Browny

Hallo,

I am planning a trip to Australia and New Zeeland. I am aged 20 and I
would like to rent a car. Unfortunately I read that it is not allowed
to rent a car under 21 because of insurances.

Do you know if there is any possibility to rent a car under 21?

David Bennetts

"browny" <> wrote in message
news:...
    > Hallo,
    > I am planning a trip to Australia and New Zeeland. I am aged 20 and I
    > would like to rent a car. Unfortunately I read that it is not allowed
    > to rent a car under 21 because of insurances.
    > Do you know if there is any possibility to rent a car under 21?

I just did a google search for "under 21 car rental" and I think you'll find
it very hard to rent a car at your age - insurance is very expensive until
age 25. The only car rental firms which appear to rent to under 21s are on
the Gold Coast (Queensland).

You may find it easier getting around the major cities by public transport,
and between them there are long distance coach passes and rail passes
available.

A useful place to start planning is www.travelmate.com.au

Regards

David Bennetts

Raffi Balmanoukian

in article yilOb.717$, David Bennetts at
davibenne- wrote on 1/17/04 9:27 PM:

    >
    > "browny" <> wrote in message
    > news:...
    >> Hallo,
    >>
    >> I am planning a trip to Australia and New Zeeland. I am aged 20 and I
    >> would like to rent a car. Unfortunately I read that it is not allowed
    >> to rent a car under 21 because of insurances.
    >>
    >> Do you know if there is any possibility to rent a car under 21?
    >
    > I just did a google search for "under 21 car rental" and I think you'll find
    > it very hard to rent a car at your age - insurance is very expensive until
    > age 25. The only car rental firms which appear to rent to under 21s are on
    > the Gold Coast (Queensland).
    >
    > You may find it easier getting around the major cities by public transport,
    > and between them there are long distance coach passes and rail passes
    > available.
    >
    > A useful place to start planning is www.travelmate.com.au
    >
    > Regards
    >
    > David Bennetts
    >
    >
    >



This is just a guess, but maybe repositioning services might get you a car
or two. Since it's a private person's car - you're just 'moving' it for
them - whether you are covered would depend on what kind of coverage that
owner has. Whether they are prepared to let a 20YO drive their car is
another story 8-(

Paul O

Avoid the Gold Coast companies where you may be able to get a car!!! They're
notorious for ripping of customer's credit cards to cover 'damage'. Hardly a
week goes by without one being cited by the Consumer Affairs Dept.



"browny" <> wrote in message
news:...
    > Hallo,
    > I am planning a trip to Australia and New Zeeland. I am aged 20 and I
    > would like to rent a car. Unfortunately I read that it is not allowed
    > to rent a car under 21 because of insurances.
    > Do you know if there is any possibility to rent a car under 21?

Raffi Balmanoukian

Not just the drive-by-nights!! I got a bill from Hertz for something like
AUD$485 "for damage" to a vehicle, plus an alleged 1/8 of a tank of petrol -
I had credit card insurance coverage, but that wasn't the point (and a
docket for the fuel purchased around two blocks away from the terminal and
ten minutes before turning the car in). After a lot of screeching, they
acknowledged it was their mistake and gave me back the coin (with a
substantial fluctuation in the currency exchange, and which I returned to
the credit card company which had reimbursed me in first instance). I
suspect it was a case of some guy taking it for a spin and then not owning
up to the "damage," but the point is anybody can get a nasty surprise in
this fashion. Take careful notes of any deficiencies (dings, chips) in the
car before you drive away, get a written acknowledgement from the counter
person, and if necessary take photos.



in article 400a056e$0$16594$, Paul O at
wrote on 1/18/04 12:02 AM:

    > Avoid the Gold Coast companies where you may be able to get a car!!! They're
    > notorious for ripping of customer's credit cards to cover 'damage'. Hardly a
    > week goes by without one being cited by the Consumer Affairs Dept.
    >
    >
    >
    > "browny" <> wrote in message
    > news:...
    >> Hallo,
    >>
    >> I am planning a trip to Australia and New Zeeland. I am aged 20 and I
    >> would like to rent a car. Unfortunately I read that it is not allowed
    >> to rent a car under 21 because of insurances.
    >>
    >> Do you know if there is any possibility to rent a car under 21?
    >
    >

4000 Psi

this is why having pics of the vehicle on a digital camera with the rental
company employee doing 2 thumbs up after the final inspection would be wise
... just in case you have to dispute charges that is

"Paul O" <> wrote in message
news:400a056e$0$16594$...
    > Avoid the Gold Coast companies where you may be able to get a car!!!
They're
    > notorious for ripping of customer's credit cards to cover 'damage'. Hardly
a
    > week goes by without one being cited by the Consumer Affairs Dept.
    > "browny" <> wrote in message
    > news:...
    > > Hallo,
    > >
    > > I am planning a trip to Australia and New Zeeland. I am aged 20 and I
    > > would like to rent a car. Unfortunately I read that it is not allowed
    > > to rent a car under 21 because of insurances.
    > >
    > > Do you know if there is any possibility to rent a car under 21?

Raffi Balmanoukian

in article BC2F8626.1F62B%,
Raffi Balmanoukian at wrote
on 1/18/04 12:29 AM:

    > Not just the drive-by-nights!! I got a bill from Hertz for something like
    > AUD$485 "for damage" to a vehicle, plus an alleged 1/8 of a tank of petrol -
    > I had credit card insurance coverage, but that wasn't the point (and a
    > docket for the fuel purchased around two blocks away from the terminal and
    > ten minutes before turning the car in). After a lot of screeching, they
    > acknowledged it was their mistake and gave me back the coin (with a
    > substantial fluctuation in the currency exchange, and which I returned to
    > the credit card company which had reimbursed me in first instance). I
    > suspect it was a case of some guy taking it for a spin and then not owning
    > up to the "damage," but the point is anybody can get a nasty surprise in
    > this fashion. Take careful notes of any deficiencies (dings, chips) in the
    > car before you drive away, get a written acknowledgement from the counter
    > person, and if necessary take photos.
    >
    >

Oh....and get a credit card which covers the insurance excess on the car
(and decline the coverage in the contract).

4000 Psi

you are so young and have all the time in the world ... take a train what do
you need the car for ... BTW ozzie girls are plenty friendly to a young
foreigner even w/o a car

"browny" <> wrote in message
news:...
    > Hallo,
    > I am planning a trip to Australia and New Zeeland. I am aged 20 and I
    > would like to rent a car. Unfortunately I read that it is not allowed
    > to rent a car under 21 because of insurances.
    > Do you know if there is any possibility to rent a car under 21?