Beginning November 1, 2026, important changes will take effect regarding rental vehicle insurance coverage for drivers aged 18-20 traveling on university business. Units and travelers are encouraged to adopt these requirements as soon as possible in advance of the effective date to avoid disruptions and ensure compliance.
Following a recent change in vendor coverage, Enterprise and National will no longer provide insurance coverage for underage drivers (ages 18–20). As a result, Hertz will be the only contracted rental car supplier approved for business vehicle rentals involving drivers in this age group, as Hertz continues to provide the required insurance coverage for eligible underage drivers. This coverage helps protect the driver, the department/unit, and the university in the event of an accident or claim.
What Travelers Need to Know
- Drivers under age 18 are not permitted to rent or operate rental vehicles for university business through Hertz, Enterprise, National, or any other rental car provider.
- Drivers ages 18–20 who are renting a vehicle for approved university business must rent through Hertz. Hertz provides the required minimum insurance coverage, which helps protect the driver, the department/unit, and the university in the event of an accident or claim.
- Insurance coverage will not be available for underage drivers renting through Enterprise, National, or any other car rental provider.
- Enterprise and National will not permit the separate purchase of supplemental insurance coverage for drivers in this age group. As a result, there is no option to obtain equivalent coverage through those suppliers for university business travel.
- If an underage traveler rents through Enterprise, National, or another non-contracted agency and is identified as the driver in an accident or claim, the traveler will be held personally responsible for damage, liability, injuries, legal expenses, or other associated costs.
- Any uninsured expenses will also become the responsibility of the sponsoring unit.
Important Reminder for Units and Travelers
Units planning university-sponsored travel involving students, graduate assistants, or other travelers age 18-20 must ensure rental reservations are made through Hertz.
The university prohibits underage travelers (aged 20 and younger) from renting or operating rental vehicles obtained through Enterprise, National, or any non-contracted rental agency for university business. Insurance coverage is not available through these suppliers for this age group, nor can supplemental coverage be purchased. Travelers who rent through these providers will be personally responsible for any claims, damages, or liabilities incurred, and the sponsoring unit may also incur financial responsibility for resulting costs.
Units are encouraged to distribute this information broadly to travelers, travel arrangers, faculty, staff, students, business managers, and approvers who may coordinate or participate in university-sponsored travel. Advance awareness of this change will help avoid uncovered rental vehicle claims and unexpected financial liability.
Travel arrangers and approvers must review upcoming travel plans and make any necessary adjustments to ensure compliance with this change before the November 1 effective date.
Questions regarding vehicle rental requirements or university travel policies may be directed to the Travel Office.