The info below is for guidance only, we accept no reponsibility for omissions or errors in this document.
BEFORE YOU Proceed with your travel plans, take a few moments to review these
important safety tips for Florida visitors and please remember - DRIVE ON THE
RIGHT!
o At the airport or while at our rental car Utility, do not leave your bags
or
LUGGAGE unattended. The rental process only requires the renter and
additional drivers (if any) to rent a car, so please assign someone in your
party to
stay with the bags, if applicable.
o Prior to departure, take the time to know the ROUTE to your destination.
Our counter personnel will be happy to supply you with a map of the area.
o Place all VALUABLES in the trunk (boot) or glove compartment and lock
them. Do not leave valuable items in the car visible to individuals passing
by.
o Ask DIRECTIONS only from police or at a well-lit business area or service
station.
If you need to stop for any reason, do it only in well lit or populated areas.
o If your car is malfunctioning, drive to a WELL-LIT area. CALL the Rent A
Car location where you rented the car .
o If you are told by a passing motorist that something is wrong with your vehicle,
DO NOT STOP. Drive to the nearest service station or populated area.
o Keep DOORS AND WINDOWS locked at all times. We recommend that
customers driving convertibles keep the top down only during daylight and only
after arrival at your hotel or final destination.
Do not pull over to assist what may appear to be a DISABLED car, even if
someone tries to wave you down for help.
o If your vehicle is BUMPED from behind, do not stop until reaching a
service station or well-populated area.
o At NIGHT, park your car in a well-lit area, especially at shopping malls.
Check the interior of the vehicle and surrounding area before entering the
vehicle. Be sure to have your keys ready to unlock the car doors prior to
entering a parking lot.
o Do not pick up HITCH-HIKERS under any circumstances.
' In event you need the police, call 911.
o Do not stop for FLASHING white lights, or flashing headlights. These are
not police procedures. Lights on emergency vehicles arc red or red and blue.
o Your car should have a FULL TANK of gasoline/petrol when you leave the
rental facility. Before departing, please ensure this is the case.
o Use SEAT BELTS - buckle up (driver and passengers). It is the law and can
save lives and reduce serious injuries in the event of an accident.
* Please remember - your personal BELONGINGS are not worth physical
harm.
Important Driver Information.
Do not allow anyone else to drive the car other than those listed on the
rental agreement, (minimum age 21) You will be held responsible for all
damages and claims if you do. You cannot loan this car out to anyone.
» Protect your car keys in the same manner that you would protect your
cash and credit cards. Failure to adequately protect the car keys could
contribute to the theft of the automobile and could result in you
being held responsible for the car.
o Yours is the only set of keys. If you lose the keys or lock them in the car,
we
regret to advise you that you will need the services of a locksmith.
' Do not leave the scene of any accident until the police have visited the scene.
You must insist that a formal documented accident report is made.
Failure to obtain a police report from the scene of an accident will void the
LDW and any other coverage and we will render you responsible for all loss,
damages and claims.You must proceed to the nearest Dollar Rent A Car office
immediately If you are physically able to do so and complete a Dollar
Accident Report. Please ensure that you have any and all documentation
pertaining to the accident, as well as a copy of your rental contract. Cars
damaged in an accident will not be replaced until it can be established that
another known party was at fault.
o Do not fail to return the car on the date, time and place specified. Cars
overdue will be reported stolen to the police and Dollar Rent-a-Car will not
be
responsible for any consequences resulting therefrom.
' You are probably driving in unfamiliar territory. There are many senior citizens
and other tourists on the roads of Florida, and there are also many uninsured
motorists. Please drive carefully.
' Pay all parking tickets promptly. If you fail to make payment, the cities
or towns in
question will obtain from us your name, address and driver's license number.
The
fine will then be much higher and you may be denied the privilege of driving
in
Florida and other states until the fines have been paid.
o Cars cannot be taken out of the state of Florida unless prior approval in
writing is
obtained from Dollar.
' WARNING! Providing a car rental company with any false information in
the process of renting a car is illegal.
