USA car hire

[FastNLoud]

I'm going to America and want to hire a car for a week. I'm planning on hiring a mustang from the hertz adrenaline collection. However i have never hired a car before so I'm after advice and tips on how not to get stung by any hidden fee's. Does there insurance cover all eventualities? Should I be concerned about the excess? Do i need to go over the car with a fine toothcomb when I collect because they will try to charge me for every tiny nick on the car when its returned? Also what's the best thing to do regarding GPS - use my phone or hire one?
Thanks!

[TikTak]

Same general rental rules apply as anywhere else. Excess is of course massive, yeah they'll pick on scratches, especially with higher value hires. Don't buy anything over the counter.

Make sure you got an International Drivers Permit. Obviously don't speed, and be aware if you're renting in a place that doesn't commonly have the car your renting, police have been known to target those make/models for speeding infractions (know a few people who have been done as soon as they gave it a boot).

You probably want a copy of your license (heard people have theirs taken off them) when stopped by police.

If you got the data use your phone not an ancient sat nav that they'll charge the earth for.

Probably buy rental/excess insurance before you go. It's infinitely cheaper.

Mainly have a good time and don't do anything silly and you'll be fine.

[Muzzer79]

FastNLoud said:

I'm going to America and want to hire a car for a week. I'm planning on hiring a mustang from the hertz adrenaline collection. However i have never hired a car before so I'm after advice and tips on how not to get stung by any hidden fee's. Does there insurance cover all eventualities? Should I be concerned about the excess? Do i need to go over the car with a fine toothcomb when I collect because they will try to charge me for every tiny nick on the car when its returned? Also what's the best thing to do regarding GPS - use my phone or hire one?
Thanks!

I always buy seperate car hire insurance excess cover. It's about £50 for a whole year or much less for one trip. You are then covered, but be aware that you will still have to cover the excess on your credit card when collecting the car.

I always found the Americans much more relaxed when it came to damage to the car but, common sense again prevails. Take a video on your phone covering each panel of the car, windscreen and wheels when collecting. Do the same again when you drop it off. Both vital pieces of evidence if you get problems.

GPS - I'd expect the Mustang to have it built in, if not just use Waze or Google Maps on your phone.

[Chucklehead]

TikTak said:

Same general rental rules apply as anywhere else. Excess is of course massive, yeah they'll pick on scratches, especially with higher value hires. Don't buy anything over the counter.

That's not the case at all. The US is pretty much the single example where the general rental rules do not apply, though what does apply depends on what licence you have and what website you book from.

Assuming you're UK based and UK licence holder (or at least, Europe-based and European licence holder), then you should book on a UK (or EU) site. That way you will get full CDW/LDW with no excess. If you're looking at something like the Shelby GT-H on the Hertz direct site then it might be worth double-checking they haven't revised those rules. If you book on a broker site, Rentalcars, Expedia, Holiday Autos etc then you will get "full" LDW which carries no excess. Since covid, more and more companies have startled unbundling their rental rates on their own direct site (Sixt, Hertz, Avis etc), so you might see insurance being excluded. Best to check.

If you book on the US rental company site (whether broker or direct) then you won't get any LDW included. The way rates are managed for inbound vs domestic business you would usually get a cheaper rate on the .co.uk site vs the .com site even before you take the cost of adding LDW into consideration.

If you are set on booking on the US website and don't get LDW included or buy the cover from the rental company, then there are a few companies that sell a policy - Questor etc. Some fancy AMEX cards cover it too. Note that CDW/LDW is not the same as Excess Cover. Excess covers what CDW/LDW does not, but when you book without CDW then you don't have an excess - you are responsible for the full market value of the vehicle.

[Matt..]

Is an International Drivers License a thing that is actually required? I have never had one of those for driving in the US but haven't driven there since 2018 so this could have changed.

Edited by Matt.. on Monday 7th August 12:48

[Truckosaurus]

If you have a photo licence then an IDP isn't required, if you have an ancient paper licence held together with sellotape and are planning on going somewhere where they don't see many tourists they might think you are taking the piss.

Annoyingly the Foreign Office updated their Travel Guidance for the USA last week to add 'check the state DMV for IDP rules.

