Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
In both organizations, the central member benefit is 24-hour emergency roadside assist-
ance anywhere in the USA. Both clubs also offer trip planning and free maps, travel-agency
services, car insurance and a range of discounts (car rentals, hotels etc).
Driver's License
Foreign visitors can legally drive in the USA for up to 12 months with their home driver's li-
cense. However, getting an International Driving Permit (IDP) is recommended; this will
have more credibility with US traffic police, especially if your home license doesn't have a
photo or is in a foreign language. Your automobile association at home can issue an IDP,
valid for one year, for a small fee. You must carry your home license together with the IDP
at all times. To drive a motorcycle, you need either a valid US state motorcycle license or
an IDP specially endorsed for motorcycles.
Insurance
Don't put the key into the ignition if you don't have insurance: it's legally required, and you
risk financial ruin without it if there's an accident. If you already have auto insurance (even
overseas), or if you buy travel insurance, make sure that the policy has adequate liability
coverage for a rental car in Florida; it probably does, but check.
Rental-car companies will provide liability insurance, but most charge extra for the priv-
ilege. Always ask. Collision-damage insurance for the vehicle is almost never included in
the US. Instead, the provider will offer an optional Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) or Loss
Damage Waiver (LDW), usually with an initial deductible of $100 to $500. For an extra
premium, you can usually get this deductible covered as well. However, most credit cards
now offer collision-damage coverage for rental cars if you rent for 15 days or less and
charge the total rental to your card. This is a good way to avoid paying extra fees to the
rental company, but note that if there's an accident, you sometimes must pay the rental car
company first and then seek reimbursement from the credit-card company. Check your
credit-card policy. Paying extra for some or all of this insurance increases the cost of a rent-
al car by as much as $10 to $30 a day.
Travel insurance, either specific paid policies or free insurance provided by your credit-
card company (when your travel arrangements are purchased on their credit cards), often
includes cover for rental-car insurances up to the full amount of any deductible. If you plan
on renting a vehicle for any significant period of time, the cost of travel insurance, which in-
cludes coverage for rental vehicles, is often way cheaper than purchasing the optional in-
surance from the car-rental company directly. Be prudent and do your research to avoid
getting a shock when you go to sign your car-rental contract and discover all the additional
charges.
