Van rental questions from Chicago renters, in the order a reservation raises them
Whose van it is, what is paid and when, who may drive, and what happens if plans change: these twelve answers take the van rental questions from Chicago renters in that order.
Florida Van Rental Company is a van reservation desk in Chicago, Illinois. One independent rental provider in the Chicago area writes your quote and agreement, checks every driver's license, takes payment and any refundable deposit, and hands over the keys.
Who owns the van I drive?
An independent Chicago rental provider. The desk sends your request to that provider, and the provider's name is printed on the written quote before you agree to anything. Your contract for the van itself is with the provider, on the terms it sends you.
Is the desk ever paid by the renter?
No, never. This site collects no payment and never requests a card. All payment and any refundable deposit are taken by the rental provider at the time and on the terms its written quote states.
Is a deposit taken when I collect the van?
The rental provider states any refundable deposit in its written quote, with how and when it is returned. The desk asks for that figure before you commit, so it is never a surprise when you collect the van.
What age must each driver be?
The rental provider's age rule applies and is printed on the quote. The starting rates on this site are for drivers who meet the provider's standard age; tell the desk the age of every driver in the notes and the quote states what applies to each.
Is mileage included on the drive south?
The mileage allowance is part of the provider's written quote. On one-way rentals to Florida the desk asks for an allowance that covers the road miles shown on this site plus a margin for detours; if a quote caps the miles below that, the desk tells you before you agree. Tolls on the road are billed under the provider's own terms, stated on the quote.
Why does a one-way van to Florida cost more than a round trip?
The provider charges a one-way fee for getting the van back into use after a Florida drop-off. Each starting rate on this site is set to include that fee, worked out from the road miles of the run.
Where is the van handed over at the far end?
At the drop-off address printed on the provider's quote, in or near the Florida city you chose. The desk asks for an address with daytime hours, so the van is checked in with you present; any refundable deposit comes back on the provider's terms.
Which license does each driver need?
A current, valid driver's license, shown to the rental provider at pickup for every person who will drive. The provider's quote states any other condition.
Who are the 12- and 15-passenger vans reserved for?
Adult groups, families, congregations and adult sports teams. The rental provider's agreement sets how the van may be used, and for the long 15-passenger van the desk asks the provider for its handling notes and passes them on with the quote.
Will the provider fit the van with seats for small children?
Tell the desk how many child seats you need and for which ages. The rental provider says in writing whether it can provide them; if it cannot, bring your own and fit them before you leave Chicago.
Are new dates possible once a quote is out?
Yes. Write to the desk and it asks the provider for a new quote for the booking. Until you accept a quote, a new date costs nothing; once you have accepted one, the change terms printed on that quote decide the cost. Details are on the cancellation page.
Is anyone writing back on Sundays?
In writing, yes: Sunday replies go out between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Central (noon to 4 p.m. Eastern). The phone is closed on Sunday. Every written request has its reply out before the next desk day closes.
Question not listed? Write to requests@floridavanrentalcompany.com or call +1 (312) 642-5073 in desk hours.