Rental car...is it necessary to purchase the second driver fee?
 

Just wondering if this is necessary or not. My husband and I will be in Maui and Kauai for 16 days. Doesn't our personal insurance cover us? Or if we pay with AmEx, are we covered? Any info on whether or not its worth spending an additional $7 a day, would be excellent!

Just call your insurance agent and ask what your policy says. That's what we did.

According to the Travel Detective (book) most people's policies DO cover them and the rental Ins. is unnecessary...but I'd check (and DID). Belle

Thanks Belle!

Jenna, many rental car companies don't charge for spouses...although some do. Check the website or call the 800 number of the one with the best rate. The second driver fee and insurance are two different issues.

I may be mistaken, but I believe the question you asked JennaJ, and the one OldSouthernBelle answered, are two different questions.

It sounds as if OSB is answering the question of whether or not your insurance will cover a rental car. It will, but with limitations.

What I think you are asking, is if it will cover a 2nd driver on the rental car if that person has not been added on as an additional driver at the rental company. The answer to that is most likely, &quot;No&quot;! Your own policy is written to cover you in an accident in any vehicle, your own or otherwise, if you have <i>permission</i> to use that vehicle. If you have not been added as a 2nd driver on the rental car, then they have not given you permission to use the vehicle and under those circumstances your company not only can, but most likely will, deny coverage. Don't chance it.

Renting thru' Hertz #1 Club Gold, one's spouse is an authorised driver automatically.
Others differ, Alamo for example wanted $5.95/day for an additional driver tho' some say they got it free so maybe it's negotiable at check-in.

For other insurance coverage that depends on your own coverage(perhaps) and possible (usually secondary) coverage thru' some credit cards. Check with your provider and relevant credit cards you have and/or might use.

OO is offering good advice. This is not like sneaking another person into a hotel room. The consequences can be severe if the car is damaged when driven by person who is not listed as a driver on the rental agreement. If you're not on the rental agreement as a second driver your own car insurance will likely not cover any damage. Do not risk it.

We booked through Hertz recently and were told that with our AAA discount there is no charge for the 2nd driver.

I sure hope JennaJ doesn't take OldSouthernBelle's post as THE answer and doesn't come back to the thread to check for more info.

unfortunately Jenna's question mixed apples and oranges so that was a problem in the first place.

JennaJ: as most of the others say - additional driver fees and insurance are two entirely different things.

Only if you want to drive the car legally.

Thanks for the comments. They were helpful. I have decided to add on a second driver and pay the fee's (of course, I will first try and negotiate a free add on).

- Members of Hertz #1 Club Gold and National's Emerald Aisle automatically receive the spouse as an authorized driver at no extra charge

- Use of AAA discount code (provided you are a member of AAA) at Hertz also automatically includes the spouse as an authorized driver at no extra charge

- To the best of my knowledge, none of Avis' membership programs/rate codes provide for the spouse as an authorized driver without a charge

If your rental doesn't fall into any of the above categories, I suggest checking the terms and conditions of the rental with the rental car company. In my experience, most do NOT provide for the spouse as an authorized drive without a charge.

Correction to my post above.

- Spouse is an authorized driver provided the spouse is 25 or older on all AVIS rentals. No extra charge.

Do not let anyone touch the wheel of the car (and this includes valet) unless they are listed as a driver of the car.

You will be responsible for damages, no matter what.The rental co. (at check in) will want a copy of their DL. Then if it's free or a fee you are covered.

Well, I apologize if I misunderstood...thought the question was &quot;doesn't our personal insurance cover us?&quot;
Of course it would only have the potential to do that if you are listed as a legal driver of the rented car!

But...I'm glad to know some of you have found the fee negotiable...we will certainly ask for it to be waived...never hurts to ask! Belle.

We recently rented with Enterprise and spouse was added at no charge.

Yes, some charge for the second driver even if it is the spouse. Most don't, in my experience. And yes, if that person is driving, he better be listed. Your credit card usually covers the CDW.

The irony of it all is that no matter who is driving, the renter is the one liable. That was made VERY clear to my party of 8, renting two Hertz cars. We were all AAA members, so all signed on for free, (what a ridiculous hassle that was) but we were told repeatedly that the original renter was the one they would come after in the event of an accident.

I've found variations among the rental companies. Be sure to ask. Many do not charge an additional fee for spouse or domestic partner. For our corporate rentals, other company personnel are covered.

Don't take changes. Ask and sign them up as an additional driver. If there is any chance they may drive, sign them up...and pay a fee if needed. I agree that this is not a time to sneak around. Too much at stake in case of an accident.

There is a twist to even those rental car companies that USUALY do not charge a fee to add a spouse or domestic partner. Some local rental offices will charge you while others will not. National never charged me before, but the downtown Seattle location did...so I rented from Alamo which did not and the prices were similar.

I don't recall ever paying a second driver fee for cars rented in the US. When my mother would still drive on vacation, I've rented cars and had her added as a second driver, but not fee was added. There was a notation made and a copy of her DL. I rent with AAA and normally through Budget.

Unless your name is on the rental contract, you are not covered. Even if a spouse is free, his/her name, license # etc. needs to be on the contract. A previous poster is correct that even valets who park your car at a restaurant, hotel, etc. are not covered and you would be liable for any damage they cause. This is according to our insurance agent to whom we asked this question several years ago. Friends were astonished about the valet thing and some had their own agents verify.

Jacqueline 1212, your insurance agent can speak only with regard to your insurance policy and not for coverage on rental cars in general. Policies differ in their coverage of rental cars, and some policies don't cover rental cars at all. Also some policies do not cover BOTH the vehicle named in the policy AND a rental car at the same time. A rental car may be covered only if the primary vehicle is not in use. It is only reasonable that the insurance company does not want to insure two vehicles at the same time.

Check your own insurance coverage with your insurer.

Rusty: Here here!! Belle.