How to rent a car where the second driver cannot be present at rental pickup time?
I'm living in Vancouver and would like to rent a car and go on a road trip with a friend from Seattle. Local car rentals usually allow at least one extra driver for free, but the standard requirement is for both drivers to show up at the rental desk. In my particular scenario this is inconvenient as I want to pick up a car at YVR airport and head down to Washington to go pick up my friend.
Is it possible to somehow circumvent this requirement and have the second driver be added to the insurance without showing up in person? Question is limited to major car rental companies in North America to reduce the scope.
Best Answer
I've asked a rental car company about this. I was told that the second person had to be present, however, "if the second person happened to be stuck at the airport collecting luggage or something, and I happened to have their driving licence, they'd add them". In other words, they'd let me add a second person if I had their driving licence with me and made up a story that they were nearby.
Can the other person fedex their licence to you or something? If so, you could try that.
Alternatively, if the rental car company has offices in the US, they will let you add the second person at another office if you turn up with them. I've done that before on several occasions.
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Do additional drivers need to be present when renting a car Avis?
The rental vehicle is normally only insured for the person who makes the rental. If others plan to drive the car, they must be present at time of rental to be added to the Rental Agreement. All additional drivers must present a full driver's license that has been held for at least one year.Can you add a second driver to a rental car?
In most cases, you can add up to three additional drivers per car \u2013 sometimes even more. There's normally a daily fee per additional driver, although you might be lucky and find a special deal online for one or more free additional drivers.6 CAR RENTAL SECRETS HERTZ, BUDGET \u0026 ENTERPRISE Don't Want You to Know! (2020 UPDATED)
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Answer 2
Most of the answers here, and the question too for that matter, seem to assume that you're going to use the rental agency's loss damage waiver, and in my experience, they're accurate.
However, most "premium" credit cards (MC World, MC World Elite, etc...) have a "Travel Protection" benefit which covers you, and any drivers you authorize, to drive the vehicle. For example the CIBC credit card insurance states that:
(2) Any other person who drives the same rental vehicle with Your permission whether or not such person has been listed on the rental vehicle contract or has been identified to the Rental Agency at the time of making the rental, however, You and all drivers must otherwise qualify under and follow the terms of the rental contract and must be legally licensed and permitted to drive the rental vehicle under the laws of the jurisdiction in which the rental vehicle shall be used.
Generally they'll ask you to book, and pay for, the rental on said credit card, and specifically decline the agency's LDW.
Not all classes of vehicles are covered, and the terms can vary by issuer, so it's best to get a copy of them, to confirm if your card provides the benefit, and what's required to be covered.
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