California's rental car laws and fees are important to know. You should also be familiar with the requirements and taxes for renting a vehicle. This will allow you to find the car that suits your needs. Also, remember that California requires all drivers to have insurance. In case you don't have insurance, you can purchase a plan at the time of rental.
Taxes
California's cost to rent a car is affected by several factors, including the state sales tax as well as the assessment by the tourism commissioner. California rental car tax rates depend on the rental company you choose. There may be an additional charge for renting a car at an airport kiosk. Additional charges may also apply for rentals off-site. Rental companies may charge extra fees if the car has to be returned after a set period of time, such 24 hours.
Fees
Renters must pay a maximum of $21 per day to get the damage waiver. This can be increased if an unauthorized driver is located. This fee was between $11 and $17 per day previously, but it can now be as high at $25. The inflation will mean that the cap on this fee increases. Additional drivers may be charged an additional fee that varies from one state to the next, usually between $13 and $15 per hour. California car rental companies may not charge this fee.
Insurance
California renters have several insurance options. Some policies will cover total damage, theft and environmental damage. Others only cover accidents. If you don’t have any insurance, you can use loss damage waivers to save the cost of renting a vehicle. The only difference is that you won't have to pay a deductible. It all depends on what you need.
Age requirements
California has some of the most restrictive age requirements for renting a rental car. If you are looking to take a road trip and are planning to rent a car in California, this state is a great starting point. If you are under the age of 18, you might be subject to a surcharge. You may be required to pay $25 per day to rent a car.
California: Where to rent car
Renting a car is a good option if you're going on a California roadtrip. California's vast terrain means that you need a car with sufficient fuel efficiency. For short trips in the city, compact cars will be fine, but if you want to travel long distances in the state, you should consider an SUV or van. If you don't intend to do much off-roading, you can rent an economy car in California.