subject: Car Rentals: 4 Points to Consider [print this page] Car Rentals: 4 Points to Consider Car Rentals: 4 Points to Consider
Are you going on vacation, or is your car going to be out of commission while you have some major work done? Many people don't think anything of it before going out to rent a car; however, there are certain things about car rentals that you should think about before reserving a car. Here are four of some of the most important points to consider when making a decision.
What will the total price be? Many people don't realize how many fees are tacked onto your bill after the price of the car per day. If you are comparison shopping before selecting a rental service, be sure to ask about the total price after all of the fees have been included. This will give you a more complete picture of how much your rental will cost. Do you need to purchase insurance? Before you leave on vacation or rent a car to help get you around while your vehicle is in the shop, be sure to have a discussion with your insurance agent. Ask what will be covered on the rental car and whether your normal deductible will apply.
Also be sure to talk to the rental car company about what their insurance covers. If you don't want to have to pay your deductible on your regular insurance, or have any claims on the rental car affect your rates, you may find it's worthwhile to pay for the rental car company's insurance.
How big a vehicle do you need? Perhaps a better question to ask is what do you need the rental car for? If you are going for a road trip, for instance, it might not make sense to only look at the smallest, cheapest car rentals. Small cars can start feeling pretty cramped on a long drive, especially for any backseat passengers! If you are renting a car for a road trip, therefore, it makes sense to pay a little more in order to upgrade to a larger, more comfortable vehicle.
On the other hand, if you just flew into town for a weekend business event, and you will be doing a lot of downtown driving and parking, a smaller, more compact car makes sense. Not only will it save you money, but it will also be easier to maneuver and park downtown.
Finally, consider how many passengers you will have in your rental car. If it's just you on a business trip, you probably don't have to worry about the size and comfort level in the backseat. But if the whole family is going on vacation, a car with a large backseat and trunk space, or maybe even an SUV or a minivan, might be in order.
Did you read the small print? Don't forget to check all the details of your agreement with the rental company. Did you agree to bring the car back with the gas tank at a certain level? An inflated fuel charge is one of the ways rental car companies add on extra fees. Do you need to pay for mileage? Some car rentals charge you an additional amount if you put more than a certain, reasonable mileage on it per day.
Also, can you smoke, or use cigarette lighters to charge electronic devices such as cell phones? Sometimes the cigarette lighters in rental cars have been disabled so that you cannot use them. Make sure you check the fine print for small details like these, so that you don't agree to anything without knowing what it is.
Shopping for car rentals is pretty easy with the Internet these days, but luckily that also makes it easier to compare prices, browse insurance policies, see what size vehicles are available, and read agreements and contracts at your leisure. Make sure that you keep all of these things in mind when choosing your rental car!
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