Auto Insurance For Rental Car With Underage Driver
Reader’s Question:
Can I still rent a car even if I’m under 25? What are the things I need to know? Would it help if I’m under my parent’s car insurance policy here in Oregon?
Janine
Hillsboro, OR
It is possible for people under the age of 25 to rent a vehicle. What you do need to realize though is that car rental companies are very hesitant in allowing under 25 year old drivers to avail of their services and if you are allowed a car rental agreement often this would mean some additional charges and restrictions. Being under your parents car insurance policy might help you get to be able to rent a car provided that the said car insurance policy extends coverage to you, normally as a named driver, and that it allows car insurance coverage to vehicles other than the one listed under the said policy. You should also check to make sure that you get enough comprehensive, collision damage, and liability insurance coverage that will extend to the rental vehicle you will be using.
You may also get additional help and car insurance protection if you use a credit card that offers car accident insurance. Try to find a car rental provider in Hillsboro that will agree to give good student discounts as well if you are performing well, academically. You can talk to your parents auto insurance agent to see if they could provide you a list of car rental services that allows under-twenty fives to rent a vehicle. They may even be kind enough to help you facilitate the whole rental process to your advantage.
Do You Need Collision Damage Waiver Rental Car Insurance
Reader’s Question:
I’m told I still need to purchase a “Collision damage Waiver” since I will be renting a car here in Brookhaven, New York, for about a month or so. What if I already have car Insurance?
Dennis
Brookhaven, NY
Collision Damage Waiver (Also known as Optional Vehicle Protection) is a policy that is sold by a car rental company to their customers who do not have personal auto insurance coverage. Although the agreements you get from each car company may be different, they are required by the state of New York, under its Financial Responsibility laws, to provide sufficient auto insurance coverage towards their vehicles whenever it is rented.
Since you will be renting a car there in Brookhaven for about a month and you already have a personal car insurance policy under your name then you are no longer required to purchase this policy in order to rent a car. You do want to make sure though that your auto insurance policy does have enough comprehensive and collision coverage to pay for any loss or damages to the rented vehicle in case of an accident, which can otherwise be charged to you directly by the car rental service. The price of a Collision Damage Waiver policy usually falls around $12 a day but still depends on the actual cash value of the vehicle being rented.
You may also be interested to know that a lot of credit card companies already provide cardholders with some level of auto coverage if they use the credit card to rent vehicles. This means that you may get additional protection towards your rented vehicle aside from your current car insurance policy.