For beginners, renting a car is not easy. In addition to the expenses, there are many details to consider before signing the rental agreement. For example, you need to think about rental rates, gas charges, insurance, and rules and restrictions. Let’s talk about the dos and don’ts of renting a car.
Compare rates
Travel / rental agencies have websites that allow you to compare rates. However, make sure you know that a “deal” is truly the best deal. Sometimes total expenses add up quickly if you add in all the fees and taxes.
If you ask for a discount, you can save up to 20%. Aside from this, avoiding extras and reservation pacts can also help you save a lot of money. To avoid these charges, it is best to pick up your vehicle from anywhere other than the airport. Also, you should consider gas filling packages. If you do some calculations, you can decide whether or not it should be filled.
Book in advance
By booking in advance, you can enjoy some flexibility in terms of pricing. For example, if you have a long lead time, you can choose from a variety of cars and enjoy better rates. Also, when you return from your tour to return the car, don’t be late. If you are even a few hours late, you may have to pay for a full day.
Although it may sound obvious, you must decide if you really need to reserve a car. If your plan is to explore the city streets or spend your vacation on the beach, you may not want to book a rental car. Instead, you have to rent for just one day and use public taxis for the rest of the time.
Don’t buy Additional Insurance
Chances are, your existing insurance policy also provides coverage for a rental car. However, you must contact your insurance agency for confirmation. If necessary, you can purchase supplemental insurance. Make sure you have at least the collision and damage waiver policy. Also, some credit cards provide CDW as long as they are used to pay for car rentals.
Beware of Restrictions
You must also take into account the restrictions. Most US agencies have no problem if you choose to drive or cross into Canada, for example. However, you may face some insurance problems or other restrictions. Therefore, you should do your research before driving into restricted areas.
Check the car for damage
You should check the car from all angles to make sure there are no dents, scrapes, or dings. It is a great idea to take pictures of the vehicle from all angles. If you notice any dents or bumps, show them to the rental agent.
If you notice extensive damage, request another vehicle. It is not a good idea to take a car without checking it. After all, you don’t want to end up paying for dents you didn’t cause.
Bottom line, here are some dos and don’ts that you should be aware of before renting a car. I hope this helps.