Comments on: Broadsided! 5 new car rental fees to avoid http://www.elliott.org/the-travel-critic/broadsided-5-new-car-rental-fees-to-avoid/ Consumer advocate Christopher Elliott's site. Fri, 10 Feb 2012 05:25:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Simon Adaway http://www.elliott.org/the-travel-critic/broadsided-5-new-car-rental-fees-to-avoid/comment-page-1/#comment-81094 Simon Adaway Sun, 25 Sep 2011 02:47:00 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=6348#comment-81094 Why can't Rental companies just be honest?  Instead of ducking, cheating, burying the detail in the small print...and generally behaving like sharks - there is a single action that would circumvent all this.Put up their prices!!It is simple...honest and cheap to administer. The customer knows whats happening and can budget and predict the costs of trips and holidays. Why can’t Rental companies just be honest?

 Instead of ducking, cheating, burying the detail in the small print…and generally behaving like sharks – there is a single action that would circumvent all this.Put up their prices!!It is simple…honest and cheap to administer. The customer knows whats happening and can budget and predict the costs of trips and holidays.

]]> By: Jfoster13 http://www.elliott.org/the-travel-critic/broadsided-5-new-car-rental-fees-to-avoid/comment-page-1/#comment-76393 Jfoster13 Wed, 03 Aug 2011 18:44:00 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=6348#comment-76393 Spoken like a car rental employee. Spoken like a car rental employee.

]]> By: Kayak10309 http://www.elliott.org/the-travel-critic/broadsided-5-new-car-rental-fees-to-avoid/comment-page-1/#comment-73840 Kayak10309 Tue, 05 Jul 2011 21:34:00 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=6348#comment-73840 Ah, yes - the 2nd driver fee. Believe me, I tried different companies, every which way - on the net, on the phone...still, to have my daughter assist me in travels when I go visit and rent the car - 65 bucks..Couldn't quite do the disability thing, as I CAN drive for short distances...turns out the 12 day car rental costs more than the airfare from Tampa to Traverse City, MI. Oh well...won't be able to do it for many more years, so...asi es la vida.... Ah, yes – the 2nd driver fee. Believe me, I tried different companies, every which way – on the net, on the phone…still, to have my daughter assist me in travels when I go visit and rent the car – 65 bucks..Couldn’t quite do the disability thing, as I CAN drive for short distances…turns out the 12 day car rental costs more than the airfare from Tampa to Traverse City, MI. Oh well…won’t be able to do it for many more years, so…asi es la vida….

]]> By: Nancy http://www.elliott.org/the-travel-critic/broadsided-5-new-car-rental-fees-to-avoid/comment-page-1/#comment-47294 Nancy Mon, 06 Sep 2010 14:26:16 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=6348#comment-47294 I hope you can either answer this question or direct me to someone who can answer it for me. Here's the scenario: I am renting a car for business; my colleague insists on being a second driver. * Payment and car rental contract signature will be my responsibility * I have full coverage on my personal vehicle which extends to any rental that I use. However: * My colleague has only the minimum coverage required by Calif for her personal old car * My colleague has no assets, no cash, therefore no recourse for remuneration if sued * My colleague wants to purchase the "additional" insurance on the rental with the assumption that this will cover anything that happens when she is driving My question is this: If she has an accident in the rental car on our trip, what is my liability as the contact signer for that rental? I have been told that "whomever" will "come after" which one of us that has assets to attach if there is an incident even if I am not driving I hope you can either answer this question or direct me to someone who can answer it for me. Here’s the scenario:

I am renting a car for business; my colleague insists on being a second driver.
* Payment and car rental contract signature will be my responsibility
* I have full coverage on my personal vehicle which extends to any rental that I use. However:
* My colleague has only the minimum coverage required by Calif for her personal old car
* My colleague has no assets, no cash, therefore no recourse for remuneration if sued
* My colleague wants to purchase the “additional” insurance on the rental with the assumption that this will cover anything that happens when she is driving
My question is this: If she has an accident in the rental car on our trip, what is my liability as the contact signer for that rental? I have been told that “whomever” will “come after” which one of us that has assets to attach if there is an incident even if I am not driving

]]> By: Worldtravel » Blog Archive » Car Rental Companies: Really Highway Robbers http://www.elliott.org/the-travel-critic/broadsided-5-new-car-rental-fees-to-avoid/comment-page-1/#comment-39911 Worldtravel » Blog Archive » Car Rental Companies: Really Highway Robbers Wed, 19 May 2010 14:23:04 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=6348#comment-39911 [...] with raging unbundling fever. And last year Chris Elliott, travel consumer advocate, wrote “Broadsided: 5 New Car Rental Fees to Avoid“  on his award-winning [...] [...] with raging unbundling fever. And last year Chris Elliott, travel consumer advocate, wrote “Broadsided: 5 New Car Rental Fees to Avoid“  on his award-winning [...]

