Thinking of renting a car with your credit card, then turning the keys over to someone else to drive away? It’s possible to do this favor for a friend or family member. However, you should be aware of the potential pitfalls when you rent a car for someone else.
It’s essential to add the additional driver to your rental contract. If a non-authorized driver gets into an accident, you will be in for a rude awakening. Any insurance or other damage waiver will be automatically voided. That means you will be held financially responsible for damage costs and potentially much more.
How to Rent a Car for Someone Else
On every car rental agreement, one person is the primary driver. This person must meet a set of requirements. These include meeting the minimum age and having a valid driver’s license and a credit card. (It can be possible to rent a car with a debit card and even cash. But using a credit card is much less hassle and it provides you with more protection than other payment methods.)
If you wish to pay for the rental car but let someone else drive it, you can rent the vehicle in your name and add the other person as an additional driver. There are some conditions. First, both you and the additional driver need to go in person to pick up the car. This isn’t a transaction that can be done remotely. At the time of pickup, you’ll need to provide your own driver’s license and credit card and sign the contract. The additional driver must also meet all of the rental car company’s additional driver requirements, including meeting the minimum age requirement and holding a valid driver’s license.
Additional Costs When You Rent a Car for Someone Else
Additional driver fees
When you rent a car for someone else, you will likely incur a daily additional driver fee to the tune of $12-$15 per day. You should know, however, that there are many ways to avoid the additional driver fee, depending on where you are renting the car and what is the relationship between you and the additional driver. For example, spouses are automatically allowed to be additional drivers at no extra charge in several states. And you may belong to an organization such as the AAA or AARP that also lets you waive the additional driver fee when renting from certain companies. But be aware that in some cases, such as if you are renting a car for a friend or acquaintance, there may be no way around paying the additional driver fee.
Collision insurance
When you rent a car for yourself, you may be used to relying on your personal auto insurance or credit card benefits to cover the car rental insurance. In this case, you are likely accustomed to declining the Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) when you rent a car.
When you rent a car for someone else, however, you may want to rethink this habit and spring for the CDW, which can add $20-$30 a day to the cost of your rental. Remember, if anything happens to the car, it’s on you as the primary driver and the person who signed the contract.
Let’s say you rent a car for a friend and that friend damages the rental car. If you didn’t pay for the CDW, that damage claim is going to go through your personal auto insurance first, and then bounce to your credit card company, assuming your card provides secondary car rental insurance, as most cards do. If you have a premium credit card that provides primary rental car insurance, then you would presumably be able to handle the claim without your auto insurance company ever becoming the wiser.
Once you sign a rental car contract, you should always assume that you are responsible for anything that happens to the rental car. The safest way to protect yourself from every inevitability is to opt for the insurance offered at the rental counter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my credit card to rent a car?
Yes. However, you should be aware of the possibility of additional fees when using your card overseas. Compare rates before you make a reservation. Some websites will allow you to reserve without paying until after you arrive, saving you money.
What is the difference between renting a car domestically and internationally?
Domestic cars are cheaper but have fewer features than international ones.
International cars can be more costly but offer better safety and comfort such as air conditioning and seat belts.
Based on the amount of mileage you intend to travel daily, you should choose the car that best suits your needs.
If you’re traveling for more than 100-miles, you might consider renting a local (domestic) car as they are typically cheaper.
But if you will be doing lots of driving around cities and going off-road, then you should opt for an international model.
How old do you have to be to rent a car in Europe?
You must be 21 to drive legally in most European countries. Although you can rent a car legally from someone older than you, you might still be allowed to drive if you are less than 18. The age limit for renting cars is different depending on the country. Some places allow you to rent a vehicle without age restrictions.
Which countries accept US driver’s licenses
The United States does not recognize any other country’s driver’s licenses as valid on its roads. However, Canada, Mexico and District of Columbia recognize them.
Canada recognizes American driver’s licenses issued by all 50 states and the District of Columbia.
Mexico also recognizes American driver’s licences. However, they are currently only recognized in Chihuahua.
The District of Columbia will accept driver’s licenses of all 50 US states, except Alabama, Mississippi, Texas, West Virginia, and Texas.
Which rental car agency has the largest number of locations?
Hertz would have been an answer, but they aren’t listed as a service provider that is location-based.
How much per day does a rental car in Europe cost?
We are not sure, but it seems to be somewhere between $100-200 daily.
We recommend renting for at least 2 days, as there are so many activities and sights to see.
Consider buying a vehicle with a price range of $2000-$3000 for those who plan to stay longer.
You can now travel throughout Europe without paying a single penny.
It’s also worth looking into whether your credit card company offers any rental discounts.
Statistics
- You can rent an automatic but these cars can cost as much as 50% more than a manual vehicle. (earthtrekkers.com)
- If you’re a member of AAA, you might also be able to snag discounts of 10 percent at Thrifty, and 8 percent at Dollar. (afar.com)
- The perks vary from partner to partner, but you can expect discounts of up to 35 percent on some rentals and the ability to earn anywhere from 50 bonus American AAdvantage miles per day or 500 per rental. (afar.com)
- Automatics are more expensive (usually about 50 percent more) and may only be available if you upgrade to a bigger, pricier car. (ricksteves.com)
- American Airlines, for example, offers AAdvantage members 35% off Budget and Avis — but you need to rent from an airport. (nerdwallet.com)
External Links
autoslash.com
alamo.com
kayak.com
enterprise.com
How To
What to consider when booking a rental car
What should I look for before renting a vehicle?
If you are looking to rent a car, these are the things that you should consider:
- There are many types of cars to choose from: small compact, medium compact and large compacts; SUVs, minivans and more.
- Prices for renting vary depending on what vehicle you are renting. Renting a vehicle is as low as $15 per day for smaller vehicles. Larger vehicles can cost you much more.
- Other than the daily price, there are additional charges depending on how long the vehicle is rented, such mileage fees.
- If you rent out your vehicle, you will be charged extra fees.
- Renting a car allows you to travel at any hour of the day. However, this option is subject to some limitations. For example, you cannot rent a car during rush hour.
- Make sure you have a budget when choosing a car model. Make sure the car has air conditioning. This is especially useful during hot weather.
- Make sure you reserve the car you want in advance. Some people do not realize they require one until the last moment.
- Renting cars comes with many safety features. A blanket and first aid kit are still recommended for emergencies.
- Consider adding a collision damage waiver on your rental. This is optional, but you will save money on your insurance policy.
- If you have special requirements, you can ask for them during the reservation process.
- Before leaving the airport, pack all your belongings and take your ID and credit cards with you.
- Be alert while driving. Avoid distractions and remain focused.
- Contact the police immediately after you’ve been in an accident.
- Once you finish using the car, make sure you turn it in. You will be fined if you do not.
Did you miss our previous article…
https://rentacar24.org/car-rental-news/what-to-do-if-you-shed-your-vehicle-drivers-certificate-while-taking-a-trip/
