Money Saving Tips When Renting A Car

There are many reasons to rent a car. When you travel by air and need some wheels when you hit the ground, if you need to travel from home and your car is not up to the trip or is not big enough to hold all your "stuff," a rent-a-car comes in very handy. You might need one if your car is damaged from an accident and needs to be repaired, or if it is totaled and you need to shop for a new car. Renting a car can also be just plain fun. It is a way to drive a vehicle you can't afford to buy. Rent one for a weekend get-away, or a romantic date.

Whatever the reason, you should understand what you are agreeing to be responsible for.

Price: Most rental cars are within $5 of each other for similar cars. You can save money with credit card coupons, AAA membership, various clubs and by using your frequent flyer miles. Check for special weekend packages or weekly rates.

Type of Car: The cars are separated into different categories by the sizes & price. The Economy and Compact cars are the cheapest. I find them uncomfortable and don't feel safe driving them on highway along side semi-trucks. I feel that Midsize or Intermediate cars are the best value for your dollar. If you want a fun vehicle look under Standard, Premium or Luxury. If you need cargo space, there are SUVs, Minivans, Pickup Trucks and Cargo Vans to choose from.

Mileage: There are three ways they calculate the mileage. Try to calculate how many miles you will be traveling to determine which one works best for you. 1) Unlimited miles. 2) A certain number of free miles and then add a per-mile charge for extra miles. 3) A per-mile charge, where the odometer reading is taken before and afterwards, and the charge is added to the final bill.

Fuel: You start out with a full tank of gas. There are three ways to deal with refueling. 1) Refill the tank right before you return the car. 2) Return the car as is and let the rental company deal with it, but you will pay a higher rate for the gasoline. 3) You can pay for the gas ahead of time, but get no refund for unused gas when you turn in the car.

Insurance: There are three ways to deal with insurance. 1) Your personal auto insurance rental car coverage. It's a good idea to talk to your insurance agent to find out what your policy covers. Some policies don't cover stolen personal property. But your homeowners / rental policy may. Some rental policies don't cover any injuries. But your health insurance may. 2) If you are using a credit care for your insurance coverage, BEWARE! You may need to enroll in a program first to get coverage. You may have to rent your car from a particular company. There may be limits on days for which coverage is available and coverage may be for only certain types of cars. Some only reimburse you for the deductible from your regular insurance policy, while others only provide coverage for damage to the car. You would pay for any personal injury or property damage. 3) You can purchase insurance from the Rental Company. They typically offer liability coverage in two parts. Supplemental liability policy protects you against claims from others. LDW (loss damage waiver) waives your liability for any damage done to the rental car.

Requirements: You must have a current drive's license. Some companies have a minimum age of 25. Younger drivers may be charge higher rates and Seniors may face restrictions. All companies take credit card, few take debit cards. Some take cash, but you'll need to show a return airline ticket, leave a deposit and offer a long list of identifying information. Some companies want written proof of auto insurance if you are turning down their insurance.

"One-way" fee: Some rental companies charge extra if you pick up your rental car one place and drop it off somewhere else. The further the distance the higher the charge!

Surcharges: If you're picking up your rental car right at the airport you may be charged an airport tax. If you're renting a car in a large city, you may be charged a city surcharge. If you bring the car back late, you may be charged a late fee.

Additional driver fees: Some companies charge for additional authorized drivers. If an unauthorized driver gets in an accident in your rental car, it will void your rental insurance.

Driving on dirt roads: Check your contract: Some companies don't permit it unless you're renting a SUV or 4WD vehicle.

Avoiding Paying for Previous Damages: Before you drive off, ask the representative to make a visual inspection with you looking for any damage inside and outside the car, note them on your contract and sign it. This will make sure you won't be liable for the existing damages on the car when you return it. Also, make sure there is an owner's manual in the glove box, if there is a car alarm, and how to quickly turn it off!

Losing The Keys: Rental companies charge top dollar to get you another set of keys, so pay attention to where you put them!

Losing the Car: Write down on a piece of paper the color, license number, make and model of the car and keep it close by. Before you walk away from a big parking lot write down the location of where you parked the car.

Accident with Your Rental Car: Follow these important steps: 1) obtain the driver's license number and name of every driver involved. 2) Write down the date, the time and the location of the accident. 3) Take pictures of everything including the other drivers. 4) Be sure to notify the car rental company as soon as possible.

Following these guide lines will make your car rental experience cost effective and stress free!

Happy Motoring,

Amy