Renting a car

mcp

I've never rented a car. I don't have my own car, so obviously I don't have car insurance.

I need to rent one.

What's the deal with renting a car and car insurance? I was told by a friend I need to have car insurance, but if I had a car, I wouldn't need to rent one.

Can someone tell me how the hell this works? Google isn't being straight forward with me, or maybe I'm not asking the right question. I live in Chicago, Illinois if that makes a difference.

Sir Carcass

I don't think they require you to have insurance, but they may make you buy theirs. Try calling them up and asking.

An-D

What company are you looking to rent from? And how old are you?

I can tell you from experience (dealing with Enterprise) that having car insurance helps, but if you don't have it, they may you buy their overpriced temporary insurance - just in case. Also, being over 21 helps a lot.

Thanatos

An-D wrote: »

What company are you looking to rent from? And how old are you?

I can tell you from experience (dealing with Enterprise) that having car insurance helps, but if you don't have it, they may you buy their overpriced temporary insurance - just in case. Also, being over 21 helps a lot.

Being over 25 helps a great deal more.

rfalias

An-D wrote: »

What company are you looking to rent from? And how old are you?

I can tell you from experience (dealing with Enterprise) that having car insurance helps, but if you don't have it, they may you buy their overpriced temporary insurance - just in case. Also, being over 21 helps a lot.

Like thantos said, I'm pretty sure they won't even bother if you aren't at least 25.
Maybe that's a myth, but I've heard that said all my life.

illig

Every car rental rate will come with the bare minimum insurance required in your locality... if no insurance is required by law, then it might not have any

i would strongly suggest getting extra insurance (which you purchase when renting), as the lawful minimums are stupidly low, and you'll be responsible for any overages should you get into an accident

some tips:
1. be over 25. if you're not, you're going to have a hard time getting a car, and even if you do find a company that will rent to you, you'll pay daily extra charges for being under 25

2. use a credit card that has car rental benefits... many cards offer extra liability insurance for free, or cover damage to the rental car, etc.

3. fill up before returning the car... rental companies will charge you much more than the going rate for gas

An-D

Maybe it was because I had my own insurance, but Enterprise didn't seem to have an issue with me renting numerous cars when I had just turned 21. Of course, I'm in North Carolina. They may be a bit more uptight up where you are.

Grizzled

Some places will rent to you if you are between 21 and 25, but it may cost more.

As for insurance, whenever I rent (from Budget, which doesn't require you to possess a credit card), I just sign up for the Loss-Damage waiver for an extra $9/day. That way if I scratch the car up or something I'm ok. As for personal liability insurance, they have that too, but in any event they don't ask for proof of insurance or anything, so rent away!

VisionOfClarity

Where are you going wih the car and how long do you need it? I suggest using Zip Car. You pay one sign-up fee ($50) for occasional driving (or you chose a monthly commitment plan, such as $50 driving a month) and either an hourly or daily fee. It includes insurance and does not charge you an extra $25 a day just for being under 25. I'm a zip car member and I can't rave about it enough. You can try the code zipmbta, its a code they're advertising on the T here in Boston to get $50 free driving. Don't know if it will work for you in Chicago but it's worth a try.

mcp

This has been resolved.

Thanks guys.