A car rental allows you total freedom in your new location when traveling. You can truly soak up even the most remote areas of a location with the flexibility of being able to drive there whenever you please. Car rentals are preferable to relying on public transport in an area you don’t know well or trying to rely on taxi cabs to get where you need to go.
However, car rentals can get pricey quickly if you aren’t paying attention to the terms and conditions of your car rental agreement. Every car rental company offers varying prices, terms and conditions, and insurance options, so it’s important to know what to look for. We will go over some of the biggest traps you can accidentally find yourself in when renting a car and how to avoid them.
Paying Extra for Insurance
Some car rental companies will not include insurance in the total price. This means the price you see for the car is not the true price you will pay in the end. Insurance is important to have; accidents happen and you don’t want to be held liable in a car that isn’t yours. You should look for a company that offers insurance included in the total rental price, so no surprise bills come up later.
Kilometre Limitations
Some car insurance companies will have a limit on the number of kilometres you can put on the car while you have it. You don’t want your adventurous spirit to be dampened by such limitations. Look for a company that offers car rentals with no kilometre limits!
Be Aware of Age Limitations
It would be disappointing to reserve a rental car just to find out you can’t drive it. This happens more than you may think! The minimum age requirement to rent a car in a majority of areas of Australia will be 25. Bring your license when you pick up the vehicle!
Fill Your Tank
When your car rental comes to an end, be sure to stop by the petrol station first. You may be in a rush to get the car back on time – but not returning the car with petrol can result in extra fees. Some companies will have you return the car with the amount of petrol that was in it when you picked it up. Others will ask that it comes back with a full tank. Be sure to ask your car rental company their expectations.
Be Detailed in the Initial Inspection
Before your take off in your new rental car, you and the agent who is helping you will do an inspection of the car’s current condition. It’s important to check all areas of the vehicle for damage, this includes the roof, bumpers, tires, and interior. Any damages you notice should be marked by the agent, but it’s also never a bad idea to take pictures of these damages for your records. You don’t want to be blamed for damage you didn’t cause!
Compare Pricing
It’s not wise to go with the first car rental company you see. Pricing can vary greatly from company to company, so don’t be afraid to shop around so you get the best deal possible!
Conclusion
A rental car grants you the freedom to truly enjoy the location you are in and the flexibility to do so on your own schedule. However, be diligent when picking a car rental company to rent from and in reviewing your rental’s terms and conditions. By being aware of what to look for, you can protect yourself and enjoy your car rental with no worries!
The post 6 Common Car Rental Traps and How to Avoid Them appeared first on Travel Experta - Travel, Lifestyle, Freedom.
------------------------------------------
By: Marina 'Travel Experta'
Title: 6 Common Car Rental Traps and How to Avoid Them
Sourced From: travelexperta.com/6-common-car-rental-traps-and-how-to-avoid-them/
Published Date: Wed, 19 Oct 2022 14:44:30 +0000
Did you miss our previous article...
https://consumernewsnetwork.com/travel-news/el-paredon-guatemala-so-much-more-than-a-sleepy-beach-town