Traveling isn’t always a walk in the park; sometimes you need alternate forms of transportation. Whether for business or leisure, flying usually means you will need to rent a vehicle. Here are 7 tips for renting a vehicle:
Look for Deals: Renting a vehicle doesn’t have to be expensive. There are tricks of the trade that can land you a deal when renting a vehicle. First, try not to rent your vehicle at an airport as they are usually higher priced. Instead, look on deal sites like Travelocity, Budget, Thrifty, or Kayak.
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7 Tips for Renting a Vehicle
Plan Ahead
If you know you will need a rental in the near future, plan ahead. Look and book a rental before you need it. This ensures the vehicle you need will be available. It, also, gives you more options when choosing the least expensive option.
Configure Gas and Mileage
As you think about a car rental, it may seem like a real deal to get a name brand, high dollar car you will never have the money to own, but think twice about this option. Whether you rent a luxury car or not, you have to put gas into the car out of pocket. Check the vehicle stats to see how many miles per gallon of gas you can go, and if that option is affordable.
Inspect your Car
One of the most important things to do before signing your rental agreement is to inspect the car. If you notice any dings or dents, be sure to write that down and have it on your agreement. You don’t want to be stuck paying for something someone else did.
Read your Rental Agreement
Really read your rental agreement. Don’t just sign it. You want to make sure how long you have the car, the total cost, and how you need to return the vehicle. This will ensure you don’t owe money in the end.
Look for Hidden Costs
Look for hidden costs such as having to pay extra fines if you go over a specific mileage. It is important to know if there will be any additional costs than just the x amount per day. Most likely, there will be hidden costs, so be aware and look out for them.
Get the Insurance
You never know when something might happen. No matter how safe of a driver you are, others may not be that safe. It could most definitely be someone else’s fault in an accident, but still deemed your fault. Sometimes this is just the luck of the draw. Be prepared, and get the insurance. A few extra bucks will save you thousands if you get in an accident.
Renting a car is full of hidden fees costs, and requires thorough investigation before renting any vehicle. Take your time, plan early, and get the best deal you can on a rental.
Often we rent for road trips, be sure to check out more tips on road trips here.
Thanks for recommending some tips to follow when renting a vehicle. You make a great point about planning ahead to ensure that you receive the best, most affordable option. I would think that it is always better to plan ahead so you can avoid any last minute emergencies that might occur. You also make a good point about how rental insurance can bring some peace of mind since you never know what could happen while you are on the road.