Living Car Free - renting a car

i need some help. i have to rent a truck this weekend( i sold my pedicab and need to get it to chicago) any way what do i do about insurance? i dont have any, i dont owen a car so why do i need insurance? any idea? i dont want to smash this truck and get stuck paying for 20,000 dollar truck.

I take it you've never rented a vehicle before!! :D

Relax .... the vehicle rental place will sell you insurance. If they don't suggest it (they usually do, but sometimes they don't), just ask. It usually comes to about $20/day, but varies depending on who you rent with.

Most rental agencies will offer three coverages

1.) Collision "coverage" - for the vehicle - about $15-$20/day
2.) Medical or Personal Effects coverage - for you and/or your stuff - about $3/day
3.) Liability protection - for anyone you may hit - about $10/day

The cost varies on the vehicle chosen with more expensive vehicles having more expensive coverage. If you do not have your own insurance then you will definitely need the liability protection. If you have a Gold, Platinum, Titanium, or whatever Mastercard, Visa, AMEX, they will usually provide limited collision coverage for free. It will be primary coverage if you are uninsured. Ask your credit card company for exceptions to their coverage. Usually there is a $ limit and an exclusion to some large vehicles, including some SUV's and trucks. If your credit card automatically covers you, count on saving about $20/day just for the collision part.

You may want to pay for the insurance, even if you card covers some of it, if you are just renting for a couple days and total $ for the insurance is not much because in the event of an accident, it would be a lot less hassle for you, i.e. you walk away since they covered it.

It's actually been my experience with renting cars that insurance is as much or more than renting the car. I've found deals during the offseason (fall and winter) where renting the car itself is only about $12-20/day, and liability insurance is $15-20.

thanx. i have rented cars before, but i always had insurance. man i really dont even want to drive, but i guess sometimes you have to. plus now i can join in yelling about high gas prices.

It's actually been my experience with renting cars that insurance is as much or more than renting the car. I've found deals during the offseason (fall and winter) where renting the car itself is only about $12-20/day, and liability insurance is $15-20.

I never pay for that insurance. What you don't know is the vehicle is ALREADY insured or the DMV would never allow the car to be rented. The agency makes you believe that your paying for insurance but it is just another profit center. The car has liability insurance.

Does U-haul still rent pickup trucks? They used to be cheaper than the car rental places.

While it is true that the DMV requires liability insurance, the rental company's insurance or bond doesn't cover the renter. It protects the rental company in the case of an accident. The rental company (or their insurance provider) can and will come after the renter in the case of an accident. The contract that you sign when you rent the truck states that you will reimburse the rental company in case of an accident. If you have an accident in a rental truck, you are financially on the hook for the damages.


I never pay for that insurance. What you don't know is the vehicle is ALREADY insured or the DMV would never allow the car to be rented. The agency makes you believe that your paying for insurance but it is just another profit center. The car has liability insurance.

ok... thanx. ill pay extra .

im back, no accidents so now paying extra sucks. the best part was i filled this tank of a truck with gas $70.00 and then another $30.00 on the way home. it seemed so dumb. plus try and find a parking spot in downtown chicago for a full size four door truck. when i took it back i had my bike in the back, i checked out and the lady asked if i needed a ride home i said "nope i got my bike".

I just turned 25, so apparently I can start renting cars. The info above about insurance is good, but how much does just the rental cost, for the cheapest possible car?

Also, I haven't driven in two years, and Ive never owned a car. Do they check to see if I can drive well before they let me out of the lot?

...Do they check to see if I can drive well before they let me out of the lot?
No.

I just turned 25, so apparently I can start renting cars. The info above about insurance is good, but how much does just the rental cost, for the cheapest possible car?

Also, I haven't driven in two years, and Ive never owned a car. Do they check to see if I can drive well before they let me out of the lot?


The cost completely depends on the company you choose to rent with. I could tell you my preferences ...

And nope, you don't have to prove you can drive, you just have to produce a valid driver's license.

I just turned 25, so apparently I can start renting cars. The info above about insurance is good, but how much does just the rental cost, for the cheapest possible car?

Also, I haven't driven in two years, and Ive never owned a car. Do they check to see if I can drive well before they let me out of the lot?
What I usually do is go to the yahoo travel section - car rentals (yahoo has better deals than expedia). Select the date and time you want the vehicle, and the type of car - unless you are hauling lots of stuff, economy or compact is all you'll need (they're usually about the same price). After you enter the criteria, yahoo will pull up several car rental companies and prices. After you find what you want, you might also check the company's web site directly - sometimes they have a better deal. In most cases, you won't pay more than $15-25/day (depending on the time of year).

Re insurance... I've actually rented a car without any insurance. I figure as long as I take care of the car and don't do anything stupid the chances of being in an accident are minimal. This is taking a big chance, if you don't have insurance and the vehicle is damaged, you could be liable for several thousand dollars.

What I usually do is go to the yahoo travel section - car rentals (yahoo has better deals than expedia). Select the date and time you want the vehicle, and the type of car - unless you are hauling lots of stuff, economy or compact is all you'll need (they're usually about the same price). After you enter the criteria, yahoo will pull up several car rental companies and prices. After you find what you want, you might also check the company's web site directly - sometimes they have a better deal. In most cases, you won't pay more than $15-25/day (depending on the time of year).

