FAQ

Pick up your vehicle between 8 AM and 1 PM. To return, simply leave the keys with our trusted valet partner at our garage any time until 11 PM. We’ll check your vehicle in and email your final receipt the following morning.

Obtain the best rate by reserving your car rental online.

You must have a valid driver’s license and credit card (NO DEBIT OR CHECK CARDS) present, in your name, at the time of rental. We will hold a deposit of up to $500 on top of the estimated rental cost. If you decline our insurance options, proof of insurance is required before we can release the vehicle.

A valid driver’s license, matching the credit card holder’s name, must be presented at the time of rental. If the license does not have English verbiage, an international license will be required.

Visa, Mastercard, and American Express credit cards issued worldwide are acceptable forms of deposit. Debit cards are not accepted as a form of deposit. The credit card must be in the name of the main renter and present at the time of rental.

Currently all cars must be kept within California state lines. Exceptions include Reno, Lake Tahoe and Las Vegas Nevada with notification at time of rental.

Reservations may be cancelled at anytime without incurring fees. We appreciate as much notice as possible, so that we may offer it to another inquiring customer. Please be aware that we will hold your reserved vehicle for 30 minutes past your reservation time. After 30 minutes, we reserve the right to consider you a “no show” and  cancel your reservation without notice.

We will do our very best to provide you with the vehicle of your choice. We have no control over vehicles being returned on time or if the vehicles are returned with physical or mechanical damage, therefore we can never 100% guarantee vehicle makes or colors.

You must be at least 21 years old to rent a compact or economy car from City Rent a Car and must be over 25 to rent all other classes and models. Drivers between 21 and 24 will incur a $25.00/daily underage fee. No one under the age of 21 may be listed as a driver regardless if they are a primary or secondary driver.

Not necessarily. Most travel or “worldwide” insurance plans only cover medical or trip-related issues — not automobile liability in the United States. To rent a vehicle, your insurance must specifically state:

1. “Automobile” or “Rental Car Liability” coverage

2. Valid in the United States

3. At least $75,000 in total liability coverage (California’s legal minimum) — we recommend $300,000 or higher for adequate protection (or “Worldwide including U.S.”)

If your policy doesn’t clearly list this, we can provide coverage at the counter:

• RLI Liability Coverage – Meets the California minimum liability requirement ($75,000 total).
• SLI (Supplemental Liability Insurance) – Increases your liability protection up to $300,000 combined.

This ensures you are fully protected and legally compliant while driving in the U.S.

If you do not have your own insurance/coverage, you can purchase ours. At the time of rental, you will have the option to accept or decline our Renters Liability Insurance (RLI), Supplemental Liability Insurance (SLI), Collision Damage Waiver (CDW), and Personal Accident Insurance (PAI). Brochures are available at the counter at the time of rental.

By purchasing CDW, if there is any damage to the rental vehicle resulting from a collision, you pay nothing. This covers collision damage to the rental vehicle caused by the renter or 3rd party. If you do not purchase the CDW, renter is responsible in paying for any damage to the rental car upon return. This does not cover damage to the rental vehicle resulting from any modifications to the rental vehicle such as from snow chains. See rental agent at counter for additional details.

Meets state minimum liability insurance requirements for damages to a 3rd party up to $75,000. Renters have the option of declining this minimum insurance with proof of valid personal liability insurance. See rental agent at counter for details and coverage limits.

Supplemental Liability Insurance covers 3rd party damages in excess of $75,000 and up to $300,000. See rental agent at counter for details and limitations.

Personal Accident Insurance provides medical coverage for passengers inside the rental vehicle. See rental agent at counter for details and limitations.

Yes, unless you have proof of your own personal liability insurance that covers car rentals in California. When driving the car rental you must have vehicle insurance that covers at least the minimum liability requirements for the state of California. If you intend to use your own insurance, please verify with your insurance policy company that driving car rentals in California are covered under your policy. Proof of insurance is required when you pick up your vehicle in order to decline our coverage. City Rent-A-Car cannot release a vehicle without verified liability coverage, regardless of prior rental history.

Please verify with your credit card company regarding coverage prior to arriving. Be aware that most credit cards offer coverage for damage to the rental car only (CDW), and do not cover liability insurance (RLI/SLI), which is required in the state of California. Proof of liability and limits may be required at the time of rental.

Rental charges are incurred per 24 hour rental periods. The vehicle must be picked up and returned at the same time of day to stay within a 24 hour period. Hourly fees, which may be prorated, may be incurred if returned past the 24 hour period. Additional fees, such as insurance or underage fees cannot be prorated and will be charged at an additional day’s rate.

Some vehicles may come with mileage charges of .50 per mile for miles driven over 150/day. This information will be reflected at the time of reservation.

Additional drivers are subject to the same qualifications as the primary driver. There is a $9.95 additional charge for additional drivers and all drivers must be present at the time of rental to sign the contract and provide his/her valid license and major credit card in his/her own name for verification.

We offer free after-hours returns in our downtown Union Square location until 11:00 PM. We work with a 3rd party valet company that collects our vehicles after our office is closed. Please note, vehicles returned after-hours will be checked-in by our staff the following business day and receipts will be emailed to the address on file.

Cars are available to be picked up during our regular business hours: 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM 7 days a week, excluding major holidays.

We are currently not able to accommodate returns to the Oakland or San Francisco airport. We recommend either taking an Uber/Taxi or BART from our downtown location to the respective airports. Please ask our rental agent for details.

Child safety seats are $8.95 per day. Please ask about child seat availability at the time of reservation – we will supply one for you, however you must install the equipment yourself.

Weekends usually sell out so make your reservation a few days ahead if possible.

We are happy to provide maps, ideas and great destinations to travel to. Our cars cannot go out of the state of California, except for Reno, and Las Vegas, Nevada. This exception must be stated at the time of rental and noted on the contract addendum.

Long term and insurance rates are available. Direct billing can often be arranged. Please inquire.

We offer portable GPS Navigation devices for $15.00 day. Please inquire at the rental counter.

We are closed Independence Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Years Day.