Frequently Asked Questions
Our Rental Process
To rent a vehicle from Prime Rent-A-Car, give us a call at 240-607-2653, or drop by the rental agency in person. Be sure to reivew our “What is required to rent a vehicle from Prime Rent-A-Car?” FAQ before dropping by.
| To rent a vehicle from Prime Rent-A-Car, you must be at least 21 years of age (a young driver fee will be assessed if you’re under 25); have a valid driver’s license with photo; have personal vehicle insurance with coverage of at least the Maryland State Minimum requirements ($30,000 for bodily injury per person, $60,000 bodily injury for two or more people, and $15,000 for property damage) that extends to rental vehicles; and have a valid credit card in the renter’s name, to secure the vehicle during the rental. Additionally, the renter should not have had any of the following vehicle infractions during the previous 36 months: reckless driving, possession of a stolen vehicle, a DUI, or any other vehicle-related crimes. |
Renters must present a valid, unexpired government-issued driver’s license which includes a photograph. Digital licenses are not accepted. The driver’s license must also be valid for the entire rental period.
Yes, additional drivers must be at least 21 years old and meet the same renter’s eligibility requirements as the primary driver. A $15 fee per additional driver will apply.
Insurance Information
Yes. At Prime Rent-A-Car we require renters to have full coverage auto insurance that extends to rental vehicles and the coverage amounts must be at least the Maryland State Minimum requirements of $30,000 for bodily injury per person, $60,000 bodily injury for two or more people, and $15,000 for property damage.
If you do not have full coverage insurance or if your policy does not extend to rental vehicles, you may purchase Renters Collision Protection (RCP) from us, as an add-on to your rental. The cost for RCP is $25.00 per day (this will cover you and any additional authorized drivers at no extra fee.) For more details about RCP, see “Can I purchase insurance coverage from Prime Rent-A-Car?” We do NOT offer liability coverage.
Yes. Prime Rent-A-Car offers Renter’s Collision Protection (RCP), which is insurance coverage that protects the rental vehicle ONLY. RCP pays for damages done to the rental vehicle (as long as the renter has not breached the renter’s contract), up to $20,000.00 USD. RCP can be purchased at the time of rental, for $25.00 per day, and has a $250.00 deductible, which is the renter’s responsibility.
No. Renters must already have their own vehicle insurance. Prime Rent-A-Car offers RCP, which is insurance coverage for the rental vehicle only.
If you have rental reimbursement coverage through your insurance provider, your policy may cover rental costs while your vehicle is in the shop. Reach out to your insurance company for details.
Note: At the end of the rental, Prime Rent-A-Car typically collects the full cost of the rental from the renter, who can then be reimbursed by their insurance company. Prime Rent-A-Car may also require a deposit from the renter in order to secure the vehicle during the rental.
Rental Stipulations
No. Prime Rent-A-Car vehicles may not be driven outside of a 100-mile radius of the vehicle’s “pick-up” location: 2 Irongate Dr., Waldorf, Maryland 20602. NO EXCEPTIONS!
Prime Rent-A-Car’s 100-mile vehicle geographical restrictions are due to stipulations imposed on our vehicles by our insurance underwriters.
In the event the vehicle is taken beyond the 100-Mile radius of the vehicle’s pickup location, the renter will receive a warning (via text, phone call and/or email) advising them to return the vehicle back to the permitted area. If the vehicle is not returned after such warning, Prime Rent-A-Car may impose a $250 fine, and possibly activate the Vehicle’s GPS Immobilizer if the renter is unresponsive/not reachable. If this occurs, the renter’s rental rights will immediately be revoked, and no refund will be given for unused days. The renter will also be responsible for all applicable recovery costs associated with returning the vehicle to its drop-off location (2 Irongate Drive, Waldorf, Maryland 20602)
No. In order to protect our vehicles and the interest of our renters (who would otherwise be liable for damages or loss to the vehicle after hours), Prime Rent-A-Car requires rental vehicles to be returned during normal business hours only. (Monday – Friday, 8am – 5pm; Saturday 8am – 12pm; *please be advised that operating hours may change due to holidays and other events.)
No. Prime Rent-A-Car does not charge an early return fee. Renters will only be charged for the days the vehicle is out on rent.
Yes, Prime Rent-A-Car recommends and encourages renters to refuel the vehicle prior to drop-off. However, the renter may opt to pay for fuel at the rental counter at the end of the rental.
