What do you need to know about renting a car?

Article by D.K.

Car-rental industry has been rapidly growing and this time these changes are for better.The biggest U.S. car-rental company Enterprise just purchased National and Alamo and their online tools allow drivers to find best deals. At the same drivers are still facing rising taxes, hidden fees, and strict fuel policies so here is few tips on how to get good deal on car-rentals before your next trip.

1.Go opaque for big discounts

Booking through opaque travel site like hotwire.com or priceline.com-where you pay upfront without knowing exact car-rental company you are booking with-can ensure you big discounts. If you prefer not to use opaque site don?t go around from one company website to another but use an aggregator. Sites like kayak.com or sidestep.com will directly take to the rental agency?s website once you are ready to book.

2.Avoid renting at the airport

Most of the airport location is required by law to add local and state surcharges. It is estimated that renting a car at the airport can cost you 25%-45% more than if you rented a car in city center. Also rent locally when you are traveling abroad. Web sites like Autoeurope.com will offer you better deals because they specialize in foreign car renting.Check for international based websites like Hertz and compare rates with U.S. based sites.

3.Restrictions

Check insurance coverage and age requirements when renting abroad. Some credit cards don?t cover the insurance in selected countries and some countries impose restrictions on older drivers. Also some options common in U.S.A. are not available abroad (Like unlimited mileage).

4.Opt for a smaller car.

Do you really need a larger car? If not, go compact. Here’s a little secret: Rental car companies often run out of economy models because they’re the most popular, so you’ll often be steered toward an upgrade in the hopes that you’ll cave in and pay for it. Just say no. You stand to get the upgrade anyway for the economy price.

5.Be on time.

If you return your car late, the rental agency may charge you as much as a full day’s rental. If you are going to be late, call the agency and explain your situation. It may help.

About the Author

Planing to visit Europe and renting a car? For Cheap Car Rentals in Europe visit AirTicketsForCheap.net.

Related Rent A Car Articles

Auto Insurance While Renting a Car

Article by Vince Butler

People are often caught in the crossfire about the fact that whether they need an insurance while they are renting a car. The existing auto insurance that one possesses can dissolve the confusion in our minds. Every insurance company offers a lot of extra offers on every policy and mostly rental car insurance gets covered in them. With collision, liability and comprehensive coverage on one?s auto insurance policy, a person can drive his rental cars in the areas of United States of America and Canada while the existing coverage automatically gets transferred to the rented car.

There are certain car renting companies which requires its customers to have extra insurance coverage which is not included in the existing auto insurance policy, then the customer requires to buy insurance coverage which is provided by the car renting company. Drivers often opt for insurance offered by the car renting company so that they can increase limit of insurance for a rented automobile. It is imperative to get acquainted with the rules and regulations of the car renting company. During a collision of a rented car, generally the insurance companies pays for the collisions and comprehensive claims which are made after the car is valued and a specific amount of money is fixed for it. The amount given by the insurer depends heavily on the mileage and age of the vehicle. The replacement cost is not borne by the insurer and some car rental companies charges an additional amount if the car is wrecked by the driver. Some companies also may charge extra amount as the resale value gets deteriorated after the wreckage of the vehicle and even the losses faced by the car rental company while the vehicle is being repaired or replaced have to be borne by the driver.

It would be a smart move to know about the charges that would be levied on the drivers in case of any mishap. It is considered ideal to buy insurance coverage from the car rental company if your existing auto insurance policies do cover damages for the rented car. Certain auto insurance companies do not segregate between rented and own cars, so same treatment and privileges are valid on the rented car as well. The driver should always ensure from both the insurance and car Rental Company that the required insurance coverage is included in the policies possessed by him.

Basically the auto insurance policies of United States of America are valid both in the America and Canada. When a person plans to travel beyond these two places then he should enquire the requirements of insurance coverage from the car rental company. Even the insurance requirement specific to the country to where one plans to travel should be noted for ensuring that the driver is covered, even when he is beyond the bounds of United States of America or Canada.

Visit Belair Direct Auto to learn more about auto insurance for rental cars.

About the Author

Vince Butler tirelessly writes articles on auto insurance.

