Advice for Picking a First Rate Rental Car Agency

By Anthony Ostegaard

Whey you have decided which type of car you would like to rent, you should be able to locate quite a few different rental agencies that could possible help you out. To pick the best one you first need to know what their rates are and what they have to offer. Planning ahead and booking early will save you money.

A lot of people use rental agencies to find a car for travel accommodation. Long distance travel often requires the use of a rental car rather than your own vehicle to make the trip easier.

You need to be insured when driving a rental car, the same as you need insurance when driving your car. In many cases, you can purchase insurance from the car rental agency. But, your own insurance may cover rentals. On the other hand, depending on what kind of insurance you have, it may not cover all types of car rentals, so this is something you should look into before renting a car. If your insurance provides sufficient coverage, than you can save by not purchasing additional insurance.

It's always a good idea to understand all the terms before you sign any kind of agreement, and this is particularly true with car rentals. Terms and conditions of rental agreements vary greatly from one car rental agency to the next. Some agencies factor fuel costs into your agreement but others leave that as your responsibility. You may also need to pay fees such as taxes and insurance as these aren't usually included in the advertised price. To make sure you don't pay for services you don't need, be prepared to ask questions.

The day of the week and the number of days you need to rent will impact the rates you will pay. You will save more by renting for a full week than it will cost you for a few days rental. For instance, if you need the car for five days it could be less expensive to pay the weekly rate than the daily rate.

There are more extra options available for drivers to choose from when renting a car. But be careful, as these added conveniences can mean paying for services you don't need. If you are traveling with a child, car rentals offer child seats for a charge. You can avoid the extra fees by bringing your own. GPS systems are another common option offered with rental cars. If you are traveling in a place you aren't familiar with, you may want this, but if you know your way around you may not need it. Other options include ski racks and DVD players. You can save money by refusing features that you won't use but that doesn't mean you should enjoy features that you will use.

One of the most popular places to rent cars is at the airport but they are one of the worst from a consumer's standpoint. For the convenience of stepping off the plane and into a rental car, you will pay extra taxes and fees. This means that you end up paying more than if you had gone to a neighborhood car rental agency. You will be better off, in most cases, to take either a taxi or the airport shuttle to a rental agency outside the airport. By planning out this part of your trip in advance, it will be easier to do. Airport car rentals count on people not planning this part of the trip ahead of time.

If you have need of rental cars regularly there are clubs you can join for bigger discounts in exchange for an annual fee. There are many of these travel clubs that can offer you discounts on other travel accommodations too. With these clubs you can earn miles to get free rentals or even free airfare. For this reason alone these are a great idea even with an annual fee. Free rentals and other benefits are a great way to help you save money.

Renting a car can add convenience to your trip if you take the time to plan ahead and check into the details. While most car rental companies are not dishonest, they are out to make money, not necessarily to help you save. You will need to take time to do some research before you sign any rental agreements. The preceding guidelines can be useful when you rent a car, especially if you don't want to pay any more than you have to.

To make the most out of the many car rental options, the key is to find a rental agency that is convenient and reasonable. A little time and research can help you find one that meets your needs.

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Be sure to inspect your car insurance plan to find out just what exactly is protected when you book a motor vehicle. Some car insurance policies might handle rental cars, so there is no need to sign up for the leasing agency's car insurance program.