The main advice, as said, is to book via the UK version of the multinational rental site, also don't get attached to the type of car as most busy airports seem to be pot-luck what you'll get.

You can buy excess insurance from firms like Eversure, for around £50 annually, which soon works out cheaper that the daily excess insurance the rental firm offers at around £8-10+ a day.

[gotoPzero]

Each state has their own rules. On the whole most require an IDP but only if you don't meet the below:

DL is valid, is a photo card type, is in English and shows your entitlement to drive that class of vehcile.

However its always good to have an IDP. Its a back up in case you lose your DL.
Also, if you got in real big trouble in the US then you hand over your IDP not your actual DL.

[djc206]

Chucklehead said:

That's not the case at all. The US is pretty much the single example where the general rental rules do not apply, though what does apply depends on what licence you have and what website you book from.

Assuming you're UK based and UK licence holder (or at least, Europe-based and European licence holder), then you should book on a UK (or EU) site. That way you will get full CDW/LDW with no excess. If you're looking at something like the Shelby GT-H on the Hertz direct site then it might be worth double-checking they haven't revised those rules. If you book on a broker site, Rentalcars, Expedia, Holiday Autos etc then you will get "full" LDW which carries no excess. Since covid, more and more companies have startled unbundling their rental rates on their own direct site (Sixt, Hertz, Avis etc), so you might see insurance being excluded. Best to check.

If you book on the US rental company site (whether broker or direct) then you won't get any LDW included. The way rates are managed for inbound vs domestic business you would usually get a cheaper rate on the .co.uk site vs the .com site even before you take the cost of adding LDW into consideration.

If you are set on booking on the US website and don't get LDW included or buy the cover from the rental company, then there are a few companies that sell a policy - Questor etc. Some fancy AMEX cards cover it too. Note that CDW/LDW is not the same as Excess Cover. Excess covers what CDW/LDW does not, but when you book without CDW then you don't have an excess - you are responsible for the full market value of the vehicle.

^listen to this man

I have annual excess cover but it’s generally not necessary in the US for the reasons above.

[ro250]

djc206 said:

Chucklehead said:

That's not the case at all. The US is pretty much the single example where the general rental rules do not apply, though what does apply depends on what licence you have and what website you book from.

Assuming you're UK based and UK licence holder (or at least, Europe-based and European licence holder), then you should book on a UK (or EU) site. That way you will get full CDW/LDW with no excess. If you're looking at something like the Shelby GT-H on the Hertz direct site then it might be worth double-checking they haven't revised those rules. If you book on a broker site, Rentalcars, Expedia, Holiday Autos etc then you will get "full" LDW which carries no excess. Since covid, more and more companies have startled unbundling their rental rates on their own direct site (Sixt, Hertz, Avis etc), so you might see insurance being excluded. Best to check.

If you book on the US rental company site (whether broker or direct) then you won't get any LDW included. The way rates are managed for inbound vs domestic business you would usually get a cheaper rate on the .co.uk site vs the .com site even before you take the cost of adding LDW into consideration.

If you are set on booking on the US website and don't get LDW included or buy the cover from the rental company, then there are a few companies that sell a policy - Questor etc. Some fancy AMEX cards cover it too. Note that CDW/LDW is not the same as Excess Cover. Excess covers what CDW/LDW does not, but when you book without CDW then you don't have an excess - you are responsible for the full market value of the vehicle.

^listen to this man

I have annual excess cover but it’s generally not necessary in the US for the reasons above.

Yes (and sorry, but I can't agree with pretty much all of the first reply in the thread). I've never heard of an International Drivers Permit and I've driven in the US many times. Just googled it and I'm still none the wiser!

It's actually very liberating when you see you have full CDW/LDW with zero excess which means you really don't need to worry what happens to the car!

[TikTak]

Hidden fees can be rife with booking across .com/.co.uk websites. Be certain to actually read the fine print that the reason it isn't $300 cheaper is because there is $350 to pay at the counter.

I've never hired a car in any country where there isn't an excess, regardless of inclusive, partial or additional waivers unless you pay for the "super premium" option which typically at least doubles the price of the rental. I guess we are on PH where money is no object to some.