More Rent A Car Articles

7 Points to Remember While Renting a Car

Article by Linda

Renting a car is sometimes a tedious task, but with the following points in mind, it can be great deal for all:Points to Remember While Hiring a Car:

1. The first thing is to select the best car rental agency. Always rent a car from trusted and tested agency. It is better to shortlist 3-4 agencies either from the internet or local directory or shopping guide. The car rental agency should be within your reach and has good market reputation. It is also advisable to call each and every selected agency to know about their office locations, availability of cars and their possible alliance with hotels and airlines. First determine your needs and then select the rental agency to best suit your requirements.

2. Now when the initial investigations are over, its time to select the car to hire. Some agencies offer small, compact and mid-sized cars that are suitable for 3-4 passengers. But in case you are going for long journey or family vacations, the big cars like sedans or SUV’s are quite comfortable.

3. Once the agencies are shortlisted, and car is selected it is required to know the possibility to rent a car for your choice of destination. Some agencies charge extra for certain picks up and drop off destinations. Therefore, knowing the company policies in advance may be of great help.

4. Various special deals are also offered by the car rental companies if you choose to book or rent a car personally. Also car-damage policies and even gas-filling terms of the company vary from one agency to another, hence while signing the contract, make sure to know all such things.

5. It is always better to rent a car with 24-hour on road assistance, as offered by several big rental companies. This facility ensures the assistance while breakdown in between the journey. Even it safeguards during night travel. Rent a car with the agency’s driver is always a better option, as the driver is well-versed in driving the car to far-off locations and on highways. But it is advisable to check the driver’s license and other necessary documents before going on the journey.

6. While going forward to rent a car, always discuss with your own car insurance agent, as many car rental agencies offer car insurance that may be covered in your own car insurance. Instead of paying the unnecessary charges, make sure to know about it in advance. In case, the insurance is not covered in your plan, then don’t hesitate to pay an extra cost to avoid last minute rush.7. Once your journey is over and it is time to return back the car, it is good to return within the set time limit. Many companies allow 1 hour up than the contract time limit, but to avoid any extra charges, be back in time.

8. While receiving the final receipt or bill, check the amount matches with your signed contract to rent a car.

9.Always make payment with major credit cards in order to avoid any payment restrictions. Some agencies do not accept debit cards and even cash payments may also cost higher.

Rent a car can be easier with some pre-planning and thorough research.

About the Author

Hertz.com is one of the best Car Rentals agency with low cost rental packages for locations throughout USA. New Year Rental offer avail on Car Rental La. Click here for latest car rental deal.

More Rent A Car Articles

Some Guidelines Renting a Car Service in Dublin!

Article by Frank Cahill

Dublin is an oldest city in Ireland, surely it makes many art lovers to visit the ancient city and if you are first time visitors than you must need a better car hire service in Dublin. In my previous article I have covered the details about major car rentals service providers in the Dublin city centre. Most of us may not be aware of some important things to be considered while renting a car or signing the agreement. In this article I tried to cover some major points to keep in mind while dealing for car hire service.

Don’t forget the legal documents!

If you are planning to hire car in Dublin than for that you should also carry your legal documents to get you a permission of driving.

– Car rental voucher [if you have]- Valid international driving licence.- Passport [for tourists of other countries]- Credit card of your own

Check out all the below mentioned points before renting a car!

– Find the best car rental and get correct quote for any car hire service provider. You can search online to get the quote but most of online car rental quotes cover just basic rental and insurance they don’t include tax, fees and extra insurance cost. To get better quotes you can go to your airline’s online site as they generally have partnership with many car rental companies.

– Just go for car with automatic transmission. You may have option of automatic or manual gearbox as almost all car hire companies may have huge range in manual but very limited cars available in automatic gearbox so if you like to book car with automatic transmission than just book it as early as possible.

– Verify terms and conditions of credit card with credit card company as mostly may not cover the car rental insurance and most of us may not aware about that so before book car rental kindly do get confirmation from credit card company, if possible get written confirmation so that later on you don’t get trouble regarding payment.

– Do get clear about insurance. Yes, this is crucial for anyone to get all the details from car Rental Company about CDW / theft protection insurance. You must opt for CDW and theft protection insurance as well as third party liability insurance. You may have to pay little more but it is for your safety. If you refuse to pay for CDW Car Rental Company may ask you to pay huge amount of security deposit which you can get if you deliver the car in proper condition.

