Renting a car in the USA: what to know before your road trip
By Simon Abplanalp ·
Licence, insurance, credit card: the key points for renting a car in the US when travelling from Switzerland.
California by car or the national parks of the Southwest: a classic. With a little preparation, pick-up at the counter goes smoothly.
Driving licence
A Swiss licence is accepted in most states. An international driving permit costs little and avoids discussions at a traffic stop.
Insurance
Minimum liability cover is low in many states. Add supplemental liability (SLI) and a zero-excess damage waiver. It costs a bit more but matters if something happens.
The small print
- Credit card in the main driver’s name, not a debit card.
- Drivers under 25 usually pay a surcharge.
- One-way rentals can come with high drop-off fees.
