Why does it cost loads more to hire a car in America if you are not an American resident ?

Question

Thanks for the sensible and polite answers, I'd assumed it was risk related. As for the oafs who presume that they understand English more than an Englishman - your stupidity and ignorance of your language is reason enough for the world's antipathy towards America.

Answer 1

You didn't learn to drive on American roads with American rules. There is a belief that you will not know the laws and driver expectations well enough and will be more likely to wreck or be pulled over by the police.

Answer 2

Here's what will cost you loads - being under 25 or over 70 years old; having only cash or a debit card (not a real credit card); just walking up to the counter and asking what they have available?

Here's how to pay about the same as a US resident (I am one):
- make an advance reservation by phone or over the internet at least a week in advance;
- unless you plan to carry three adults in the back seat, reserve an economy car (they probably won't have one so you'll get a free upgrade);
- check at least three big-name car rental companies for their "internet specials";
- pay with a gold or platinum credit card or American Express and decline the rental company's LDW/CDW (loss/collision damage waiver, which is covered by many such credit cards at no cost to you);
- refuse their fuel option and take the car back with the tank full;
- refuse their luggage/vehicle contents insurance, which is largely bogus and is usually covered by your other travel insurance anyway;
- keep your driving license clean, because they jack up their rates if you have a bad driving record (yes, they can find that out while you are right there at the counter).

Answer 3

because if you are not a resident of the US then you can hire the car, ruin it and run home and the rental company is out the money for the car. Oh they can sue you for the money, but there is no one to enforce the judgment, so they may win in court, but they still don't get the money to replace or repair the car. Sorry but you get to pay for the recklessness of other foreign visitors to the US that were less than responsible.

Answer 4

Because you are considered "at risk" do to a lack of residency. Think about it. If you owned a car, would you rent it to someone from another country that you did not know?

Answer 5

You don't have proper identification. A DMV issued ID, is the official form of identification in this country. It is considered to be beyond compromise.
Any other forms of identification are unverifiable and suspect. The risk of loss is higher.

Answer 6

For the same reason that it costs American's more when they go other places. Local business everywhere know they can take advantage of tourists.

Answer 7

Insurance - there is the belief that you are not going to know how to drive in America and you will crash the car.

Answer 8

the term is "rent" a car, but I assume you havent had a drivers license for very long maybe, and are unfamiliar with the roads possibly

Answer 9

It's the same in all countries, residents get a lower tariff then non residents.

Answer 10

hire a car? GET OUT OF THE COUNTRY IF U ARE ILLEGAL! jesus christ on a stick