– You may get car with full tank from some car rental company but they when you return the car back to rental company you have to give the car with full tank or they may charge for the fuel from you and may charge higher compare to the charge you pay for fuel yourself.

– Age can be issue for you sometime if you are below 19 to 24 and for some big cars they have set minimum age of 25 so think about it as well.

– Sign the agreement with the car rental company before taking car and read the terms and conditions as well as insurance coverage carefully. Ask one copy of agreement for you also.

– Before taking car with you, just check the in and out of car perfectly and carefully. Check the car for and damage, scratches or dent and if you found any just make sure its mentioned there in contract and if not then ask the car rental representative to make a note in contract and due to any reason in rain if you are not able to see anything clearly than also make note in contract about it.

– Check all the lights and engine work properly as well as when returning it don’t left the car alone, just wait for representative to come and check it.

– Try to read the rules of the road before you start driving car.

– Try to know the hidden charges that you may charged from Car Rental Company. Just take note about it: Local Tax, Airport Fee, Vehicle licensing fee, Border Crossing fee etc. Which are not clear at the time of interaction so may be some tourists may feel cheated by Car Rental Company. So just make clear about all this before hiring car.

Some other points to list out:

GPS Navigation System in car

Try to pay in local currency.

Take photos of car.

Ask contract copy in English.

So, these are few guidelines for you to note down while renting car in Dublin.

Copyright © 2012

About the Author

Dublinevents provides all information about Car Rentals Dublin and Car Hire Dublin. You will find low cost Airport Car Hire all over Ireland. You can easily book your car online or get an instant quote.

Just joined twitter, be the first to follow me @SaturdayFunday1 twitter.com

Related Rent A Car Articles

Renting a Car in South Africa

Article by First Car Rental

Where simplicity and world-class luxury meet, South Africa exists as a growing hub for both business and pleasure, for any and all wanting to visit.

First Car Rental offers choice in all aspects of travel in South Africa; from personal South African car hire, to chauffeur-driven services, we make sure transport is not an issue as you explore our beautiful country.

As in Europe, however, rules and regulations exist and need to be taken in to account when renting a car in South Africa. First Car Rental’s simplified guide to car rental requirements South Africa provides clarity in this process.

South African Car Hire – Visa Requirements

The first step to quick and easy transport solutions when you arrive is a valid travel visa. Without one, we cannot process your rental request. Visa requirements vary depending on criteria that need to be met by individuals. Simply put, though, a valid visa is crucial if you need to hire a car in South Africa.

South African Car Hire – Foreign Driving Licences

To make all parts of your journey legal, First Car Rental recommends that before travelling, all drivers obtain an international driver’s licence. This means that legal requirements are met and will go the distance in ensuring requests can be processed quickly, and with minimal paperwork or identity issues, when you arrive.

South African Car Hire – Rental Payment and Deposits

Common practice when hiring a car in Europe is to have an imprint of your credit card taken, and the rental amount charged on return of the vehicle. No deposit is implemented at any time during the rental agreement.

In South Africa, however, procedure differs slightly.

When collecting your vehicle, both the deposit amount and the daily hire amount for the rental are ‘held’ by your credit card issuer or bank. This is to ensure that the amount is always available to you during your rental period, and that, should an accident occur, that deposit amount is accessible.

On return of the vehicle, the daily hire amount is put through and your deposit amount is released back to you.*

*Note: The deposit amount is not removed from your account; it is blocked, and then released by the credit card issuer – not First Car Rental – on return of the vehicle. This releasing of funds can, however, take up to 48 hours.

South African Car Hire – Renting a Vehicle

Our renting procedure is quick and simple.

Request a booking or quote today by simply filling out the applicable online form. Your transport can be ready and waiting as you arrive.

First Car Rental makes renting a car in South Africa a pleasure, and whether for individual, chauffeur or larger party needs, we make you mobile as you set out to explore the wonders South Africa has on offer.

About the Author

First Car Rental has more than 6 000 vehicles in use in South Africa and has over 44 car rental branches, including branches at all major South African airports, business and tourist destinations.

Traveling In Europe In Style Renting A Car

Article by Mihnea Andrei

For decades, the best way was to travel by train or in some cases by bus, but thanks to a relatively unified economy and countries without borders, renting a car is starting to become a viable option. In fact, if you are traveling in a group, renting a car instead of getting a rail pass may turn out much less expensive if everyone chips in. Not only can it be a bit cheaper, renting a car can also open up the opportunity for you to do much more sightseeing and touring.

