Rental Car Contract Cautions

Have you felt pressured when renting a car to purchase the Collision Damage Waiver? Most rental car contracts include provisions that will invalidate the Collision Damage Waiver (for which you pay a hefty fee) for any of the following reasons:

• if you leave the keys in the car
• if you drive on dirt roads
• if you let anyone other than drivers listed on the contract drive the vehicle (Note: this includes valets!)
• if you drive under the influence of intoxicants

Remember that Collision Damage Waivers are not insurance and therefore are not regulated by insurance departments. You are at the mercy of the rental car companies so be sure to read the contract carefully.