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Many agencies will not rent to anybody under a certain age because the bas insurance they have does not cover the driver. If an agency is charging a supplemental fee, it means the insurance company is will to grant the base coverage upon payment of extra premium. Note, that doesn't give you, the driver, full coverage, you still have to add that or be responsible for loss-of-use, vandalism, all kinds of damages that aren't covered under the base policy. You could find yourself still paying for the whole car if you have an at-fault accident and don't have the extra coverage.

Don't get someone else to rent it if that person isn't driving it. If you have an accident, you could be on the hook for the full value of the vehicle (actually it may all be billed to your friend's credit card) plus be charged with insurance fraud.

If someone elses rents the car without adding you as a driver and you have an accident, the renter is onthe hook for the full cost of the car. Just pay the fee, it's not worth the possible problems later on.

Not that I've come across.

As for what the top post suggests, if you do that and get pulled over or are involved in a collision, you will not be insured and both you and the person that rented the vehicle will be in some legal hot water.

Yes there is a way, and I do it all the time. Get someone else to put in there name and credit card. Then pay them upfront for all the costs. I'd give them a little extra for their kindness. Otherwise, basically there is no other way to avoid. Some states, don't have such an expensive fee though, I would look into, you might afford it.

you can book thru http://www.rentalcarscode.com/