how illegal is it to let someone else drive your rental car?
Oct 7, 2009, 6:36 pm
#16
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Charlotte, NC
Posts: 1,086
It some situation, you're correct, in others, you aren't.
You can't make a general statement about insurance like that. People have different policies with different rules, and there are certainly situations in which your personal insurance covers other drivers besides your spouse.
And they might even do so if they're driving the car that they aren't authorized to drive. Then some people have umbrella liability policies. It's too complicated to give a single answer.
You can't make a general statement about insurance like that. People have different policies with different rules, and there are certainly situations in which your personal insurance covers other drivers besides your spouse.
And they might even do so if they're driving the car that they aren't authorized to drive. Then some people have umbrella liability policies. It's too complicated to give a single answer.
Oct 8, 2009, 3:26 am
#17
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: London
Posts: 1,546
As others have said, it varies from country to country (or State to State in US). In the UK, it is definitely illegal. In UK, even if you have a policy that covers you to drive other cars, that policy will always be endorsed "provided you have the owner's permission to drive" - and as you don't have the rental company permission you are not covered.
Also be aware that the Hertz #1 spouse coverage thing only applies in the US/Canada. It does not apply in Europe
Also be aware that the Hertz #1 spouse coverage thing only applies in the US/Canada. It does not apply in Europe
Oct 8, 2009, 6:23 am
#18
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Emeryville CA
Programs: UA 2MM, HY Diamond, ZE Pres
Posts: 117
I've never had a problem adding a driver to a rental at the Hertz counter.
Haven't yet tried to add one after the fact, by calling Hertz. Has anyone done this? At the counter, they enter the drivers license info of the additional driver, so maybe they do need to see the license in person.
Haven't yet tried to add one after the fact, by calling Hertz. Has anyone done this? At the counter, they enter the drivers license info of the additional driver, so maybe they do need to see the license in person.
Oct 8, 2009, 6:35 am
#19
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,090
I've never had a problem adding a driver to a rental at the Hertz counter.
Haven't yet tried to add one after the fact, by calling Hertz. Has anyone done this? At the counter, they enter the drivers license info of the additional driver, so maybe they do need to see the license in person.
Haven't yet tried to add one after the fact, by calling Hertz. Has anyone done this? At the counter, they enter the drivers license info of the additional driver, so maybe they do need to see the license in person.
Oct 8, 2009, 1:56 pm
#20
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: YYJ
Programs: Aeroplan, Priority Club, National Exec Elite, Hertz #1 Gold, Avis First, Thrifty Bluechip
Posts: 1,924
Here's a hypothetical question:
I'm the only driver while on vacation with my family. Let's say I fall out of a ferris wheel and become incapacitated. How do we go about getting the car back to Hertz?
I'm the only driver while on vacation with my family. Let's say I fall out of a ferris wheel and become incapacitated. How do we go about getting the car back to Hertz?
Oct 8, 2009, 2:56 pm
#21
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: HKG
Programs: Marriott Ambassador (Titanium Lifetime), BA Gold, Ex-Hertz 5* PC, Ex-HH Diamond, Ex-BD*G
Posts: 3,062
Oct 8, 2009, 5:18 pm
#23
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,090
I think the terms & conditions have a paragraph about emergencies. I would just call roadside and see what they say if that ever happens.
Oct 8, 2009, 8:53 pm
#24
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: MSE
Programs: BA Silver, TK Elite, Marriott Lifetime Platinum, NEXUS/GE
Posts: 466
I realize that I'm being a bit pedantic here but what about valets? I practically always valet my car at hotels, and often at restaurants too, and they're not authorized drivers.
Oct 8, 2009, 9:05 pm
#25
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: OAK
Programs: AS MVPG 100k
Posts: 3,756
Obviously, the hotel/resteraunt is ultimately liable, but could be a lot of hassle along the way.
Oct 9, 2009, 7:13 am
#26
Join Date: May 2006
Programs: Hertz PC, QF Plat, Velocity Gold, HHonors Gold, SPG Gold
Posts: 2,803
If something did happen and I wasn't covered I would be making ALOT of noise to the Managers and then owners of the establishment!
Oct 9, 2009, 10:35 am
#27
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: NY
Programs: Marriott Gold, UA Nobody, Hertz Gold, Avis Select
Posts: 786
For what it's worth, I just had to add my friends as authorized drivers to a leisure rental I booked. The fee was 3$ a day and one of my friends was not able to be added at the LGA location because his license had him living in Flushing (Queens), NY. His fiance/wife had no issues being added.
Oct 9, 2009, 11:40 am
#28
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,090
I don't have a rental jacket to refer to right now but I'm pretty sure there is something in the terms about valets and that they are authorized...
Oct 11, 2009, 1:50 pm
#29
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 1
If you would be "sick" or have an "emergency" the rental jacket, t/c, would give you leeway. I am going to check at my office in the morning, I have a jacket from my last weeks rental. But I am 99.9% sure that "in case of emergency" would cover a non listed driver.
Feb 27, 2011, 1:00 am
#30
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: MAN
Programs: F
Posts: 2,898
Just resurrecting this old thread with some new information: I asked Hertz the question and received the following reply:
Subject
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Does the rental agreement (Hertz Gold member) cover valet parking?...
Discussion Thread
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Response (Ewa) - 22/02/2011 01.41 PM
Dear Mr Redshift27
Thank you for your recent enquiry.
I would like to confirm, that our rates cover valet parking.
Valet attendants are authorized operators for the length of time it takes to park or retrieve a car.
We remain at your service and thank you for contacting Hertz.
Yours sincerely
Hertz Internet Helpdesk
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Does the rental agreement (Hertz Gold member) cover valet parking?...
Discussion Thread
---------------------------------------------------------------
Response (Ewa) - 22/02/2011 01.41 PM
Dear Mr Redshift27
Thank you for your recent enquiry.
I would like to confirm, that our rates cover valet parking.
Valet attendants are authorized operators for the length of time it takes to park or retrieve a car.
We remain at your service and thank you for contacting Hertz.
Yours sincerely
Hertz Internet Helpdesk