# Rental Cars, Insurance, and "Additional Drivers"

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rental-cars-insurance-and-additional-drivers/339070>\
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion\
**Created:** [January 9, 2006, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rental-cars-insurance-and-additional-drivers/339070 "2006-01-09T00:09:45Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\
**Post date:** [January 11, 2006, 6:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rental-cars-insurance-and-additional-drivers/339070/21 "2006-01-11T06:22:04Z")

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> [@JohnT](#):
>
> If the extra driver is a spouse, then there’s no need to put two names on the rental agreement.

It depends on the rental car company.

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**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\
**Post date:** [January 11, 2006, 6:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rental-cars-insurance-and-additional-drivers/339070/22 "2006-01-11T06:25:14Z")

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> [@PunditLisa](#):
>
> We will all be together. The renter (me) will be present at all times.
> 
> Ah, to be stranded in Maui without a rental car…
> 
> If rental companies really didn’t want unauthorized drivers, they would make the additional driver fee more reasonable, IMO.

The additional driver fee isn’t meant to be reasonable. I think it is a disgusting way to make extra money. However, unless it is a bona fide emergency, It isn’t a chance I’d take.

Then again, I’ve seen too many messy situations from my 2 years working rental car customer service issues. Many of the rental car companies are hurting financially and they’re hungry for every nickle they can get.

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