While public transport in Europe is fantastic, once you leave the major cities, you can find it rather difficult to get around at will. Not only that, but you can kiss the freedom of exploring the countryside and traveling when and where you want to go good-bye. As rental prices are about the same if not a tad bit more than in the US, the freedom a car brings to your European holiday can give you an entirely different perspective on your trip and your experience. However, there are a few things to consider before signing on the dotted line and getting behind the wheel once you arrive for your European holiday.

First, taxes are incredible and so is the price of insurance. Many Americans, shocked enough when they see those extra fees in their own country, but when they visit Europe, their eyes can easily pop out of their heads. Fees and taxes vary from country to country, but you can expect to pay more in insurance and fees than you will for the real rental itself. Another thing to remember is that many cars in Europe are manual transmissions, and automatic generally cost more. Also, you may or may not need to get an international driving license or IDP before you leave on your vacation as well, depending on who you talk to and what countries you visit.

Don’t let these things scare you from renting a car when you are planning your next trip to Europe, but just keep in mind that it is not cheap. However, it is worth it, especially if you want to see Europe the real way and expand your trip beyond the popular and typical tourist hot spots. The country you visit, the time of year you arrive and the length of your rental will all give you the price you pay in addition to your age. The best way to look at rental car services is not by wondering how much money you can save, rather if you would rather spend that money on getting train passes for the family or group or would prefer to drive. Driving is by far the more advantageous route to take if you are willing to cough up the cash, and making arrangements before you leave can help to orient yourself better.

About the Author

Mihnea has more more than 10 years of experience in giving advice to thousands of customers on choosing the best masini de inchiriat companies in Romania.

Related Rent A Car Articles

Why renting a car when going in a trip

Article by Jorge Jimenez

Probably the most profitable and fast developing business in the travel area of activity of the last decade is car renting. And it comes to no surprise given its usefulness, simplicity and the numerous advantages for both sides. More and more people require the services of car rental companies because it’s quite easy to see that it is the best alternative when it comes to long-distance transportation; it’s cheap, easy, secure, reliable and offers you increased comfort while traveling. If you are new to the matter and still have any doubts regarding the issue then you should read on. Car rental has many advantages over classical forms of transport like a bus or a cab. Long-distance traveling can be tiring when you go by bus and very expensive if you choose a cab. Renting a car, however, saves you energy and money, preserving them for you to use on truly important activities. You will also save up a lot of time because you can choose whatever path or course to follow, which is not the case with other types of transportation, where the route is established beforehand and can no know changes. Superior comfort is another issue that puts car renting above other traveling options. Whereas with buses or trains you get to sit in rigid, uncomfortable seats, in a car you can fully enjoy your trip. Also an important aspect is that, by car, you can make a stop wherever and whenever you want, giving you the option of spending a night at a motel or stop for lunch at a restaurant. Imagine having to sleep while traveling with a bus or train. You would wake up tired and wouldn’t be able to concentrate on the matters at your concern or enjoying every minute of your journey. So choosing to rent a car is the most convenient alternative to old fashioned means of transport, and you don’t need to think twice about it. The only aspect that needs to be given a lot of thought is picking the right company when you want to rent a car. Therefore, you need to keep in mind that not all firms out there offer the same conditions and at the same prices, making your picking a quite difficult task. However, it doesn’t have to be hard to find the one that can offer you the services you need. For this you have to study your options, check various companies and the services they can provide. Also, the rates you’ll be charged for is another important criterion and should not be left aside. You may as well want to look up aspects as background or market standings, which could give you a clearer idea over a certain company. In conclusion, whenever you need to travel medium and long distances all you need to do to make sure you get the best out of your trip is to pick up the phone and call to rent a car. Then strap that seatbelt and enjoy the best voyage you’ve ever had.

Summary: Car rental is a successful, fast pace developing business due tot the fact that it’s simple, cheap and reliable as well as fast and secure in comparison to other similar means of transport. Companies try to offer increasingly better and complete services and their efforts are rewarded in the high number of customers they manage to please.

