Hawaii Car Rental Tips

6.) As far as insurance goes, expect to hear the sales pitch telling you it's needed. We can almost hear the statistics now on Hawai'i roads and accident costs. Don't let the rental folks talk you into anything you don't need. Consider the following: The rental insurance they want to sell you is temporary insurance, but the fact is, you might very well already have it. Check with your insurance agent for your personal vehicles to see if you're covered. If you do already have rental insurance, you can save a bundle by avoiding this cost. Second, check with the credit card company you make the purchase with, as they may also provide you protection as a cardholder. Just be sure to clarify with your credit card company what they cover and what the limits are. We should also refer back to Tip #1 here. If you do off-road, any insurance you do have (regardless of who it's with) is void - even your own insurance will only cover you for what's legal by the rental agreement.

7.) Speaking of credit cards, expect to pay with one. Some companies may accept checks, but they definitely won't accept cash. Also, don't just assume if you book ahead of time that you've paid all the fees associated with the rental. Occasionally additional fees will be charged at the time of the rental, one of which we detail next.

8.) The "under age" curse of renting in Hawai'i. This is one of the biggest and most despised surprises to all renters under the age of 25. Welcome honeymooner's! Yeah right!. In Hawai'i you are obligated by law to pay an "underage" fee for the 'risk' the rental companies must take to insure you to drive on the island. This fee can be as much as $25-$75 a day or more and quickly adds up. Also as far as we know, if you're under 21, you can't even rent a vehicle on Hawai'i.

9.) If your car breaks down while on Hawai'i be sure to call the 800 number provided with your rental package. If you fail to call them first in the event of an emergency, your expenses may not be covered. After you call them, call your own insurance to see if they'll cover any costs the rental agency won't (like a blown tire, etc).

10.) If you arrive and are told the model you reserved is not available, or isn't what you were looking for, you'll have the opportunity to "upgrade/downgrade" accordingly. This could be a bait and switch tactic, or they may just be overstocked on larger models, so be careful. If you're good at negotiating you might be able to get a larger vehicle at a really good rate, so don't feel shy about pressing them for the better vehicle at the same rate you already paid. After all, it's their fault for not having your model. Usually you'll be given the upgrade at the same rate, but if not, definitely argue it. If all else fails, cancel your rental with them and go to a competitor. If they actually let you walk away from the desk empty-handed you're probably better at another company anyway.

11.) Be prepared to wait once you arrive (up to two hours), the lines at most rental counters can be long and require patience. Some folks like to use the split-up tactic of having one individual head for the rental counter as soon as they get off the plane while the other waits for the luggage. This used to work fairly well, but since more and more folks are doing it - it's 50/50 now. Plus, if you land right after another large flight, you can count on waiting even longer. But relax, you're in Hawai'i now!

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Author: J.C.Derrick

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