Car Rentals - Geographic Restrictions?

[spankyj]

So how easy is it to get around this?

I'm looking at renting a car in Vegas, but the unlimited mileage only holds true for Nevada.

Now if I drive to the Grand Canyon and Los Angeles, how would they know?

 

[Mutilator]

GPS tracking systems.

 

[kranky]

If you drive out of state and get into an accident, or the car is vandalized or stolen, they might void any insurance you had because you violated your rental agreement. That's taking a very big chance. Remember if you have an accident with a rental car, not only can you be on the hook for repairs, but they want reimbursed for the loss of income while the car is being repaired.

 

[spankyj]

Well, if I rent with my Mastercard - I should automatically be covered for insurance.

http://www.mastercard.com/cardholderservices/guidetobenefits/masterrental_insurance.html

It's says nothing of violating geographic restrictions.....

I highly doubt they use GPS. Am I wrong? (Edit - I am) From a competitor's website.

Unlimited Mileage
UNLIMITED MILEAGE APPLIES WITHIN THE FOLLOWING STATES: CALIFORNIA, UTAH, ARIZONA, AND NEVADA. VEHICLES MAY NOT BE DRIVEN OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES. RENTER SHALL BE ENTITLED TO THE TIME AND MILEAGE RENTAL CHARGE AS STATED FOR THIS VEHICLE PLUS OTHER APPLICABLE CHARGES AS LONG AS THE VEHICLE IS NOT DRIVEN OUTSIDE OF THE AUTHORIZED AREA WITHOUT PRIOR WRITTEN APPROVAL. IF THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN OUTSIDE THE AUTHORIZED AREA WITHOUT PRIOR WRITTEN APPROVAL, THE TIME AND MILEAGE RENTAL CHARGE AS STATED WILL BE REVOKED AND FIFTY CENTS ($.50) PER MILE FOR EVERY MILE THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN WILL BE CHARGED FROM THE BEGINNING OF THE RENTAL INCLUDING ANY MILES DRIVEN WITHIN THE AUTHORIZED STATES.
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Global Postioning System
THE RENTAL VEHICLE MAY BE EQUIPPED WITH A GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM WHICH MONITORS THE LOCATION OF THE VEHICLE AND NOTIFIES BUDGET IF THE VEHICLE IS TAKEN OUTSIDE THE AUTHORIZED AREA. THE GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM MAY BE USED TO ASSIST IN LOCATING AND RECOVERING THE VEHICLE AND FUTHER TO MONITOR THE VEHICLE TO DETERMINE IF IS BEING OPERATED AT AN EXCESSIVE SPEED.

 

[EagleKeeper]

The Grand Canyon should not be considered out of state. Part of it is in Nevada, just not the easy accessible part.
Best thing is to check with the rental company before hand and let them know of your plans.

 

[kranky]

Read that MasterCard insurance thing carefully. You'll find it says the MC insurance is "secondary" - which means YOUR insurance pays first, and MC covers whatever is left.