Rates at the Lowest Level vs. a Good Deal
Many individuals view vehicle rental as a lowest-price-possible competition rather than focusing on the value of the bargain they ultimately receive, in terms of what kind of car, what's included (air conditioning, automated gear change, etc.) and what type of service they are purchasing.
The problem is that the car rental industry is very competitive, with pricing variations for similar quality and service being as little as $10 to $20. While you consider the lengthy lineups and wasted time at the lowest rental counter, drop costs for distant locations, late return penalties, fuel inflated rates, and other service expenses you didn't consider when shopping for the "best bargain," these minute price variations will disappear in the breeze.
Don't get us wrong: we don't enjoy paying more than you do. We do suggest shopping about and comparing prices, particularly now that it is so simple to do so through the Internet at comparison sites.
All we're saying is that you should think about factors other than price, and when you compare, make sure you're comparing apples to apples, not apples to pears.
Things to think about while renting a vehicle
Is the vehicle being used by a single person on a work trip, or is it being used by the whole family? How much baggage will you have, and will the vehicle you're considering be large enough to accommodate you and all of your hand bags and large suitcases? If not, consider a minivan or a vehicle with an extra-large trunk.
Do you need an infant seat or a kid booster seat? Make sure it is explicitly stated in your purchase; there is typically a scarcity of these seats and they are supplied at an additional cost. Check the legislation of the state in which you are going. In Denver, for example, a new legislation mandates Booster Seats for all 4 and 5 year olds who are under 55 inches tall.
Do you require a vehicle in town or city for the first few days? If not, try taking a cab, a bus, a train, or the hotel shuttle into the city, and then hire a vehicle from the city location to save up to 15% on Air-Port costs as well as city parking fees.
Are you planning a trip to a hot and humid location? If so, it is suggested to arrange a vehicle with air conditioning; the price difference is generally small; the issue is that it is not accessible in all locations, like in certain European countries.
Most major rental vehicle companies provide unlimited mileage in the same state, but it's a good idea to double-check their policy before booking. Many smaller, locally owned and operated businesses charge mileage beyond the first 100-200 free miles each day.
As previously said, pricing is not the only aspect to consider when selecting a vehicle rental business. If you select a tiny, unknown business, don't expect them to offer service throughout the whole country or continent; what will you do if the vehicle has to be replaced or repaired for any reason?
Programs and affiliations for frequent or preferred renters
Programs for frequent renters, Major vehicle rental businesses, like airlines and hotels, monitor their clients' rental history and provide preferential treatment to loyal customers. Most large businesses have frequent renter programs that are comparable to airline frequent-flyer and hotel frequent-guest programs.
Renter clubs that are preferred, Most major automobile rental businesses also have favored renter programs or clubs, such as the Hertz #1 Club. If you are a member of one of these clubs, you will get special treatment, including automatic upgrades when such vehicles become available. Even if you are a first-time renter with that business, you may join these programs at any time.
While basic-level club memberships are often free, higher-level memberships (such as the Hertz #1 Gold Club, which lets you to skip the rental counter) usually have a cost. Most individuals are unaware that it is often easy to avoid the membership charge by simply writing or contacting your vehicle rental business and requesting that it be waived. They will do so since the vehicle rental market is very competitive, and they want your business.
If you're still charged a high fee, try negotiating a reduction based on your membership in groups such as AARP, AAA, or others. These reductions are seldom substantial, but they are preferable than nothing.
Furthermore, if relevant to your circumstances, always look for corporate pricing.
Insurance for Car Rentals
Some of the Insurance phrases seem to be ambiguous; let us attempt to clarify them first.
Collision Damage Waiver is an abbreviation for Collision Damage Waiver.
LDW stands for Loss Damage Waiver.
PDW stands for Physical Damage Waiver.
PAI stands for Personal Accident Insurance.
PEC stands for Personal Effects Coverage.
ALI stands for Additional Liability Insurance.
Because many credit cards provide most of these benefits, it is not necessary to buy additional coverage. It's a good idea to double-check this with your travel agency, insurance agent, and credit card company ahead of time. Some car rental businesses may want evidence of insurance.
Also, keep in mind that your own insurance will most likely not cover your rental vehicle while going abroad. All of this is rather complex and at times perplexing since there are no industry terminology standards and regulations differ by area.
Things to check and do before departing from the airport
After a long trip and waiting in queues for your baggage and then for your keys at the car rental counter, it's natural that you simply want to get in your leased vehicle and go to your hotel, but wait! Here is a list of the first items you should check.
Begin by carefully inspecting the vehicle, looking for any tiny dents or scratches. If you discover any, don't be lazy; go back to the office and ask a representative of the rental business to write down all of these dents, and get a copy of that report. Otherwise, you may be held liable for losses that you did not cause.
Open the trunk and double-check that you have a spare tire, a jack, and a set of tools. Nothing is more aggravating than discovering in the middle of nowhere that you don't have a jack when you need to change a flat tire.
Many auto dealerships will give you an additional key if you ask for one. This may be useful for those of us who are easily distracted.
It is suggested that you spend some time familiarizing yourself with the car's features and controls. Make sure you know where the light switches are, how to use the windshield wipers, the air conditioner, and even set your favorite radio stations and side mirrors. It may be very irritating to struggle with the new switches while driving when it suddenly begins to rain.
Make sure you have a map and take a few extra minutes to prepare your driving route.
Last but not least, if you have a lot of luggage, don't park the car in the parking lot and go for lunch; in many countries, this is an easy target for thieves. Instead, buy some sandwiches and beverages at the airport, or stop somewhere along the way for refreshment, but never leave the car unattended.
In the event that you are involved in a car accident,
The following are the most essential pieces of information to get from the people involved: complete name, postal address, phone number, insurance information, and driver's license number.
Attempt to get the names and contact information of any witnesses to the accident. Take down the make, color, brand, and license plate number of the car.
Attempt to determine the precise time and location of the accident. If the police are called, make sure you obtain a copy of their report. Don't forget to contact your insurance agent as soon as possible, as well as the vehicle rental business.
They will inform you of their accident process.
If you bought insurance via the vehicle rental company, they will be responsible for processing the claim. If the rental vehicle is damaged, there will be a lot of paperwork to fill out.
Ascertain that all persons engaged are safe. Any injuries should be treated as soon as possible.
Call the cops and/or an ambulance (if required), and then contact the vehicle rental company. Be as helpful as possible. The vehicle rental company will have its own accident insurance.
Exchange information with the parties that are impacted. Try to capture everything that happens on the scene. Details about the collision, identification of the vehicles and individuals involved, and the names and badge numbers of all emergency workers should be included in your notes.
If at all feasible, take photographs. If you're on vacation, you'll most likely have a camera with you.
File an accident complaint with the police and notify your credit card or insurance company of the incident.
When returning the vehicle
Make all required preparations to return the vehicle on time, including checking the location on a map, particularly if you are returning the car in a foreign city.
Late return fees are expensive and arbitrary; furthermore, if you are late, you will most likely not have time to fill the vehicle with fuel yourself, and the rental company will charge you exorbitantly inflated gasoline prices.
If you return the vehicle at a city location on Sunday, the station may be empty; it will allow you in via an automated gate; take the card and put it on the dashboard; this is your recorded time of arrival.
Furthermore, lock the vehicle, take the keys and your rental contract, and place them in the appropriate box.