If you are under the age of 25 and need to rent a car, you may be shocked to learn that rates may be a bit more expensive for you. This is because younger drivers are often charged extra by the rental companies due to lack of driving experience and credit.
Don’t despair!
We have a few tips that can help you navigate the car rental world and find a car that isn’t at a sky-high rate. Before you overpay for a car rental, read this article!
The Under-25 Fee
The Underage Fee or the Under-25 Fee is sometimes assessed on a daily basis. The rental company counts those under 25 as a higher risk than those that are a little bit older. There are studies that back this thought process up. The CDC and others have found conclusive evidence that drivers under the age of 25 take more risks when driving.
Those extra fees can start at $15 per day, but they can reach levels of nearly $60 per day depending on the rental company. Sometimes, the underage fee can be more than the daily rental fee of the car!
Ways To Avoid Paying The Fees
There are a few ways that you can avoid those pesky underage fees, but they involve being a member of another organization.
CAA: Some rental companies will waive the underage fee for those that are CAA or AAA members. Being a member of CAA or AAA comes with plenty of perks. So, it isn’t a bad membership to have. You can get roadside assistance when you need it, and they can get you discounts on vacations.
USAA: For those that are in the military, a USAA membership may be the way to go. There are plenty of car rental companies in Vancouver that works with USAA members so that they can avoid paying for the underage fees. You will need to book your reservation through the USAA website as opposed to the car rental site to qualify.
Other Ways To Avoid Fees
There are a few other ways that you can avoid those under-25 fees such as going through your automobile insurance company or using your corporate perks. If you need a rental car because your regular vehicle has been involved in an accident, it is likely that your car insurance company can arrange for your rental with no underage fees attached.
Another place to check is your corporate benefits and partnerships.
Many companies will partner with various brands to offer employee discounts and coupons. Oftentimes, these steep discounts can offset the underage fees making your rental more affordable.
Make sure to check out the competitive prices at Independent Rent a Car in downtown Vancouver before making your final rental decision. We have amazing rates and plenty of vehicles to choose from.
You can find reliable brands like Ford, Honda, Hyundai, Nissan, and Toyota on our lots, and we accept cash and debit cards. We accept drivers as young as 18, so stop by or give us a call today.
