Car hire in Canada

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onway

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Hoping to hire a car in Nova scitia fir a few days....

1. Do I need any special permit?

2. What is the story with Insurance in other countries??

3. Any advice on what company to use??
 
It's been a few years since we were in BC, but I can't imagine it's changed:
1. No. You need to have a full license that has been valid for at least two years. (Make sure you bring it with you).
2. You buy insurance as part of the rental (as you do here).
3. We used Hertz and it was fine. I would neither diss nor recommend them - I imagine they are all the same! (I will be correctly by a storm of protest, I'm sure).

BTW, when we were there (2001), a compact car was a big whale of a Chevy Sabre.
Also, have a look at the rules of the road before you go, as there are some funny Canadian localisms, e.g. turn right on red light if no pedestrians are crossing. The mounties are reputed to be very strict on speeding/bad driving.
 
Contact rent-a-wreck, they're reasonable and I'm certain they're still in Halifax.

Just have an international licence as well as your personal one.
 
Just wanted to add that you should be aware of your mileage. Most places allow for about 100km a day, I think, but if you're doing a lot of driving, look for an unlimited mileage package. I think Avis do them. I rented with Hertz last time with no trouble.
 
Alias said:
Just wanted to add that you should be aware of your mileage. Most places allow for about 100km a day, I think, but if you're doing a lot of driving, look for an unlimited mileage package. I think Avis do them. I rented with Hertz last time with no trouble.
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Alamo used to do unlimited miles.
For any sort of driving around the western provinces, get unlimited miles/Kms otherwise the extra kms over the 100 km a day really racks up the price. Also check the engine size/car size before you confirm, you might be getting a huge 3.5 litre beast and they usually handle like a barge as well.
Also be careful about stating you are going on gravel roads, they will not hire as insurance will not cover it.
If you are going off road then hire 4x4 or truck.
You can take car into US (just confirm with them re insurance) but you can not drop off there.
Mounties are also very strict on going through an amber light, it means slow down and stop not like here where it means speed up and get through lights.
Also they have the old speedtraps as well and not just near towns. Came across one that was 1 hour drive from a town.
Actually told they do not like being called mounties rather the RCMP.
 
I have used ACE in Canada in the past; they are generally less expensive than the main renters; never had any issues with them.

www.acerentacar.com

One must is the Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) or Loss Damage Waiver (LDW). Both are the same thing; name varies from location to location. This is your optional insurance; if you don't have it and crash, you are responsible for paying for any repairs. It is quite expensive but you would be mad not to have it.
 
almo said:
Contact rent-a-wreck, they're reasonable and I'm certain they're still in Halifax.
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Avoid!!!! You really get what it says on the tin.

For example, a mate of mine hired a car from these guys about 5 years ago in Kingston, Ontario and he left it to go into a shop; handbrake failed and it rolled of down a hill. Didn't cause any damage but you can see the types of problems you may get.
 
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