What To Know Before Renting A Car

By Author: Steve Robinson
Total Articles: 468
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The last thing you want to spoil a trip that was otherwise planned carefully with the purchase of cheap airplane tickets and discount hotel rooms or cheap vacation packages is a problem with your car rental.

The following is information car renters should be aware of prior to renting a car:

• Do not assume that by returning a rental car early you will save money. The opposite is often the case. Many major car rental companies charge fees for returning a car before the time specified in your contract. Since early return policies vary by company, you should ask about your company’s return policy ahead of time.

• Where you pick up your car rental plays a major part in how expensive that rental will be. Almost always renting a car from an airport location is much costlier, anywhere from 20 to 50 percent more, than a rental lot outside an airport. In deciding where to rent from weigh the cost and inconvenience of having to get to an off airport location vs. the savings such a location may offer.

• Take pictures of your car rental prior to leaving the lot to ensure that you do not get charged ...
... later for damage to the rental that you did not cause. By taking pictures again when you return the car and telling employees that you have done so you lessen your chances of being charged later for pre-existing damage.

• Remember that the advertised price is almost never what you ultimately pay. Taxes and fees can make the final rental price dramatically higher. Before signing any contract you should make certain you know the total cost of your rental.

• Collision coverage from your rental company when renting domestically is not mandatory and is often not needed. Frequently your personal car insurance will cover a rental car. Some credit cards will cover collision damage, but not necessarily liability or personal injury.
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