TripAdvisor

[freespirit]

quote:

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Originally posted by PaulW

Exactly!

Don't bother saying that on TripAdvisor, you'll be banned for "promoting illegal activities".

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Well that is correct on that part.. BUT they do go into extremes on pointing that factor out. Why even say anything about it.. its the rental cars renters responsibiltiy to look at their rental contract. NOT for DE to point it out or even bring up the issue.

[Rourk]

Thanks for the advice Paul. There is plenty for me to do when I get back that I can wait.

[PaulW]

There's nothing illegal about saying that you see people driving on dirt roads all the time.
It's also not illegal to ignore your rental contract. It's not sensible, but not illegal.

[Justin]

The last time I was a tourist here (whilst house shopping in 2010), I drove all over dirt roads in Hawaiian Acres, the car had mud all over its sides and roof. But thankfully, no damage, just a lot of dirt.

[VancouverIslander]

Last time I rented a car they told me about the no dirt roads, and followed it up with "but of course there is no gps in the car". The real key is not to break down out in the boonies - can be expensive and the rental car agency will likely bleed you dry if they can.

[dmbwest]

Did you hear from Kathy Tom ?

aloha,
pog

[TomK]

Yes, Pog, I did get a reply. It was quite unsatisfactory in my opinion, but there you go. She said she might post something here soon, but I suspect that isn't likely. Hopefully I'll be proved wrong.

Will get back to the Mauna Kea stuff but am dealing with a work-related crisis this evening.

[dmbwest]

Mahalo Tom,

Kathy, you are very well spoken and I hope to see a response from you directly right here in lieu of Tom being your 'messenger'.

aloha,
pog

[freespirit]

quote:

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Originally posted by PaulW

There's nothing illegal about saying that you see people driving on dirt roads all the time.
It's also not illegal to ignore your rental contract. It's not sensible, but not illegal.

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They mainly SheaG claims that it is illegal for the following reason:

Driving on unpaved roads voids the insurance that the rental carrier covers on the vehicle. Driving without insurance is the part that is illegal. *but read my last paragraph on this regarding this*

BUT depending on what type of insurance you have on your personal vehicle should extend over to your rental vehicle. SheaG argues with people who try and point that out to her as supposedly she is in some type of legal field. She says no it WILL NOT carry over absolutely not.

If you read Sheldon Nalos response to rental cars and insurance carrying over to unpaved roads from this link.

http://photo.net/nature-photography-foru...1?start=10 scroll down to bottom.

He claims to be in the insurance field and he says yes. Here is a copy and paste of what he says:
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"As someone in the business (Insurance) I'll speak to this issue. In general, the rental car company's insurance coverage (CDW or LDW) are restricted so that they wouldn't cover the car if you took it off roads. They're also overpriced, and generally not necessary to purchase.

Secondly, virtually all rental agreements include language that states that *YOU* assume responsibility for *ALL* damage, regardless of the cause. This means even if you get T-boned by a drunk driver, you still techincally owe for the damage to the rental car.

Because of the above, virtually *ALL* insurance policies that have collision coverage extend your coverage to other vehicles that you drive (subject to a few restrictions such as not being owned by a resident of your house or not being available for your regular use). What this effectively means is that if you have collision coverage for your car at home with a $500 deductible, that will cover you in a rental car, whether you take it on a gravel road, a 4WD road, or get drunk and try to drive into your hotel room (as long as it's not intentional damage).

Moral of the story is, you should be fine. However, since I am in the insurance industry, I must state: "Please consult your policy for details. Terms and conditions may apply. This is not legal or professional advice and should not be relied upon in the slightest. Forget I ever said anything. This conversation never happened."
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Also this Insurance & Risk Advisor also states about the same:

http://www.dewittstern.com/docs/dsbgbus_car_rental.pdf

Scroll down to page 11.

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I have emailed my insurance carrier and asked if our policy would extend to unpaved roads. Also asked about what part of the rental insurance is voided when traveling on unpaved roads. Is it ALL of it or just the collision part. I am awaiting there response.

Also just thought of something - in order to get Vehicles registered each year you have to provide proof of insurance and that the vehicle will have insurance on it at all times. This holds true even for rental car carriers. I doubt highly if someone takes it on a unpaved road that the liabilty part of the insurance gets voided as that would be illegal even for rental car carriers to have that part lapse on their vehicles for any reason. So more then likely it is the collision part that is voided. Which if that is the case then SheaG claim "illegal because no insurance" WOULD NOT HOLD up as you do not have to have full coverage on a vehicle but you do have to have the the minimum liabilty on at all times. I do not think even rental car companies can remove that part for any reason.

[Rob Tucker]

Just as a point of discussion... I think there is a distinct difference in use of the terms "dirt road or gravel road" and "off road".

"Off road" seems to mean no road.