]]> By: David http://www.elliott.org/the-travel-critic/broadsided-5-new-car-rental-fees-to-avoid/comment-page-1/#comment-31024 David Sat, 16 Jan 2010 17:29:25 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=6348#comment-31024 Plan you car rental properly , avoid cancellation and read the agreement before signing it Plan you car rental properly , avoid cancellation and read the agreement before signing it

]]> By: car rental singapore http://www.elliott.org/the-travel-critic/broadsided-5-new-car-rental-fees-to-avoid/comment-page-1/#comment-27768 car rental singapore Thu, 26 Nov 2009 20:22:40 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=6348#comment-27768 Always read the fine prints before you sign on anything. Always read the fine prints before you sign on anything.

]]> By: Singapore Car Rental http://www.elliott.org/the-travel-critic/broadsided-5-new-car-rental-fees-to-avoid/comment-page-1/#comment-27389 Singapore Car Rental Wed, 18 Nov 2009 19:12:46 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=6348#comment-27389 This happens with the big boys. You maybe able to get away from these fees if you use some of the independant car rental firms instead. This happens with the big boys. You maybe able to get away from these fees if you use some of the independant car rental firms instead.

]]> By: How the travel industry can win you back http://www.elliott.org/the-travel-critic/broadsided-5-new-car-rental-fees-to-avoid/comment-page-1/#comment-24165 How the travel industry can win you back Tue, 15 Sep 2009 10:32:39 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=6348#comment-24165 [...] period for late rentals to half an hour? Why did some of them eliminate it altogether? Answer: They wanted to make more money. But it only made customers upset. Are these ridiculous new policies worth the frustration they [...] [...] period for late rentals to half an hour? Why did some of them eliminate it altogether? Answer: They wanted to make more money. But it only made customers upset. Are these ridiculous new policies worth the frustration they [...]

]]> By: Car Rental Singapore http://www.elliott.org/the-travel-critic/broadsided-5-new-car-rental-fees-to-avoid/comment-page-1/#comment-23634 Car Rental Singapore Wed, 02 Sep 2009 04:44:26 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=6348#comment-23634 The bottom line is – understand their terms and conditions and read the car rental agreement before signing on the paper. The bottom line is – understand their terms and conditions and read the car rental agreement before signing on the paper.

]]> By: Triston http://www.elliott.org/the-travel-critic/broadsided-5-new-car-rental-fees-to-avoid/comment-page-1/#comment-23324 Triston Fri, 28 Aug 2009 12:37:22 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=6348#comment-23324 I agree that a lot of the car rental companies have hidden fees. So it's is always a good habit to ask for the final amount and whether there are any more additional fees. For instance, some charge mileage but did not inform before hand. I agree that a lot of the car rental companies have hidden fees. So it’s is always a good habit to ask for the final amount and whether there are any more additional fees. For instance, some charge mileage but did not inform before hand.

]]> By: Carver http://www.elliott.org/the-travel-critic/broadsided-5-new-car-rental-fees-to-avoid/comment-page-1/#comment-19351 Carver Sun, 10 May 2009 00:55:12 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=6348#comment-19351 @jeff I'm sorry, but I have to disagree with basically everything you said. Your first statement is far too broad a statement to make without knowing something about the drivers. For example, 25 year old primary driver shouldn't pay more to add a 45 year old parent. And in fact, if it were a regular insurance contract, the premium might actually go down. I suspect that the reason why insurance companies charge more for a second driver is the same reason why they charge more if you drive alot of miles. A second driver equals more driving time, equals more opportunity for an accident. However, that's not necessarily true with a rental car, particularly a business rental. In fact, if you have status with the rental car company, they will often waive the additional driver charge, particularly if its a spouse. With regards to an unlisted driver, that really doesn't matter unless you lost your mind and purchased insurance from the car rental company. As the renter, you are always fully responsible for the car and any accidents. Having someone else drive the car doesn't increase your liability. What failing to add an additional renter to the contract does is void any insurance you bought from the car rental company. I submit that car rental companies charge for additional drivers for one reason and one only; they can get away with it. @jeff

I’m sorry, but I have to disagree with basically everything you said.

