budget 200 for a week of minvan rental on our trip...but now the cheapest i can find is actually renting for 16 days since starting your rental in Sept (30th) is cheaper than starting it a week later and keeping it less. crazy huh?

ok, so i got a rate of 475 for the 16 day rental, but they dont allow for second driver, that is an extra 8 dollars per day.

Now im upset. My hubby says forget it and as little as i drive anyway, just drive and dont worry. I probably only drive when i need to go to the grocery store, or if he and son go fishing and DD and i want to shop.

What can they do to us if i dont pay and i do drive. Years ago i got hit from behind while driving and since it wasnt my fault the rental place said nothing about it. I simply can not afford an additional 120.00 to add me when i might not even drive one time.

Anyone give me the laws or the what ifs here?

If you really want to be able to drive too have you considered a smaller vehicle or do you really need a minivan? We have 2 kids and normally a full size is plenty for us. The Taurus has a huge trunk and large backseat space.
This would cut the cost down substantially. good luck!

 

[nurseypoo5]

mommy, i did try the code and it worked, i know i mentioned it earlier, but if anyone else wants to try it go for it

Do you really think a midsized or full sized car will have enough trunk space?? I have 4 huge suitcases and was thinking of taking a 5th for suvinears...were going on a road trip after disney in this car to the gulf for a week, so i need comfort for the kids too.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

We've actually fit into a convertible several times and that has half the trunk of the Taurus. My boys are only 6 and 9 though. I guess if they were teens maybe more space. I guess you know your own comfort level. It's just an idea.

 

[mrsstats]

It will void your rental agreement. I wouldn't do it. Also, if you belong to one of the clubs, you may want to check with them. I know BJ's gives you the 2nd driver for free with membership (it did with Alamo)

 

[50 years Too!]

It only matters if you buy their insurance.
If you waive the insurance and choose to use your own you should be covered for any car you drive.
Our regular insurance covers it--most do.

 

[Lewisc]

It only matters if you buy their insurance.
If you waive the insurance and choose to use your own you should be covered for any car you drive.
Our regular insurance covers it--most do.

I doubt it, look for language that says something about using the rental car in accordance with the terms of your rental agreement.

 

[mrsstats]

Our regular insurance covers it--most do

In NY, your auto policy covers your contractual liability, therefore, if the contract states you must add the 2nd driver and you don't you void the contract. I wouldn't do it. No worth taking the chance. Either pay the additional amount or dont drive.

 

[ducklite]

Then don't drive. If you can't afford the $120 you certainly can't afford the repair cost if you're in an accident. Both your credit card coverage and personal auto coverage have an out, you're not in accordance with the the terms of your rental agreement.

Yup! In all honesty, if you can't afford the $120, what's going to happen if you ahve an unexpected expense on the trip--need to go to Urgent Care because someone is sick (they don't take insurance) for example?

If I were you I'd look carefully at the rest of the budget. To only budget $200 for a 16 day minivan rental was rather odd to begin with--it's seldom that they are ever that low, and $400 would have been a closer bet.

It's always better to over budget and come home with some cash than to under budget and end up in trouble because things cost more than you might think.

You simply CAN NOT fit four "huge" suitcases into the trunk of a mid sized car, in fact many will barely fit two large suitcases. If they are "HUGE" you had better also check with your airline to make sure they aren't larger or heavier than allowed, that will run you $50 PER BAG EACH WAY if they are! And the airlines are strongly enforcing this--even if you are a pound or two over weight!

Anne