Tips for Renting a Car

Are you thinking of renting a car? We have put together some tips on how to go about it:

Making a reservation

It’s always better to reserve your rental car ahead of time, especially if you want a specific vehicle. Try to book at least one week ahead. Sometimes the car rental company will give a discount for booking early.

Make sure to find out about the company’s cancellation policy when you make your reservation. You should be aware of any possible cancellation charges and how much notice is required to avoid those charges.

Choosing a company

Research the rental companies available in your area to see which one has the best rates, vehicle availability and customer service. Some companies will even pick you up and take you to the rental agency.

Some companies have specific requirements and restrictions that could affect you. Some will not rent to people under 25, while others will rent to anyone over 21. Most companies also require a credit card or at least a debit card.

Vehicles rented at airports often have an airport tax or surcharge. While you can avoid this extra fee by renting your car from a non airport location, you will usually have to find your own way to get to the rental office.

Find out what kind of additional benefits the company offers, such as roadside assistance, extended hours, etc.

Insurance

Car rental companies have a variety of extra insurance policies that they would like to sell to you. While each policy has possible benefits in certain circumstances, you should review each plan carefully before making a purchase.

In most situations, your own car insurance policy will apply to your rental car. Review your policy and/or contact your insurance company to verify that you will be covered. If so, then you don’t really need to purchase additional coverage.

Additional drivers

If you let someone not included in the rental contract drive the car, you risk voiding the contract. Make sure to include everyone in the contract. Most rental companies won’t charge extra for your spouse, but you should still make sure that their driving privileges are provided for in the contract.

Gas

Rental companies usually offer the option of either paying for a tank of gas in advance and bringing the vehicle back empty, or refueling it yourself. While the pre-pay option is cheaper than returning the vehicle empty and paying the higher surcharge amount in the contract, there is no guarantee that it will always be cheaper than refueling the car on your own. If you know that you won’t be using a full tank, don’t use the pre-pay option.

Vehicle inspection

Since you could be held responsible for any damage to the rental car, you should inspect it with the sales agent before driving off. Inspect the vehicle for existing dents, scratches and other damage, and make sure that anything you find is noted in the contract.

The contract

If there are mileage restrictions in your contract, stay within them in order to avoid post-rental penalties. You should also avoid any restricted activities, such as towing a trailer or off-roading, as it could jeopardize the insurance coverage for any damage sustained. This applies specifically to insurance purchased from the rental company, but failure to adhere to the company’s rules could complicate dealings with your own insurance provider as well.

Damage

If your rental car is involved in an accident, most companies will require you to come to the rental office to file an accident report. Many companies will want a police report as well, particularly if it was a major accident. Check your contract to see what is required. All of this also applies if your rental vehicle is vandalized or stolen.