Your first statement is far too broad a statement to make without knowing something about the drivers. For example, 25 year old primary driver shouldn’t pay more to add a 45 year old parent. And in fact, if it were a regular insurance contract, the premium might actually go down.

I suspect that the reason why insurance companies charge more for a second driver is the same reason why they charge more if you drive alot of miles. A second driver equals more driving time, equals more opportunity for an accident. However, that’s not necessarily true with a rental car, particularly a business rental.

In fact, if you have status with the rental car company, they will often waive the additional driver charge, particularly if its a spouse.

With regards to an unlisted driver, that really doesn’t matter unless you lost your mind and purchased insurance from the car rental company. As the renter, you are always fully responsible for the car and any accidents. Having someone else drive the car doesn’t increase your liability. What failing to add an additional renter to the contract does is void any insurance you bought from the car rental company.

I submit that car rental companies charge for additional drivers for one reason and one only; they can get away with it.

]]> By: Lawrence http://www.elliott.org/the-travel-critic/broadsided-5-new-car-rental-fees-to-avoid/comment-page-1/#comment-19347 Lawrence Sat, 09 May 2009 22:41:16 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=6348#comment-19347 Jeff, In your comments you said.... "Car rental companies charge additional driver fees for the same reason your insurance company does. It is additional risk, and if you look into the statistics, you will find that the majority of rental car accidents are caused by the additional driver. " I submit to you that there is absolutely no scientific reason that the "additional" driver is any more likely to have an accident than the original driver. Jeff,
In your comments you said…. “Car rental companies charge additional driver fees for the same reason your insurance company does. It is additional risk, and if you look into the statistics, you will find that the majority of rental car accidents are caused by the additional driver. ”

I submit to you that there is absolutely no scientific reason that the “additional” driver is any more likely to have an accident than the original driver.

]]> By: Jeff http://www.elliott.org/the-travel-critic/broadsided-5-new-car-rental-fees-to-avoid/comment-page-1/#comment-19264 Jeff Wed, 06 May 2009 14:28:11 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=6348#comment-19264 Car rental companies charge additional driver fees for the same reason your insurance company does. It is additional risk, and if you look into the statistics, you will find that the majority of rental car accidents are caused by the additional driver. So why do they charge this fee? Because they don't want you to have additional drivers. And if you have someone else drive with out putting them on the contract, they can hold you to unlimited liability. Most contracts protect you by law from the state to limit you liability, but by breaking this contract your rights go out the window. Car rental companies charge additional driver fees for the same reason your insurance company does. It is additional risk, and if you look into the statistics, you will find that the majority of rental car accidents are caused by the additional driver. So why do they charge this fee? Because they don’t want you to have additional drivers. And if you have someone else drive with out putting them on the contract, they can hold you to unlimited liability. Most contracts protect you by law from the state to limit you liability, but by breaking this contract your rights go out the window.

]]> By: Jen http://www.elliott.org/the-travel-critic/broadsided-5-new-car-rental-fees-to-avoid/comment-page-1/#comment-19252 Jen Wed, 06 May 2009 04:43:15 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=6348#comment-19252 Just thought I'd let you know that renting through Hotwire or some similar site is no guarantee, either. My husband and I rented a car with Hertz though Hotwire last August. When we arrived at the Hertz location, reservation in-hand, we waited in line with everyone else only to be told that because we booked with Hotwire, we had to check in with their kisok rather than with a human being. Then, when the kiosk charged me $10/day for insurance plus another $10/day for my husband to be a driver and I complained, their agent said that these higher than normal add-on fees were BECAUSE I'd rented with Hotwire. They laid the blame on Hotwire for not telling me what my inexpensive rate did and did not include. Just thought I’d let you know that renting through Hotwire or some similar site is no guarantee, either. My husband and I rented a car with Hertz though Hotwire last August. When we arrived at the Hertz location, reservation in-hand, we waited in line with everyone else only to be told that because we booked with Hotwire, we had to check in with their kisok rather than with a human being. Then, when the kiosk charged me $10/day for insurance plus another $10/day for my husband to be a driver and I complained, their agent said that these higher than normal add-on fees were BECAUSE I’d rented with Hotwire. They laid the blame on Hotwire for not telling me what my inexpensive rate did and did not include.

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