Renting car in the US and personal liability

[Techie]

Have looked through some old threads here, but still not clear.

I will be renting a car on the US holiday.
As my travel insurance (by the Earth platinum) does not cover this, I will have to buy CDW/LDW. This will cover damage to the rented car.

Now what about the personal liability? My travel insurance specifically excludes liability arising from driving a vehicle. I read that some minimum liability may be required by law in some states and thus included in the rent rate but how do you know whether it's included and whether it's enough?
Do people just buy an SLI from the rent company when renting?

 

[Maca44]

No doubt you would have seen the number of suggestions from other OPs in other threads concerning the best rental company to use in the USA. I have used Car Rental in the US with DriveAway Holidays. Hire Cars in USA and the Americas. many times over the past ten years, and have not had any problems whatsoever. When you book through them, you will be given the best price available whether it be Hertz, Avis etc and their rentals include the following:

* Unlimited Mileage.
* Full Vehicle Insurance cover including Third Party, Fire and Theft with NIL excess.
* Loss Damage Waiver.
* Liability Insurance Supplement (LIS).
* Sales and State Taxes.
* Vehicle Licensing Fee.
* Airport fee where applicable.
* 24 Hour Roadside Assistance.

 

[cove]

What about my children who are under 25?

I have only found Enterprise prepared to hire to under 25's and the insurance was chunky.

I have hired cars for 30 years thru Hertz but they wont allow them to be a designated driver.

 

[UP4014]

Try Avis, years ago I rented a car our of LAX at the age of 22 and they accepted cash rather than a credit card, left a cash deposit which was promptly refunded on my return of the vehicle. (times change of course)

Also, Thrifty might do it, as long as it's a full license, i.e. not P plate.

Book and pay from Aust, I've had no issues on age with either of the above but plan it in advance.

Matt

 

[stryker]

I would suggest you have a look at:
Car Hire worldwide : netflights.com

You can rent a car at say LAX for less than AUD 50 a day including all insurances and a free tankfull of petrol. This would be through Thrifty, who it appears accept drivers aged 21-24.

I have used this UK-based company many times for rentals in the USA (the last time being last week) and have had absolutely no problems.

When you look at what is included (insurances, petrol), I couldn't find anything else that comes close.

 

[moa999]

Any views on cheapest for NYC/ Long Island rentals.
Above sites are coming up twice the price verus LAX and BOS

 

[drron]

I use- globalCARS - Car Hire, Auto Leasing & Motor Home Rentals - Australia, New Zealand, Europe, USA - globalCARS
For the US this includes-

• EARLYBIRD REDUCED RATES; book and pay by 31 Mar 08
• UM unlimited milage
• LDW loss damage waiver with ZERO EXCESS
• LIS liability insurance supplement (includes 3rd party insurance)
• Local taxes
• Airport fees
• VLF vehicle license fee
• Local surcharges
• Free one-ways within Florida and within California
• AAO additional authorised driver free in California
• Fuel policy; delivered full, returned full

NYC is always more expensive to source a rental.Still using global cars it has not been too much extra.I do always check the other sites and have found the same price but so far not lower when i want to rent.In the US it has virtually always been with Hertz and they still honor No 1 club and free extra driver.

 

[serfty]

I would suggest you have a look at:
Car Hire worldwide : netflights.com ...

That's not too shabby!

With Thrifty, £35 for a 2 day ex LAX rental I am looking at in June; Drivaway Quoted $140 (AUD) without the full tank of fuel.

Booking with Thrifty for the same Hire I am being Quoted US$60 (Rental rate of US$18-it's the extras that kill ya!)

 

[serfty]

I use- globalCARS - Car Hire, Auto Leasing & Motor Home Rentals - Australia, New Zealand, Europe, USA - globalCARS ...

That gives $156 for me needs ...

 

[Techie]

I would suggest you have a look at:
Car Hire worldwide : netflights.com

Thanks for the link, this was the best deal considering all the insurance options included!

 

[file51]

I must say, after having worked in the rental car industry for almost 10 years I thought I knew every little way to extract a discount, legit of course.

However the rates that netflights.com offer can be excellent.

PLUS... all inclusive, i.e. insurance, taxes, stamp duties, airport recovery fees, etc etc etc

Thanks Stryker :mrgreen:

 

[drron]

I think you have got to check all sites mentioned.The best seems to change.I have just looked at august rentals-4 days NYC was close but again globalcars won $A529 vs ~550 for netflights,560 for driveaway.
Then 11 days MSP-ORD.I thought netflights was a winner ~$A700 to globalcars $1009.Then i read the fine print-globalcars included the one way fee(though one ways cant be booked on line this was an email quote),but netflights didnt and it would be $US300.

 

[wtolmie]

I must say, after having worked in the rental car industry for almost 10 years I thought I knew every little way to extract a discount, legit of course.

However the rates that netflights.com offer can be excellent.

PLUS... all inclusive, i.e. insurance, taxes, stamp duties, airport recovery fees, etc etc etc

Thanks Stryker :mrgreen:

I have been using Alamo for rentals ex Chicago... Didnt pay liability.. on CDW.. Dont intend on hitting anyone intentionally..

 

[file51]

I have been using Alamo for rentals ex Chicago... Didnt pay liability.. on CDW.. Dont intend on hitting anyone intentionally..

Just bear in mind, if someone hits you... you have to pay

That is standard with all rental car companies

You MIGHT get your money back, but expect loads of paper chasing, red tape and a right royal PITA

LDW/CDW is peace of mind as far as I am concerned