I've also never seen a place where the terms aren't explained in writing and verbally before the rental. Hence why I said, all usual things still apply, because they do. Acting like having a CDW means you can drive it how you want all the time and return it in any condition is a recipe for disaster. Not to mention most of these don't cover the other vehicle and the suing culture in the states.

ro250 said:

I've never heard of an International Drivers Permit and I've driven in the US many times. Just googled it and I'm still none the wiser!

Must be my classy googling skills but you only need to put in 3 characters and the result returns the GOV website.

https://www.gov.uk/driving-abroad/international-dr...

I've needed it everywhere I've driven outside the UK/EEA. I know a couple people who have had accidents outside these zones and all have had insurance issues for not providing documents when this wasn't obtained even with a photo license.

[djc206]

TikTak said:

Hidden fees can be rife with booking across .com/.co.uk websites. Be certain to actually read the fine print that the reason it isn't $300 cheaper is because there is $350 to pay at the counter.

I've never hired a car in any country where there isn't an excess, regardless of inclusive, partial or additional waivers unless you pay for the "super premium" option which typically at least doubles the price of the rental. I guess we are on PH where money is no object to some.

I've also never seen a place where the terms aren't explained in writing and verbally before the rental. Hence why I said, all usual things still apply, because they do. Acting like having a CDW means you can drive it how you want all the time and return it in any condition is a recipe for disaster. Not to mention most of these don't cover the other vehicle and the suing culture in the states.

ro250 said:

I've never heard of an International Drivers Permit and I've driven in the US many times. Just googled it and I'm still none the wiser!

Must be my classy googling skills but you only need to put in 3 characters and the result returns the GOV website.

https://www.gov.uk/driving-abroad/international-dr...

I've needed it everywhere I've driven outside the UK/EEA. I know a couple people who have had accidents outside these zones and all have had insurance issues for not providing documents when this wasn't obtained even with a photo license.

If you’ve rented in the US you almost certainly had a zero excess. I’ve got two bookings for next month with it clearly stated that the excess is $0.

[Sheepshanks]

djc206 said:

If you’ve rented in the US you almost certainly had a zero excess. I’ve got two bookings for next month with it clearly stated that the excess is $0.

I think they're illegal in the US, which is why the rental companies don't bother looking at the car on return, although there was talk of some States allowing them.


I've driven in various US States with a UK paper licence and never had any issues renting a car. Never had an IDP (I am aware of them though).

[Hants PHer]

I've just booked our rental car for our USA trip in November - we're picking the car up from LAX and doing a South West loop, returning to LAX.

I booked through a UK site and their package included two drivers, full-to-full fuel, zero excess and all insurances. The provider is Alamo.

This website: https://www.gov.uk/driving-abroad/international-dr... suggests that a IDP is not needed in the USA since you'll have a passport with you for photo ID, if you have an older paper licence.

[ro250]

TikTak said:

Hidden fees can be rife with booking across .com/.co.uk websites. Be certain to actually read the fine print that the reason it isn't $300 cheaper is because there is $350 to pay at the counter.

I've never hired a car in any country where there isn't an excess, regardless of inclusive, partial or additional waivers unless you pay for the "super premium" option which typically at least doubles the price of the rental. I guess we are on PH where money is no object to some.

I've also never seen a place where the terms aren't explained in writing and verbally before the rental. Hence why I said, all usual things still apply, because they do. Acting like having a CDW means you can drive it how you want all the time and return it in any condition is a recipe for disaster. Not to mention most of these don't cover the other vehicle and the suing culture in the states.

ro250 said:

I've never heard of an International Drivers Permit and I've driven in the US many times. Just googled it and I'm still none the wiser!

Must be my classy googling skills but you only need to put in 3 characters and the result returns the GOV website.

https://www.gov.uk/driving-abroad/international-dr...

I've needed it everywhere I've driven outside the UK/EEA. I know a couple people who have had accidents outside these zones and all have had insurance issues for not providing documents when this wasn't obtained even with a photo license.

I saw that and for the US it says "If you have an older, paper UK driving licence, you must take another form of photographic ID, such as your passport. You may need to show an IDP to your insurance company if you’re involved in an accident.". That isn't helpful or clear.

When you say you've "needed it everywhere" who asked to see it? How did you need it?

I agree about hidden fees; I always book direct with the hire car companies.

