4 Things You Need To Know Before Renting A Car

Last Updated: 

June 12, 2024

It's practical and more convenient to rent a car if you frequently queue for public transport services and don't have a vehicle. In addition to letting you choose a vehicle based on your unique demands, renting a car also allows you to select one that gets much better gas mileage than your own vehicle. But before you rent a car, there are several things to consider, especially if it's your first time. There are legal considerations as well when it comes to renting a car. Here are a few things you should know before renting a car.

Key Takeaways on Renting a Car:

  1. Do Some Research and Make Comparisons: Before you rent a car, research various rental agencies and compare their offerings. This includes comparing the size of the car you'll need and the prices offered by different companies. It's also noted that renting a car at an airport might be more expensive due to additional fees. The author advises comparing at least four service providers and looking for coupon codes online. Adjusting pick-up and drop-off times and locations might also save you some money.
  2. Get Insurance with Full Protection: Never rent an uninsured vehicle. Insurance is critical for your safety and financial protection. Determine whether your auto insurance policy includes rental car coverage or if your credit card issuer provides it. You can also purchase additional insurance. It's also important to confirm that the car provided by the rental agency is insured.
  3. Book the Vehicle Early: Reserving a car in advance can sometimes be cheaper and allows the rental company to prepare the vehicle for you. The author advises against booking when demand and prices are highest. For instance, for a summer vacation, it might be advisable to book a rental car up to six months in advance.
  4. Check the Rental Agreement and Inspect the Car: On the pick-up day, verify the details in the rental agreement, particularly the pricing. If you made a payment online, you might need to present reservation documentation. If not, you can make a payment at the rental agency. The author also advises performing a thorough inspection of the vehicle before driving it off the lot. If there are any scratches or issues, take pictures or videos as proof, which can be used later if the company tries to hold you accountable for damages you didn't cause.
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1. Do Some Research and Make Comparisons

Reserch Car Rental Companies
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Wherever you intend to use the vehicle, search for rental agencies, and you can do your research online. For instance, decide what size car you'll need depending on how many people will be travelling along with you. A small car could accommodate one to two people. But a family of six might require a full-sized vehicle. You also need to consider the type of vehicle that you will rent. If you wish to go on a road trip in Iceland, you'll need a 4x4 car rental in Iceland because the roads are snowy and icy.

You could make a decision based on the results of your research. Also, costs for renting a car can vary depending on the company and the location. For instance, renting a car at an airport is typically more expensive and subject to additional fees. A cheaper choice would be to make a direct reservation with the rental provider or through a broker. Try to ask about prices and compare at least four service suppliers. You could also find coupon codes by conducting an online search. Try experimenting with pick-up and drop-off times and locations. You can occasionally save some money by making a tiny adjustment.

2. Get insurance with full protection

You should never use an uninsured vehicle for safety and financial reasons. So pay attention to insurance while estimating costs. One key issue concerning a rental agreement is who is liable for repair costs if the car is involved in an accident. And this can be expensive. So it is advisable to determine whether rental car coverage is a part of your auto insurance policy. Make sure your credit card issuer supports rental cars if you intend to pay with one. A second option is to purchase more insurance. Additionally, confirm that the vehicle the rental agency gave you is initially insured. Some car rental companies like hirefleet have insurance on every vehicle they rent. 

For your personal belongings, Goodcover offers personal property insurance that covers damage or loss during your rental period. Always verify that the rental agency's insurance covers property damage and bodily injury to avoid unexpected liabilities.

3. Book the vehicle early

When hiring a car, it's crucial to reserve or book early. Businesses typically offer online vehicle reservations. Make a decision regarding the pick-up and drop-off locations for the vehicle. Make sure to also specify the pick-up and drop-off dates. Booking a car in advance by a few weeks can occasionally be cheaper. And the business has extra time to get the vehicle ready. It is not advisable to book when demand and costs are at their highest. For example, some experts recommend booking a rental vehicle for your summer vacation as much as six months ahead of time.

4. Check the rental agreement and inspect the car

Check the Car Rental Agreement
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Visit the designated location on the pick-up day to verify the rental agreement details, notably the pricing, and ensure they are accurate. You might need to present reservation documentation if you made your payment online. Otherwise, you can make a payment at the rental agency. Aside from this, conducting a comprehensive vehicle inspection is a wise idea before driving off the auto lot. Perform a comprehensive inspection of the vehicle before agreeing to a rental agreement. Take pictures and videos if you spot any scratches. If the business tries to hold you liable for losses you didn't cause, these can be used as proof.

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