Keep in mind that the Prime Rent-A-Car fuel rate is typically much higher than the local pump price.
Rental Policies
If you find that the rental vehicle you initially selected doesn’t meet your specific needs or preferences, simply reach out to our customer service team, and we’ll assist you in finding a suitable alternative from our available inventory.
No. Prime Rent-A-Car does not have a lost and found and is not liable for any item(s) left in their vehicles after drop-off. However, we will make every effort to return lost items to renters whenever possible.
Yes. Prime Rent-A-Car offers unlimited mileage on all of our vehicles. However, our vehicles must remain within the 100-mile radius of 2 Irongate Drive, Waldorf, Maryland 20602 (per insurance restrictions)
No. At this time, Prime Rent-A-Car does not offer a pickup service. However, we may offer this service in the future. Please check back with us at a later date.
Reservations can be changed or cancelled by calling Prime Rent-A-Car during normal business hours. A cancellation fee may be assessed for same day cancellations.
Yes, this scenario may happen. In this case, it will be the renter’s legal spouse or an additional authorized driver who has been added to the rental. Spouses and additional drivers will need to have met all the renter’s eligibility requirements. *See “What is required to rent a vehicle from Prime Rent-A-Car?”
No. Prime Rent-a-Car does not allow a hitch or towing of any kind with the rental vehicle. However, towing is available on select pickup trucks. Please speak with a Prime Rent-A-Car agent to check availability.
Damage to the rental vehicle, such as accidents, dents, etc., will be covered by Renter’s Collision Protection (RCP) if the renter has purchased RCP at the time of rental. (RCP is a vehicle protection product that must be added if the renter only has liability insurance, or if their full-coverage insurance does not extend to rental cars). Find out how to file an RCP Claim.
If the renter has chosen to cover the rental vehicle with their own insurance (not RCP) and the car gets damaged, the renter must either file a claim with his/her insurance company to cover the damages, or the renter may pay out of pocket for any needed repairs. (Personal auto insurance may or may not cover the cost of repairs, so it is best to check prior to renting the vehicle.)
Note: Please refer to your rental agreement for more information.
Regrettably, Prime Rent-A-Car does not permit pets inside our vehicles. If a customer brings a pet along, they may be subject to a cleaning fee of up to $350 to ensure the vehicle is thoroughly cleaned.
Rental Car Add-Ons
Yes, you may purchase 24/7 Emergency Roadside Assistance as an add-on for your rental, for a nominal fee. This service includes towing, battery service, flat tire assistance, locksmith services, winching, and fuel and water delivery service (cost of fluids are not included.) Please speak with a Prime Rent-A-Car agent for more information.
No. At this time, Prime Rent-A-Car does not rent child safety seats. However, we may offer this in the future. Please check back with us at a future date.
No. Prime Rent-A-Car does not offer snow chains/traction devices as additional equipment.
What to Do in an Emergency
1. If you are involved in an auto accident, first ensure your safety and that of the other parties involved.
2. Then make sure you exchange information and your personal insurance details with all other parties involved.
3. You’ll need to file a police report with local law enforcement (be sure to get a police report number, as you will need it to process your claim.)
4. Then you will need to arrange to have the vehicle towed if it is not driveable.
5. Contact Prime Rent-A-Car to report the incident as soon as reasonably possible. We can direct you from there.
You can find detailed instructions on what to do if you are in an accident on the Accident Procedures page.
If your vehicle breaks down and you have purchased our 24/7 Emergency Roadside Assistance service, simply contact our 24-hour Roadside Assistance hotline at 855-866-3161 to request assistance.
If you have NOT purchased our 24/7 Emergency Roadside Assistance service, you may still use this service for a flat-rate fee of $50.00 per use (the maximum benefit of winching and locksmith services is $100 per incident; any amount exceeding $100 is the responsibility of the renter). *You will be reimbursed if our findings conclude that the vehicle issues were of no fault of the driver(s).
If your rental vehicle gets stolen during your rental, call the Police to file an official police report. Forward a copy of the police report to Prime Rent-A-Car, via the Contact Us page. Please reach out to a Prime Rent-A-Car agent for instructions on how to proceed.
If you lose the keys to your rental vehicle and you have added our 24/7 Emergency Roadside Assistance service, simply contact our 24-hour Roadside Assistance hotline at 855-866-3161, and request Lost Key/Lockout Service.
