What To Consider Before Renting A Car?
Many people who go on vacation choose to travel by plane or train and rent a car at their destination. When holidays are enjoyed abroad, it is also a viable option.
But not just for fun. There are many who travel for work or business who also choose to rent a vehicle. Having absolute freedom of transport and movement is an advantage that you often do not want to do without.
There are also those who, even without going on a trip, may consider the possibility of renting a car. The reasons may be family visits or the luxury of driving a late-model car without having to buy it.
Basic considerations when renting a car
For whatever reason, there are a number of factors to consider before taking a rental car. The objective, in all cases, is to have a safe means of transport whose use does not entail unpleasant surprises.
With what type of companies to contract the service
Those who do not have experience in car rental tend to opt for large and recognized companies, with a broad international presence. This can have some advantages, such as having a fairly large network of offices. They are also companies whose fleet is almost always up to date.
On the other hand, for those looking to pick up the car in one city and return it in another, these types of companies are the most suitable. There are some companies that even allow you to return the car in a different country.
However, the services of this type of agency are usually more expensive than that of small establishments, located only in a few locations.
What kind of car is required, depending on the type of trip
The bigger and more luxurious the car that is taken for rent, the higher its price. Therefore, if it is a trip as a couple to an urban destination, perhaps only a small compact is required.
For vacations of a family of four or more members, it is necessary to rent a more spacious model. It is necessary to evaluate in the same way, the type of roads on which you are going to drive. If the journey will be in mountainous areas, a small manual transmission minivan may not be the best option.
Driver profile
Some car rental companies impose higher prices on drivers under 25 years of age. Even in extreme cases, some of these companies refuse to put any of their cars in the hands of people under this age.
Car rental contracts only authorize the person signing to get behind the wheel. If for some reason other people must also act as drivers, this is an additional fee.
When renting a car, you can have the option of taking it with a driver included . Although this option is more expensive, when traveling to places with a lot of nightlife it is an option to consider. In this way, it is not necessary to choose a “designated driver” who will not be able to drink liquor during the day.
Rent the car in advance
It is always advisable to book a car rental in advance. To do this, the vast majority of car rental companies are online. Waiting to get to the destination to rent a car is, today, a very bad idea.
What kinds of “additional” expenses are necessary
If you plan to take a low or mid-range car, it is important to evaluate what additional accessories are necessary. For example, to avoid getting lost in cities or unknown places, a GPS navigator is the best choice. If it is a family with young children, a baby chair can be another implement to consider.
Some of the cars offered for rent do not have air conditioning. If the destination is very hot, this is another factor that should be checked.
Is it necessary to take an insurance excess when renting a car?
Most auto rental contracts include fairly limited insurance. Many people, to avoid inconvenience or having to pay large additional amounts in the face of any setback, choose to purchase more comprehensive policies.
In all cases, all clauses should always be carefully reviewed to know exactly the scope of coverage.
