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Renting a car
Renting a car can be
confusing, especially if you are a first-time renter or don't
understand the terminology involved. The following information is
intended to clarify some car rental industry terminology and provide a
guide to car rental for those who might be unfamiliar with the
process.
Understanding the Terms
and Charges
Always
ask about charges before you sign your car
rental agreement. If you are not sure about a specific charge
or have questions about language on your rental contract, ask questions at
the counter. Your friendly Rent-A-Wreck customer service representative
will be glad to help.
Car Rental
Jargon:
Collision Damage Waiver
(CDW), in states that allow it, is an optional
charge that is billed per day. Although many in the car
rental industry call it "collision damage" coverage, it's not
technically collision insurance. Rather, it is an agreement that the rental
car company, in our case Rent-A-Wreck, will pay for damages to your
rented vehicle. By declining the waiver, you accept responsibility for any
damages. However, under CDW, the company will not pay for bodily injuries
or damages to your personal property. If you do not buy CDW coverage or
are not covered by your personal auto insurance policy, you could be
liable for the full value of the car.
Some CDWs exclude coverage under certain circumstances during a car rental.
For example, coverage may be revoked if you damage the car when driving it
in a negligent manner, if a driver drinks alcohol or if a non-authorized
driver operates the car, or if you otherwise void the conditions of the
CDW.
The coverage offered by rental car companies may duplicate insurance
you have through your auto and homeowner's policies. Read your
insurance policies for specifics. If you're not sure about the
coverage, call your insurers. If you're traveling on business, your
employer may have insurance that covers you. Also, some credit card
companies and motor clubs provide members with free rental protection when
you use their cards to pay for rentals, so check with your card before you
visit the rental location.
Personal Accident Insurance (PAI)
Personal Accident
Insurance provides accidental death and medical coverage for the renter
and additional passengers during the time they are riding or driving with
you. Check your personal car insurance policy to see if it covers car
rentals. If your policy covers car rentals, you may not need PAI. This
insurance is usually optional.
Personal Effects Coverage
(PEC)
This coverage provides protection against loss or theft
of personal belongings from the rental car. Once again, check your own
auto insurance policy to determine whether your coverage includes rental
cars.
Supplemental Liability Insurance
(SLI)
SLI is an optional excess insurance that protects the renter
and other authorized operators against claims made by third parties for
bodily injury/death and property damage caused by the use or operation of
the rental vehicle. Check with your own auto insurance policy to determine
whether additional excess coverage is already provided.
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Have a specific question regarding your rental? For best results, contact the location from which you'd like to rent. To find the closest location, click here or
call 800-944-7501
Common charges you may encounter during your rental
A fuel charge is the amount that most rental car companies charge to your bill for gasoline. Some companies give you a half-tank at a charge of $10 to $15 and tell you to return the car empty; others fill the tank and charge for the amount of gas you use. Companies that do not charge for the initial tank may ask you to return the car with a full tank. If you don't, you'll be charged the rental company's price for gasoline. Always ask if you are unsure of specific fuel policies at the rental counter.
Mileage fees usually are assessed on a cents-per-mile basis or as a flat fee when you exceed the allotted free mileage cap on your car rental. Knowing approximately how far you will drive will allow you to select the mileage package is best for you.
Driver's Age
Usually, Rent-A-Wreck requires renters to be at least 18 years old, but some locations may require a minimum age of 25 years. For consumers under 25, a credit card is usually required for payment and the rental rate may be higher - please contact the individual Rent-A-Wreck car rental location from which you would like to rent for their specific age policies.
Taxes
In addition to the daily rental rate and the charges mentioned above, taxes (which vary by state) are also charged. At many airport rental locations, car rental firms may also charge an "airport surcharge" fee in addition to normal taxes.
Additional-driver fees and underage-driver fees are common in the car rental industry, and occur when you share the driving with another person or when a driver is under a certain age (often 25). Check with the Rent-A-Wreck location near you for specific policies.
Out-of-state charges are assessed when you drive the car out of the state in which it was rented.
Equipment-rental fees are imposed when you order extras such as ski racks, cd players, navigation equipment and other additional equipment that might be available. For specific information on additional equipment, please contact the individual Rent-A-Wreck location from which you would like to rent for specific prices and availability.
One-Way Rentals - Rent-A-Wreck does not offer one-way rentals due to the franchised nature of our locations.
REQUIREMENTS
Like all car rental companies, Rent-A-Wreck requires a valid state issued drivers license. International drivers with international licenses are welcome at Rent-A-Wreck - please contact the location from which you'd like to rent your vehicle to make all arrangements in advance.A refundable deposit will be required in most cases when you pick up your Rent-A-Wreck rental car. The deposit charge varies by the length of the rental and the size of the car and is most often charged to your credit card. Rent-A-Wreck does not process the amount unless you do not return the car as specified in your rental contract. Until you return the car, however, your spending limit on your credit card may be reduced by the amount of the deposit. This may be important if you plan to charge other items to your credit card and are near your credit limit. If you do not have a major credit card, or you do not want to charge the deposit, Rent-A-Wreck may ask for the deposit in cash.
Alternatives to Credit Card Payment
Many, but not all Rent-A-Wreck locations will rent to cash customers. Most who do will require that cash customers fill out a cash qualification questionnaire at the rental location during normal business hours so that it may be verified. A cash deposit will be required if a credit card is not presented for payment. If you are interested in renting a car using cash, please contact the individual location from which you would like to rent for their specific prices and policies.
Debit or 'check' carrying the logo of a major bank processor like VISA or Mastercard that are connected to checking accounts are also accepted as a form of payment at most Rent-A-Wreck locations. If a card like this is used to secure the rental, a deposit will be taken from the checking account tied to the card presented at the time of rental. The deposit will be refunded at the completion of the rental period, once the rental vehicle has been returned, the rental amount paid in full and the vehicle checked in and processed. Processing the deposit refund through a check or debit card may take as many as ten business days.
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