Re insurance... I've actually rented a car without any insurance. I figure as long as I take care of the car and don't do anything stupid the chances of being in an accident are minimal. This is taking a big chance, if you don't have insurance and the vehicle is damaged, you could be liable for several thousand dollars.

You could also directly check the main companies:

Enterprise (fabulous company for short distance rentals)
Hertz
Budget
Thrifty
and others.

Re insurance ... I always get the insurance because when I rent a vehicle, I'm always hauling at least one bicycle in the back (usually in the back seat), plus a whole pile of cycling gear, etc. If something went wrong while I was loading or unloading my bicycle, and I ended up ripping the upholstery of the back seat, I'd want to be covered.

machka... good point. I usually just take both wheels off. That way I can fit it in the back seat pretty easily, and then stow the wheels and gear in the trunk. Works for me anyway;)

machka... good point. I usually just take both wheels off. That way I can fit it in the back seat pretty easily, and then stow the wheels and gear in the trunk. Works for me anyway;)

I do too .... but the gears and forks are still there, and sometimes the pedals, mirrors, handlebars, racks, light attachments, etc., etc.

I've travelled with my bicycle in the back seat quite often and so far it has been OK, but there have been a few close calls, especially when cramming more than one bicycle back there.

To rent from U-haul, you only have to be 18. Not 25 like the car rental places. Just so ya know...

I rented a U-haul truck and trailer to bring back a 68 mustang from VA to NJ when I was 19

Renting from a non-airport place can save you from paying special airport taxes.

If you need a bigger than economy car - because you have lots of people or a bike - if you reserve the tiniest car on-line first thing in the morning, when you arrive, the car company will automatically upgrade you to a larger car for the price of the tiny one. If they don't, you can ask for the larger car on the spot.

Adjust the mirrors before you leave the lot.

To rent from U-haul, you only have to be 18. Not 25 like the car rental places. Just so ya know...

I rented a U-haul truck and trailer to bring back a 68 mustang from VA to NJ when I was 19

hah. the only time that I've ever driven legally was a humongous uhaul truck.

After you find what you want, you might also check the company's web site directly - sometimes they have a better deal. In most cases, you won't pay more than $15-25/day (depending on the time of year).


Where are you renting cars for $15 dollars a day???? I like to know because in New Jersey, that's what they charge for the EXTRA insurance alone on the car. In fact, I've rented cars in New York City and when all the taxes were paid, I was out $90.00 dollars a day and the gas was extra!

Where are you renting cars for $15 dollars a day???? I like to know because in New Jersey, that's what they charge for the EXTRA insurance alone on the car. In fact, I've rented cars in New York City and when all the taxes were paid, I was out $90.00 dollars a day and the gas was extra!

In Manhattan, if you need the car for a few hours you have the option of ZipCar. $15 and hour or less and that includes gas. Then again, in Manhattan you rarely need a car.

Where are you renting cars for $15 dollars a day???? I like to know because in New Jersey, that's what they charge for the EXTRA insurance alone on the car. In fact, I've rented cars in New York City and when all the taxes were paid, I was out $90.00 dollars a day and the gas was extra!September 05, I went to France for a couple of weeks. For 3 days I rented a compact from Gare Du Nore rail station in Paris, it cost approximately $15 per day. I also chose the all-risks insurance for an additional $15 per day. This alleviated the need for both check-out and check-in vehicle inspections and provided considerable peace of mind as I drove in and around Paris with what some might characterize as reckless abandon.

FYI – a compact in Europe is really really compact. My Trek Single Track completely disassembled and in a Tardis travel bag along with one large hold-all and a suit roll-up case, completely filled the rear (with the seats folded down).

One more small digression – I mailed my suit roll-up case home, crammed with everything I didn’t need for the bike-tour portion of my trip. This was considerably cheaper than storing it anywhere in Paris or FedEx etc. I got home 2 months before it, due to significant customs clearance delays.

Where are you renting cars for $15 dollars a day???? I like to know because in New Jersey, that's what they charge for the EXTRA insurance alone on the car. In fact, I've rented cars in New York City and when all the taxes were paid, I was out $90.00 dollars a day and the gas was extra!
Well, things are always going to be more expensive in NYC, but that still seems a little high. Do some checking in the yahoo travel section/cars like I said, and you should be able to find a better deal. Since it's NYC, probably not as cheap as $15/day, but still reasonable.

Renting from a non-airport place can save you from paying special airport taxes.

If you need a bigger than economy car - because you have lots of people or a bike - if you reserve the tiniest car on-line first thing in the morning, when you arrive, the car company will automatically upgrade you to a larger car for the price of the tiny one. If they don't, you can ask for the larger car on the spot.

Adjust the mirrors before you leave the lot.


VERY good points!

I only rent from an airport place if it is my last resort .... and 9 times out of 10 I've had my vehicle upgraded. In fact, I never ask for the size of car I want ... I always ask for at least one size lower. :D

Where are you renting cars for $15 dollars a day???? I like to know because in New Jersey, that's what they charge for the EXTRA insurance alone on the car. In fact, I've rented cars in New York City and when all the taxes were paid, I was out $90.00 dollars a day and the gas was extra!

Enterprise charges $9.99 a day on their three-day weekend specials .... plus tax and insurance.

just rented a car last weekend $14 a day..plus 26 for the one weekday..plus 9.99 for insurance each day.