In article ,
"Posting2002" wrote:
> Hi,
>
> I have posted previously about my ~10 day travel to Los Angeles and
> surrounding area...now it's time for me to find a car ;-)...
>
> First of all a bit of background, I am from Canada, 24 years old (read:
> UNDER 25), I do have insurance on my own vehicle, I have all major credit
> card types (VISA, AMEX, MC), and I am with a university which has corporate
> numbers/benefits with the major rental companies in US and Canada.
>
> Now the issues are:
>
>
> 1) I checked the car rental companies (assume Budget rental for now) for
> their rates and called them. They mentioned with our corporate number I am
> allowed to have any car even if I am under 25.
>
> Question: if I book online using a service like Expedia/Travelocity/etc.
> which is cheaper, can I still use the corporate number to get rid of the age
> restriction?
Probably not, but the best authority on answering your first question is
your university's travel department. I work at a university too and in
order for me to rent under my employer's corporate agreement, I have
to book the rental car in advance via a special toll free number. Your
university's travel department might have a similar arrangement.
> 2) Insurance - I do not know the rules for California/US, I've only rented
> previously from Canada. My car insurance in Canada provides personal
> insurance, do I still need additional coverage? Budget rental was sketchy
> on this, saying insurance is extra at $15 per day.
Again, talk with the travel department at your university. if you are
booking the car under your university's corporate agreement, they might
well be self-insured, even for employees who are renting a card for
personal purposes under the corporate account. That's the way it is with
my university. The web site for my employer's travel department clearly
says to decline all insurance options, except for liability for those
who do not own a regular auto insurance policy. Your university's policy
might be the same; or it might not.
> What I want is: a) not to be liable for vehicle damage if I get into an
> accident, and b) not to be liable for any injury I might cause to a third
> party in an accident of my own fault.
>
> So for this, do I purchase extra insurance, or?
If your employer doesn't provide insurance coverage, check with your
credit cards and your own insurance company. It might be cheaper to get
an extension on your regular auto policy that has these coverages.
> 3) I understand various car companies give discounts when using a specific
> credit card to pay the rental, how do I find out about this?
Simple enough. Check the web site for each of your credit cards, or call
their toll free numbers to find out about any deals they offer.
> Also I assume if there is a discount it cannot be applied to reduce the
> Expedia/Travelocity/etc. prices even lower ;-)
Yup, that would be a correct assumption. Since you are under age 25, you
will probably save most by renting under your employer's corporate
agreement since most rental agencies have a fairly high surcharge for
young drivers, but you won't know for sure until you ask the appropriate
people. |