If you have NOT purchased our 24/7 Emergency Roadside Assistance service, you may still use this service for a flat-rate fee of $50.00 per use (the maximum benefit of winching and locksmith services is $100 per incident; any amount exceeding $100 is the responsibility of the renter). *You will be reimbursed if our findings conclude that the vehicle issues were of no fault of the driver(s).
If your vehicle won’t start and you have purchased our Roadside Assistance service, simply contact our 24-hour Roadside Assistance hotline at 855-866-3161 to request assistance.
If you have NOT purchased our Roadside Assistance service, you may still use this service for a flat-rate fee of $50.00 per use. *You will be reimbursed if our findings conclude that the vehicle issues were of no fault of the driver(s).
If you run out of gas in your rental vehicle and you have purchased our Roadside Assistance service, simply contact our 24-hour Roadside Assistance hotline at 855-866-3161, and request Fuel/Fluid Service.
If you have NOT purchased our Roadside Assistance service, you may still use this service for a flat-rate fee of $50.00 per use.
Pricing, Charges and Discounts
The cost of a rental vehicle depends on many factors, including, but not limited to:
1) The length of time of vehicle rental
2) Vehicle class selected
3) Optional services, such as added insurance or protection products
Please speak with a Prime Rent-A-Car agent for the most accurate pricing at the time of rental, or visit our Reservation portal.
Prime Rent-A-Car accepts the following forms of payment:
1) Cash: Cash payments are accepted at the end of a rental. However, the vehicle must be secured with a valid credit card at the time of pick-up.
2) Credit Cards: VISA®, MasterCard®, American Express®, and Discover Network®
Cash is accepted as a valid form of payment at the end of the rental. However a valid credit card in the renter’s name must be provided to secure the vehicle during the rental.
Yes. Prime Rent-A-Car requires a deposit to rent a vehicle. The deposit amount is typically $250.00 USD, but may vary by vehicle class and length of expected rental days. The vehicle deposit is secured on the renter’s credit card at the time of the rental and is released from the renter’s credit card at the end of the rental.
Renter’s Collision Protection (RCP) can be purchased for $25.00 USD per day and has a $250.00 deductible, which is the renter’s responsibility. You can find detailed information regarding RCP here:
No. Unfortunately, we do not accept debit cards to hold your reservation. You must possess a valid major credit card with enough funds available to cover the cost of your rental fees plus an additional deposit.
We offer no charge cancellation, as long as there is 48 hours or more notice. If you cancel your reservation within 48 hours from the start of the rental, we may impose a single-day charge to accommodate our loss of rental availability.
If your rental car gets scratched, dented, or damaged, you must file an Incident Report here, and you may be charged for the cost of repairs. To avoid this, you may file a claim with your insurance company, your policy may cover damage to the rental car. However, you’ll have to pay a deductible first, and it may not be worth filing a claim if the damage is less than your deductible.
Alternatively, you can purchase Renter’s Collision Protection (RCP) from Prime Rent-A-Car for $25 a day. This protection will cover the cost of repairs to the vehicle for up to $20,000 with a $250 deductible that you would be responsible for paying.
Prime Rent-A-Car is proud to offer some of the most competitive rates in the industry. In addition, we periodically offer special promotions throughout the year, including Weekly and Monthly Rates. Be sure to speak with a Prime Rent-A-Car agent for more details.
Unfortunately, Prime Rent-A-Car does not offer special rates to military personnel at this time.
Yes. Renters are responsible for payment of any tolls, parking, and moving traffic violations. So, please drive safely and observe all ordinances.
In the event that a traffic ticket, moving violation, or toll fee is received by Prime Rent-A-Car on the renter’s behalf, the renter’s credit card will be charged for the fees incurred while the vehicle was on rent. Documentation will be provided in all cases.
No. The renter of the vehicle must be present and provide their own credit card at the time of pick up. The renter cannot provide a credit card belonging to someone else for their use.
If you wish to pay for the rental vehicle, but have someone else drive it, you can rent the vehicle in your name and add them as an additional driver. In order to add an additional driver, they would have to meet all of our additional driver requirements.
Yes. Prime Rent-A-Car from time to time will sell part of its inventory. If you are interested in purchasing one of our vehicles, be sure to speak to a Prime Rent-A-Car agent for more details.
Prime Rent-A-Car accepts prepaid gift cards with a Visa, Mastercard®, or American Express symbol as a form of payment at the end of a rental. However, we do not accept gift cards to secure a rental.