The rental of an average car is a process that should be paid more than last minute attention during the trip. Unfortunately, many families (and business travelers) don’t do a few little things ahead of time that could lead to a more stress-free car rental travel experience. As any frequent traveler knows, renting the car right at the beginning of the trip can make for a much more enjoyable trip for everyone at the end. Here are 5 keys to a successful car rental that every traveler should keep in mind:
1. Do some homework. As with any smart buying decision, even a little preparation can save you money. For example, the wise and experienced traveler will make sure that their own car insurance is up to date and sufficient for their planned car rental needs. It is widely accepted that travelers do not need to purchase the insurance offered by the rental company if their own coverage can adequately protect them. The only exception to this could be: lack of insurance because the renter does not have a personal car. In this case, the insurance from the higher-priced rental company is better than none.
2. Understand your rental agreement. Wise Car Rental customers will make absolutely sure they understand the terms and requirements of any car or vehicle rental agreement. This is an important part of preparation for travel and car rentals, and it shouldn’t be something to study only when a problem arises. Some details that should always be confirmed include: 1) How many miles are allowed per day (experienced rental customers agree that unlimited mileage is best for most travelers) and 2) Is the customer required to refill gas tank when car is returned? ? Rental companies generally offer a fuel option that allows the customer to prepay for a tank of gas. This means that the driver can return the car without filling the tank. In most cases it is better to buy gas when necessary, filling the tank just before returning the car.
3. Know what you are renting. While many travelers will actually consider insurance, mileage, and gas when renting a car, most won’t take the time to look at the physical condition of the car for dents, scratches, and other appearance issues. Customer feedback and customer complaints indicate that car rental companies will sometimes try to blame these problems on the current renter. To avoid this difficulty, prudent car rental customers will point out any problems before taking the car, making sure that scratches, dents and upholstery problems are noted in writing by the company representative. Tip: Experienced tenants use their digital cameras to document any problems before they leave.
Four. Seek value but pay for happiness. The car rental industry has grown rapidly and now includes dozens of options. This level of competition has resulted in reduced prices, even from some of the big name companies. Of course, the best offer for the lowest price is everyone’s goal. However, experience in the car rental field has taught many people that the lowest price is not always the key to happiness. (It’s always a good idea to pay special attention to “howevers”). As options expand, customers are tempted to choose lesser-known companies to save money. Many of these casual tenants assume that state and federal laws will protect them from any major problems. While it is generally true that “branded” corporations and many smaller companies will provide a quality, worry-free experience, problems can arise with some of the smaller startups. The smart renter will make sure to clear up any doubts about the car’s terms and conditions, especially with smaller fleet companies. The pressure to create and grow a business can lead some to take shortcuts. In the end, the customer may have to pay for that pressure.
5. Highlight the small details. There are a number of items in the fine print of rental agreements that can be added to or subtracted from the total cost that you ultimately end up paying. Two that should be fully understood at the beginning are: 1) Return requirements: Is the original renter required to take the car to the same location? There may be a charge to return the vehicle to another site. 2) Will there be an additional charge if the driver is under a certain age? Companies can include a surcharge if the driver is under 25, for example. These are the most popular and may mean hidden fees at the end of your trip that you weren’t expecting. Be sure to read the fine print and ask questions before driving that rental car off the lot.
The holidays can be hectic enough without adding the stress of a bad car rental into the equation. The mistakes that the average traveler makes when it comes to renting a car range from lack of planning before the trip begins, to doing little things during the rental process that end up costing more money in the end. Savvy travelers can avoid these mistakes by following the five tips outlined above for a successful, stress-free car rental.