Kaua'i - Hawaii - page 1164

» Gas prices in Hawaii currently average $4.40 per US gallon. As a rule of thumb, expect
to pay 60¢ more per gallon than on the US mainland.
Insurance
» Required by law, liability insurance covers any people or property that you might hit. For
damage to the rental vehicle, a collision damage waiver (CDW) costs an extra $15 to $20
a day.
» If you decline CDW, you will be held liable for any damages up to the full value of the
car.
» Even with CDW, you may be required to pay the first $100 to $500 for repairs; some
agencies will also charge you for the rental cost of the car during the time it takes to be re-
paired.
» If you have collision coverage on your vehicle at home, it might cover damages to car
rentals; ask your insurance agent before your trip.
» Some credit cards offer reimbursement coverage for collision damages if you rent the
car with that credit card; check beforehand.
» Most credit-card coverage isn't valid for rentals over 15 days or for 'exotic' models (eg
convertibles, 4WD Jeeps).
Rental
AGENCIES
» Most rental companies require that you be at least 25 years old, possess a valid driver's
license and have a major credit card, not a debit or check card.
» A few major companies will rent to drivers between the ages of 21 and 24, typically for
an underage surcharge of around $25 per day; call ahead to check.
» Without a credit card, many agencies simply won't rent you a vehicle, while others re-
quire prepayment by cash, traveler's checks or debit card with an additional refundable
deposit of $500 per week, proof of return airfare and more.
» When picking up your vehicle, most agencies will request the name and phone number
of the place where you're staying. Some agencies are reluctant to rent to visitors who list
a campground as their address; a few specifically add 'No Camping Permitted' to rental
contracts.
Most islands also have one or two independent car-rental agencies, and these are worth
checking out - on Maui and Kauaʻi, they're the only way to rent a biofuel or electric car,
and on the Big Island, it's the only way to rent a 4WD that's allowed to drive to Mauna
Kea's summit. Independent agencies are also more likely to rent to drivers under 25 and