Making any false statements to the police is a criminal offence.
o Before setting off anywhere, please double check that you have the correct
directions and have studied a map to familiarize yourself with the route. If
you
have to ask directions, please stop at a gas station or a convenience store.
Avoid
stopping in poorly lit or sparsely populated areas. Do not leave valuable
items out in the open.
' By law seat belts must be worn by front seat passengers. The number of
passengers may not exceed the number of seat belts.
' Do not allow the placement of any objects or persons on the roof of your
vehicle.
Remember
o As a general rule in adverse weather, if your wipers are on, your headlights
should also be on.
' Car rental documents should be kept where they are easily accessible at all
times.
' BABY SEATS: By law infants under 4 years of age or 40 pounds In weight must
be placed In a
baby seat. Ask your agent for details. There is a
charge for this .service. (Subject to change.)
o The car must be in 'Park" or "P" position in order to remove
the key.
o Lights should not be left on in the car while unattended. Even interior lights
can run the
battery down, resulting in the car failing to start.
» As all cars are air conditioned, it Is strongly suggested that all doors
and windows be kept
locked while driving through populated areas. Handbags, packages or any articles
should not be
left visible In the car while it is unattended.
Rules of the road
Warning any driver found guilty of DUI (Driving under the influence)
Loses their licence automatically, is jailed immediately, receives a court date
and subsequent harsh penalties.
Any open container of alcohol in the vehicle is illegal in Florida. DON'T DO
IT!!
Patrol cars are in abundance and unannounced road blocks are set up In order
to strictly
enforce the highway code. Avoid a ticket and subsequent fine by:
o Carrying your driving license at all times
o Wearing seat belts in the front of the car at all times
o Parking off the curb
o Parking only in the same direction as the flow of traffic
' Parking clear of tow away zones
o Keeping strictly to the speed limits.
Basic Third Party Insurance is provided by the car rental company. Third Party
Insurance relates to damage or injury to property or the person of a third party
and should not be confused with Personal Accident and Effects. Supplemental
Liability Insurance (SU) is available for an additional daily charge to provide
you
with coverage up to SI,000,000 for third party claims.
Top-Up insurance Is not a part of the general holiday insurance package.
Top-Up Insurance is not a substitute for Loss Damage Waiver and Top-Up Insurance
has
nothing to do with damage to the rental of the car.
Uninsured or underinsured motorist Protection (UMP) covers the renter(s) and
family members travelling together in the rented vehicles with up to $1,000.000
of
non-stacked coverage for bodily injury sustained while driving the rental car,
and
caused by another driver who has no insurance, minimal insurance or is a hit-
and-run driver.
Personal Accident & effects provides you with medical expense, death and
dismemberment benefits for bodily Injury which results from an accident. PAE
also
provides for some loss of or damage to personal property while In the rented
Loss Damage Waiver (LDW) protects you for any damage to the rental vehicle as
a
result of a collision. Dollar will not accept, as a substitute for the LDW,
any
type of coverage purchased elsewhere. If you choose not to purchase the LDW
from Dollar, you must understand that you will be held personally responsible
for all damages or loss, regardless who was at fault, up to the full retail
value of
the car, including loss of use. There are credit requirements that must be fulfilled
if you choose to decline LDW, to protect the rental company against what could
be a
substantial loss.
Please remember that for the LDW or any coverage to be effective, you must
abide by the terms and conditions of the rental agreement.
Supplemental Liability Insurance
(SLI,Top -Up or Top Guard Insurance)
This protection covers your liability to third parties, resulting from an auto
accident
in a rental vehicle, for bodily injury and property damage other than to the
rental
vehicle, to the maximum protection of S 1,000,000 for each occurrence.
Frequently Asked questions concerning SLI;
Q: WHAT DOES "THIRD-PARTY LIABILITY"
MEAN?
A: In simple terms, if you have an accident, you may be sued and found
legally liable to pay damages to the person or persons you injured, should
they win the lawsuit.
Q: DO I STILL NEED SLI IF I PURCHASED HOLIDAY INSURANCE AS PART OF MY
TRAVEL PACKAGE?
