Something interesting about car rentals

[clawhammer]

I was having a conversation with someone about car rentals, and whether or not 18 year olds can rent cars or not. I was pretty sure that I could (just turned 18), so I decided to look it up. Only in New York and Michigan are 18-25 year olds allowed to rent cars, but even then, they're charged like an extra $40/day for liablity issues. It's funny that in other states they won't let you rent a Geo Metro, but you can go to U-Haul, and rent a big truck, you only have to be 18 to do so. It's mind-boggling.

[Heep]

Haha yeah. It's so annoying - I'm 20, I've been driving for 4 years, I've been living on my own since I was 17, and I don't hoon around in my cars - no matter, I can't rent a damn car when I go on a trip.

I should sue for age discrimination or something, haha

[clawhammer]

Originally Posted by Heep

I should sue for age discrimination or something, haha

That's what happened in New York and Michigan. Someone sued the rental company for age discrimation and because of that they are now allowing 18-25 year olds to rent cars.

[knorwj]

any idea when this came into effect because i live in new york and the last time I checked you still had to be 25

[clawhammer]

Here's what I found

For ages 18-24 - In 1997, the New York Court of Appeals ruled that car rental companies cannot refuse to rent to persons 18 years of age or older in the State of New York solely on the basis of age, provided that insurance coverage for persons of such age is available. The Court found that insurance had become "available" through the New York Automobile Insurance Plan (i.e., the "Assigned Risk" Plan.) At corporate locations in the State of New York, Hertz now makes available to the 18-24 age group, a number of specific vehicles for which insurance has been purchased. The rental charges for these vehicles will include a New York Underage Insurance Differential charge (currently USD 51.00 per day) that will automatically be added to the base rental rate at time of reservation.

[SS124A]

Funny how I rented a car when I was 21 when my car was being fixed. They just said they wouldn't insure me and my insurance had to cover anything that happened. It was in Illinois.

[knorwj]

Originally Posted by clawhammer

Here's what I found

hmmm interesting... know if that could have been overturned or something? because I tried everyplace in town around 2002 to get a rental car and i was declined because I was not 25. I also know friends who have had to get parents/ friends etc to rent for them becuase they were not 25.

I guess alot of people don't know about it sooo the rental companies still try not to rent to them... I dunno just a thought.

[Muscletang]

That's about the dumbest thing I've heard in my life.
When I turn 21 I can: drink, smoke, gamble, and buy any firearm I see fit. I can't rent a car though!?! The whole thing doesn't make any sense.

[Amish_kid]

Most places here you can't rent until your 25, I found one place locally that will rent anyone 21 or older and I can't wait til I turn 21 gonna rent something and do something rallying...that'll teach them to rent to anyone until 25

[taranaki]

Originally Posted by Amish_kid

Most places here you can't rent until your 25, I found one place locally that will rent anyone 21 or older and I can't wait til I turn 21 gonna rent something and do something rallying...that'll teach them to rent to anyone until 25

Which is why most places don't rent to high-risk demographics.

[Jm93]

"Most places here you can't rent until your 25, I found one place locally that will rent anyone 21 or older and I can't wait til I turn 21 gonna rent something and do something rallying...that'll teach them to rent to anyone until 25"

Quote feature was not working for me.

You my friend are a huge idiot. do you not understand how this is dumb. there is one company that rents to people below 21, all the rest you have to be 25. you are going to rent from the 1 company that allows you to, and trash a veichle. YOU are the reason these companys dont rent to idiots. i wouldnt be suprized if that one company jacks it up to 25 after you pulled something dumb like that.

[clawhammer]

Originally Posted by Amish_kid

Most places here you can't rent until your 25, I found one place locally that will rent anyone 21 or older and I can't wait til I turn 21 gonna rent something and do something rallying...that'll teach them to rent to anyone until 25

Yeah, I agree with the other two posts. There are people between 18 and 25 that want to rent cars for legitimate reasons, not like you. Rental cars are not to act like an idiot in, go buy a car from the junkyard, go out to the middle of nowhere and trash it, but not a rental car.

[SS124A]

also now that i think about it, I had a friend that was like 21 or 22 a few years ago who rented a car in Indiana also

[Heep]

I think he was being sarcastic folks. Good ole' Maritime humour.

[indyram]

I also find it funny how a car dealer will sell you a car as well as a warranty which includes a rental/courtesy car if you need to get yours fixed. But you can't have one unless you are 25, WTF.