[captain_cynic]

Matt.. said:

Is an International Drivers License a thing that is actually required? I have never had one of those for driving in the US but haven't driven there since 2018 so this could have changed.

Edited by Matt.. on Monday 7th August 12:48

It isn't and you don't need one for the United States.

An International Driving Permit (not a license) is just a translation of your license into 12 other languages. As the US (ostensibly) speaks English you don't need it translated. Never had anyone over there look twice at either my Australian or UK driving licenses (except the gent hiring out the Fezza pointing out my old Aussie license ended in the numbers 458).

A while ago Florida (I think) tried making it a requirement but the Federal govt shut that idea down as international tourism is a federal matter.

Edited by captain_cynic on Monday 7th August 17:57

[Muzzer79]

TikTak said:

ro250 said:

I've never heard of an International Drivers Permit and I've driven in the US many times. Just googled it and I'm still none the wiser!

Must be my classy googling skills but you only need to put in 3 characters and the result returns the GOV website.

https://www.gov.uk/driving-abroad/international-dr...

I've needed it everywhere I've driven outside the UK/EEA. I know a couple people who have had accidents outside these zones and all have had insurance issues for not providing documents when this wasn't obtained even with a photo license.

I've hired cars multiple times in the US and other non UK/EEA countries and never had to produce an IDP.

It's only a requirement in certain states.

[captain_cynic]

FastNLoud said:

I'm going to America and want to hire a car for a week. I'm planning on hiring a mustang from the hertz adrenaline collection. However i have never hired a car before so I'm after advice and tips on how not to get stung by any hidden fee's. Does there insurance cover all eventualities? Should I be concerned about the excess? Do i need to go over the car with a fine toothcomb when I collect because they will try to charge me for every tiny nick on the car when its returned? Also what's the best thing to do regarding GPS - use my phone or hire one?
Thanks!

Insurance can be a bit of a pain, they've several different types (Personal injury, two types of property), easiest solution is to just book from the UK site and get all the insurances included with a $0 excess. It may be a little bit more expensive but it means they won't sting you for a tiny scratch or even a big one (I once returned a car with a bit kerb rash and nowt was said) and it's a pain to have to sort out things between different companies as you'll still be up for paying the excess, you're just claiming it back from your insurer.

As for GPS, just use your phone. Even if the car has a GPS as standard, Google Maps will be far better.

Also as I've said above, no need to get a IDP, they'll accept your UK license.

[x5tuu]

Muzzer79 said:

TikTak said:

ro250 said:

I've never heard of an International Drivers Permit and I've driven in the US many times. Just googled it and I'm still none the wiser!

Must be my classy googling skills but you only need to put in 3 characters and the result returns the GOV website.

https://www.gov.uk/driving-abroad/international-dr...

I've needed it everywhere I've driven outside the UK/EEA. I know a couple people who have had accidents outside these zones and all have had insurance issues for not providing documents when this wasn't obtained even with a photo license.

I've hired cars multiple times in the US and other non UK/EEA countries and never had to produce an IDP.

It's only a requirement in certain states.

Same, Ive been regularly hiring cars in the USA, Canada, UAE, KSA, Qatar, Thailand, etc. and never been asked for anything other than my photo card license and passport. IDP isn't needed IMO.


As for the OP - I used to have annual excess insurance with https://www.reducemyexcess.co.uk for £42ish per year, and they can add CDW and LDW onto this for about £8/year. Ive only let it lapse in favour of using AMEX Platinum as it was a duplicate coverage.

[gotoPzero]

Thailand defo needs one... they just don't tell you when you rent a car / scooter!

[ro250]

x5tuu said:

Same, Ive been regularly hiring cars in the USA, Canada, UAE, KSA, Qatar, Thailand, etc. and never been asked for anything other than my photo card license and passport. IDP isn't needed IMO.


As for the OP - I used to have annual excess insurance with https://www.reducemyexcess.co.uk for £42ish per year, and they can add CDW and LDW onto this for about £8/year. Ive only let it lapse in favour of using AMEX Platinum as it was a duplicate coverage.

But in most cases excess is zero for Brits in the US.

And even if you don't have data on your phone in the US, download the area in Google Maps before you go and you can use it without Roaming (you just don't get traffic data). One thing they do seem to charge for is satnav in rentals.