Jibboo

Can you really get in trouble with the rental company (Hertz in this case) if you don't sign up for Additonal Authorized Drivers. Even if all your drivers have valid drivers licenses and auto insurance,

Suzie

How were you imagining that the rental car company would find out about the unauthorized driver? Car wreck? Traffic ticket? Truth or dare?

Jibboo

I alright perhaps I wasn't clear enough, in what instances would we get in trouble for not signing up an authorized driver.

Dan

Legally, Hertz gives only authorized drivers permission to use the car. Anyone else and it could be considered stolen/unauthorized use according to Hertz. This can be a big deal in case of an accident as the driver's insurance may not pay for a claim if the driver did not have permission from the owner (Hertz) to operate the car. I don't believe the authorized driver has the legal right to assign this privilege to anyone else.

OliveOyl

I'm wearing my claims adjuster hat now. Dan hit the nail on the head--if the car is in a wreck with the unauthorized driver at the wheel, any insurance with the rental company is nul, and your insurance won't cover it either as you were driving the car without permission. I handled a claim like this where our policyholder was hit (and not at fault) by a rental with an unauthorized driver. Everyone refused to pay, and last I knew, we were still trying to reover our loss as well as our policyholder's deductible from someone, anyone...going after the individual himself attaching whatever he possessed. Not worth the risk jibboo!!

MileKing

If you want to avoid paying the additional driver fee that most rental companies charge (and still be covered in a wreck), you should know that there are exceptions for some Additional Authorized Drivers.

The following is lifted from the Hertz website. It would seem that for non-spouse additional drivers, there is no extra charge if both the renter and additional authorized driver are AAA members and use a AAA rate on the rental.

"Authorized Operators
Acceptable Authorized Operators are automatically covered on the Rental Agreement.
Authorized Operators are:
- The employer, employee or fellow employee of renter on company business, (when booking includes company Corporate Discount Number).
- The renter's spouse for rentals that originate in California, Nevada or New York.
- The spouse or domestic partner of Hertz Number One Club Gold or Platinum members.
- Authorized Operators do not have to be present at time of rental.
- There are no fees for Authorized Operators.



Additional Authorized Operators
- Individuals not automatically covered on the Rental Agreement as Authorized Operators noted above need to be approved by Hertz after completing an "Authorized for Additional Operator" form.
- An applicable driving record will be performed - Additional Authorized Operators can be added at time of rental or at any renting location.
- Renter and each Additional Authorized Operator must be present to sign Rental Agreement, present an acceptable credit card (debit cards not acceptable) or current round-trip ticket (air, train or bus), show valid driver's license, and must be a minimum of 25 years of age.
(The credit card or round-trip ticket requirement does not apply to a spouse or domestic partner).

Additional Authorized Operators Fees -
USD 7.00 per day, maximum USD 35.00 per rental, for each Additional Authorized Operator per rental.

Exceptions -
California - no fee for Additional Authorized Operators
Nevada - no fee for the first Additional Authorized Operator. The second and subsequent drivers are USD 5.00 per day, up to a maximum charge of USD 35.00 per driver, per rental.

NY State - USD 3.00 per Additional Authorized Operator per day with a maximum charge of USD 36.00 per rental. This fee applies to all locations in New York State.

AAA - Spouse/Domestic Partner of AAA members are not required to have a separate AAA membership in order to receive the free AAO privileges. For other rentals, the AAO fee is also waived when both the renter and the AAO are AAA members.

USAA - No charge for qualified Additional Authorized Operators who are USAA members when signing on to a qualified USAA rental.

AARP - No charge for qualified Additional Authorized Operators who are AARP members or member's spouse when signing on to a
qualified AARP rental."

Jibboo

Thanks, but I did go to the Hertz website, I was just looking for some feed back. A big problem is that only one of the drivers has a credit card and this is a road trip, with therefore no airline ticket to present. Hertz clearly states that a credit card must be presented for each AAO.

Jibboo

Sorry hit post too quick. No credit cards means no xtra drivers, so what are we to do???

Dan

You may call Hertz to clarify the credit card issue. I can't imagine why they'd need a SEPARATE card for each driver as long as the primary driver who initially gave a credit card authorizes each additional driver.

Jibboo

Called Hertz each driver must have their own credit card. Any other suggestions companies to try?

ncgrrl

If the other driver is American, it's not hard to get a credit card. Check your mail, magazines, heck there probably is a link on Fodors.com for a credit card.

Or have your credit card company issue a card in that person's name (your account). Though I wouldn't do that with someone I don't think would be financially responsible.