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Original poster

Car hire USA

8 replies

LumpyandBumps · 16/06/2025 00:13

Good evening,
I am hoping someone here had experience of hiring a car in the USA
I hope to visit my son, who is there working on a short contract.
He’s in a remote area and all the accommodation I’ve looked out say a car is essential.
I can be a bit of a worrier and I have been trying to find out how I can limit liability.
I’m happy to pay got extra cover.
It looks like I’d have to pay for roadside assistance if the car broke down. I don’t mind adding cover for that, and anything else. Although Collision Damage Waiver is included with zero excess, there are clauses in the agreement about taking money and admin fees if the vehicle is damaged, and also an immobilisation charge if it needs to be off the road for repairs. This is in addition to a 500$ deposit on a credit card.
I am normally a safe driver. I have been driving without accident for over 25 years, but I can’t control the actions of others.
Does anyone know if it’s possible to limit liability completely when using the car properly?
Thanks

OP posts:
Itallcomesdowntothis · 16/06/2025 00:18

The US is litigious. Get all the cover you can You can’t limit liability in the same way. Car insurance is very expensive. It doesn’t matter how long you have been driving or how careful a driver you are.

mathanxiety · 16/06/2025 00:23

Is there any way your DS could go to a city near where he is and meet you there? Does he have a vehicle he could use to go and pick you up?

LaLaLaLavaChChChChicken · 16/06/2025 00:24

When we hired a car, we went though MoneySavingExperts advice. It saved us loads and gave us excellent cover. We also took our dashcam with us.

mathanxiety · 16/06/2025 00:30

See if you can get a temporary AAA membership in the US or if your DS can join and add you as a visitor. AAA is the equivalent of AA in the UK and membership might even get you a discount on the cost of a rental. It would cover roadside assistance at the least.

tartyflette · 16/06/2025 00:32

You can take out car hire insurance cover (breakdown, accident, theft, whatever) in this country, before you leave, there are specialist firms that cover holiday hire cars.

Ask for quotes and check a few out, it could well be cheaper than buying it there from the same people you hire the car from. Take the relevant paperwork with you. Print it out if you only have online evidence.
Experience of car hire in the US was that the firms liked to sell you as many extras as possible with accompanying horror stories of what could happen if you didn't buy their insurance.

Original poster
LumpyandBumps · 16/06/2025 00:50

mathanxiety · 16/06/2025 00:23

Is there any way your DS could go to a city near where he is and meet you there? Does he have a vehicle he could use to go and pick you up?

My son doesn’t have a vehicle or use of one, and he is working at a residential camp, so only gets very limited time off. It might be that he can get a lift to somewhere with better transport links though. I had t thought about that. Thank you.

OP posts:
Original poster
LumpyandBumps · 16/06/2025 00:53

tartyflette · 16/06/2025 00:32

You can take out car hire insurance cover (breakdown, accident, theft, whatever) in this country, before you leave, there are specialist firms that cover holiday hire cars.

Ask for quotes and check a few out, it could well be cheaper than buying it there from the same people you hire the car from. Take the relevant paperwork with you. Print it out if you only have online evidence.
Experience of car hire in the US was that the firms liked to sell you as many extras as possible with accompanying horror stories of what could happen if you didn't buy their insurance.

Yes, I am a bit worried that they will try to add lots of unnecessary extras. I’d make a good target as I do panic a bit.
It didn’t occur to me that I could possibly have everything in place before I go, so thank you for your suggestion.

OP posts:
Cyclistmumgrandma · 16/06/2025 07:53

Read this about car hire and insurance on Martin Lewis’s site. https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/travel/cheap-car-hire/

Or listen to his podcast here

https://overcast.fm/+AAIp5-U8Dr4

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