Systemwide Car Rental Program

The University of California (UC) Central Travel Office has a systemwide car rental program with Enterprise, Hertz, National, Dollar and Thrifty that offers business travelers the most economical pricing, including comprehensive insurance coverage for rentals within the United States (does NOT apply to personal rentals). 
  
Coverage can prove expensive if liability insurance (Loss Damage Waiver (LDW)) is added to business rentals and reimbursement is approved when the trip is over. The University may be paying extra for something that should not have been charged. When picking up a car, travelers should look for the following two items on the contract before driving off the lot: 

  1. UC’s Campus Corporate Discount Program (CDP). If there is no campus designation printed on the contract, you may be paying a higher rate and will be responsible for any damage claims made by the rental company and/or a third party; 

  1. Optional Services/Coverage (LDW/CDW/CSL/SLI) should show as DECLINED. Any purchase of additional insurance for rentals within the United States is not a reimbursable expense. 

Travelers renting internationally should contact their campus risk manager for advice and recommendations as each country has different laws and coverage requirements. 
  
Payment Holds 
Hertz recently updated their policy for authorization holds, outside the cost of the rental. For those using Visa credit cards, there will be a $200 hold, while the debit card hold has increased to $500. For National/Enterprise renters, the authorization hold is $300 on any form of payment. 
  
Car Rental Webinar 

The Central Travel office will hold a Car Rental webinar session on May 24 and encourage you to join us where these topics and others will be covered. You can also register for all other upcoming webinars, including a new one on Managing Airfare (from booking to credits). Register here