A: Yes. Holiday Insurance specifically excludes third party liability claims
arising from the use of a motor vehicle.
Q: DOES THE CAR HIRE COMPANY PROVIDE ME WITH ANY LIABILITY INSURANCE?
A: The car hire company provides you with limited third party liability
insurance. SLI extends the limit to $1 million. Liability claims may exceed
the
limited Liability coverage provided by the car hire company.
Q: HOW DO I OBTAIN SLI AND WHAT IS THE CHARGE?
A: You, the Renter, must indicate on the Rental Agreement, that you accept SLI.
This must be done at the beginning of the rental. A daily charge for this option
applies.
Q: DO MOST PEOPLE PURCHASE SLI?
A: The majority of the people value the additional security and peace of mind
that SLI provides and will usually purchase the SU coverage if they have
not done so back home.
Q: ARE THERE ANY EXCLUSIONS OR LIMITATIONS UNDER SLI?
A: Yes. All exclusions of coverage are listed in the Master Policy on file in
the Corporation Office. Also, SLI does not apply:
a. If you fail to pay the rental charges;
b. If you or any Authorized Driver violate the terms of the rental Agreement;
c. If you do not accept the SLI at the beginning of the rental.
Q: IF I AM INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT, HOW DO I REPORT A CLAIM?
A: If you have an accident, immediately contact the location where you rented
the vehicle. They will assist you in filing the necessary accident report.
PLEASE NOTE: This information is merely a summary of SLI. It is not
intended to act as a substitute for the actual insurance policy, which will
govern
in all cases. SLI is subject to all provisions, limitations, and exceptions
of the
Supplemental Liability Insurance policy applicable at the time of purchase.
Upon
request, a copy of the complete Supplemental Liability Insurance policy is
available for your inspection.
Be aware that traffic lights are suspended on wires above eye level.
o Note that the sequence of traffic lights from green to red is quick.
Therefore, caution Is required when approaching a green light as it
could rapidly change to amber and red.
o Lane discipline is very relaxed. Although slow traffic should keep to
the right, speed bears little relation to lane. Overtaking on the Inside is
common practice, so watch out for cars on either side.
Did You Know?
' RIGHT TURNS; Unless otherwise posted, a right turn at a red light is
permitted, but only if the way is clear and only after making a complete stop.
o TOLLS: At a toll booth, you need not have the exact change. Simply enter the
lane marked "Change and Receipts'.
o STREET SIGNS: Signs are small, suspended on wires. The street sign
facing you at a junction is the name of the road you are crossing - not the
one you are on,
o SCHOOL BUSES: On a 2 way street, cars travelling in both directions must
stop for a stationary school bus with flashing red lights and remain stopped
until the bus moves off.
This does not apply If you are driving in the opposite direction to the bus
on a dual carriage
way. If you are driving in the same direction as the bus, you must always stop
ROADS.
Most have numbers and names and run East/West (even numbers) North/South (odd
numbers).
Amenities
As a courtesy, all vehicles have a full tank of petrol for your convenience.
o Petrol stations have Full or self-service pumps. Full service provides an
attendant to pump petrol, check car fluids and wash windscreens. The
difference in price is an average of 40 cents per gallon.
Never use diesel or leaded petrol - be careful.
Many stations require you to pay before filling up, so check upon arrival.
To fill up, you must first lift the lever on the pump.
o Do not expect to see any service stations/plazas on major highways,
freeways and interstate roads so check the fuel tank constantly to avoid
expensive towing charges.
LEFT TURNS
oNever make a left turn at a junction without first giving way to all oncoming
traffic.
o At some intersections a Green Arrow is used to see you safely across.
oOnly a Green Arrow gives you the right of way - a normal Green Light does
not.
o A normal Green Light means you must watch out and give way to all oncoming
traffic! Wait for them to pass before turning left!
GREEN ARROW
oOnly a green arrow gives you the right of way when turning left but always
check
for oncoming traffic before turning.
Green Light
oA normal green light does not give you the right of way to turn left. You must
give way to oncoming traffic and wait For them to pass before turning.