Car rental age surchage (<25)

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(jmann @ Jan 21 2007, 12:16 AM) [snapback]378521[/snapback]</div>

That's a little drastic to save a few bucks, isn't it?

 

When I was under 25, I also encountered being charged extra by some rental car agencies. There are some that won't even rent to you at all if you're under 25 unless it's rented via corporate account.

 

We had trouble even with corporate accounts and young drivers, so that isn't always a way around it.

The car rental companies really don't want your business, and they are hoping that $10 will scare you away. And the insurance companies think you're a greater risk. And that's because you have the misfortune of being in an age group that has a higher incidence of drinking and driving , has auto accidents as the leading cause of death, and are the absolute worst drivers statistically speaking, except for those over 75 years of age.

There is one consolation for being in a statistical quagmire: you will grow out of it. There aren't many societal prejudices that go away just because you get older.

 

The rental companies just playing the percentages.

The percentage of drivers, under 25, who will drive a rental car like a maniac because, 'hey, it ain't my car' - is much higher than the over 25 crowd.

Ten bucks sounds about reasonable, considering the extra wear and tear on the tires, stereo speakers, engine, transmission, suspension, upholstery, etc, etc, etc.

- YOUR insurance doesn't cover that stuff, unless its egregious . . . and then, you insurance may not cover it after all, because it was purposeful destruction of property.

Ten bucks? Just be glad they let you have the car . . . punk.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(fshagan @ Jan 20 2007, 11:05 PM) [snapback]378586[/snapback]</div>

I see. I interviewed w/some companies (one of which I still work for) when I was <25 and they got me and all their <25 candidates rental cars w/o problem even though that rental agency ordinarily won't allow anyone <25 to rent at all.

The company is very large and maybe the size along w/amount of business they did that made the difference. On a side note, on one of these interview trips, I heard one of the candidates got into an accident w/the rental. Oops. That's NOT a good way to make an impression.

 

Call it age descrimination but the rental companies have statistics on their side.

Just wait until you're discriminated against for getting that job or that promotion because you're too OLD.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(jmann @ Jan 21 2007, 12:41 PM) [snapback]378689[/snapback]</div>

Just because you have insurance doesn't mean they don't lose money if you wreck. I'm sure it's more than inconvenient and statistically, you and your sub 26 y/o brethren wreck more than the rest of us. If you do wreck, I'm sure that your insurance company will do what it can to delay payment which of course costs the company's bottom line.

They could hypothetically just spread the insurance cost equally amongst all drivers, but just like regular insurance that's unfair to the statistically age safe drivers and probably will chase away valuable business as probably the bulk of their business is the above 25 y/o group.

Just be glad you can rent a car. If you don't like it, you can always start your own car rental company and rent at the same rate for all comers.

 

Lets put it this way... If they can justify charging you more (which, given the industry, they can), why shouldn't they? they're out to make a profit, plain and simple. For young people especially, they know that if you're traveling odds are you'll have a friend pick you up and drive you around... but if you don't know anyone in the city, you're stuck having to rent from them, regardless of the cost.

And like others have said, they have statistics on their side. Insurance companies charge more for the "at risk" population - whether it be personal history, youth, or the fact that you own a red sports car. And as stated above, younger drivers tend to be more aggressive - indicating a greater wear on the vehicle.

Finally, on a recent trip to New Mexico with a bunch of college friends, we rented an SUV (since we were renting mountain bikes and driving to a campsite about 2 hours away and the local friends cars couldn't handle it) and several times during the trip you heard someone say "do whatever you want, it's a rental" or something else more colorful to that effect. (and yet in the end we all pitched in and spent some time cleaning out the inside...)

So yes, younger drivers do tend to cost them more. Is it unfair that everyone gets penalized because there are a few irresponsible people out there? probably... but it all comes down to the fact that they are doing business to make money - if they can charge more, why shouldn't they?

 

I remember going through that crap not too long ago. Yes, it's stupid, yes, it's unfair, but unfortunately, that's the way it is for now. You could try to push them to change the policy (they probably won't simply make the rate equal for everyone), but it could go to something worse, where you have to go through a full insurance/credit/DMV check before you can rent a car.

As to the attitude that you can do what you want to it, since it's a rental. I've never had that attitude, and think it's very wrong. I was raised to always have respect for other people's property. So to me, it's a rental, I have to treat it better than I treat my own car.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(jtullos @ Jan 22 2007, 11:22 AM) [snapback]378979[/snapback]</div>

With people like you maybe there is still some hope for this country. When I took a 2004 Prius for a test drive the salesman seemed a bit surprised how I handled the car. He seemed to be expecting some sort of harsh treatment. Perhaps abuse of others' property is not confined to the young as I am not exactly a teenager.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Sufferin' Prius Envy @ Jan 21 2007, 02:08 AM) [snapback]378587[/snapback]</div>

Word.