About the Author

Jorge Jimenez is founder of www.smart-rent-a-car.com , a site dedicated to car hire in Aruba and where you can get more information on their services, prices and the range of vehicles available.

Benefits of Renting a Car in Costa Rica

Article by Groshan Fabiola

Costa Rica is a very popular tourist destination, drawing large numbers of visitors each year to its breathtaking landscapes, and numerous world-renowned points of interest. With a wide-spreading picturesque coastline and a massive forested wild terrain, driving around Costa Rica is definitely a unique and memorable experience. Whether you are accommodated at one of the country’s luxury resorts or exploring Costa Rica one piece at a time on an eco-tour, having access to your own vehicle during your trip can be very handy and convenient.

The good news is that there are numerous Costa Rica car hire agencies available these days, most of them offering both luxury cars and low-budget vehicles. With so many different activities to choose from and so many interesting places to see during your stay, it would really be a pity to miss some of the country’s main attractions. That said, to get the most out of your Costa Rica vacation, consider hiring the services of a trustworthy local car rental dealer.

Under most circumstances, you can hire your rental vehicle in advance when making bookings for your flights and accommodation, or when looking for good all-inclusive Costa Rica deals on the Internet. Making timely car rental reservations online is highly advisable if you want to simplify things and eliminate the need to look for Costa Rica car hire options immediately upon arrival. However, if you don’t want a vehicle right away, there is always the possibility to rent a car on location when the need arises.

With numerous reputable offline dealers to go around, renting a car in Costa Rica is easy. If you take the time to find the best rent a car Costa Rica companies, you will have access to great rates on economy vehicles, SUVs and family sedans, and thus be able to combine convenience with speed and comfort.

Since the road infrastructure in Costa Rican rural areas can be poor and marginal access ways can get bumpy, it may be better to opt for the sturdiness of a four-wheel-drive SUV. Doing so also allows you to take on challenging terrains such as alpine and forested regions, which would otherwise be inaccessible by regular automobiles. If you are traveling in remote and secluded areas across the country, consider renting a vehicle equipped with safety and emergency implements.

Make sure you take proper safety measures during your stay in Costa Rica. Travel experts recommend leaving most of your valuables locked in your hotel room safe, and to carry around with you only the strictly necessary things.

Another important aspect to account for is the confusing character of road signs, address names, and street numbering system in many Costa Rican regions. Due to this, before renting a car in Costa Rica and taking to the road, spend some time planning suitable and safe routes for reaching your desired destinations. You can either buy a map or ask for detailed route instructions from your hotel’s reception service.

Costa Rica’s magnificent beaches and vast rain forests offer the perfect scenario for both a wild adventure and intense relaxation. To get the most out of your vacation here and be able to check out everything the country has to offer, consider turning to the services of a reputable rent a car Costa Rica agency so that you can explore the country’s beauty thoroughly, conveniently, and at your own pace.

About the Author

For more resources about how to rent a car Costa Rica or about Costa Rica car hire or even about renting a car in Costa Rica, please review these links.

Renting A Car in Denver

Article by Caroline Forbes

Denver, a town in Colorado, United States is well-known as The Mile-High City because of its location that is 5,280 feet above the sea level. This makes it a wonderful location for outdoor sporting events. The city has a normal metropolitan lifestyle along with having commercial buildings, stores and various night clubs. Also, city is ranked the tenth largest business city in America.

The city has many things to offer to tourists as well including the world s second largest performing arts centre and several other attractions. Although, the city is connected throughout the areas and to other important cities in America, one should have his/her own vehicle to travel to different locations in the city. Having a own proper means of transport makes it more convenient. If you are a visitor, renting a car can help you explore the different areas of the town in an easier and convenient way. It can provide you more freedom and flexibility while travelling.

However, there are few key points that must be taken care for Denver Car rentals. Firstly, you should carefully decide which vehicle you need. Whether it is a large sedan or SUV for the whole family or a smaller vehicle which is more economical. Next, if you are below the age of 25, there can be some extra bucks you need to shed out. you also need a valid driving license along with the deposit or credit card. Also, you should not forget to leave the car with the same quantity of fuel as was there initially to avoid any extra charges.

The reservation for Denver car rental can be made in many ways , the best of which happens to be online where you can find different car rental agencies and do a comprehensive research. The prominent agencies providing the car rental services are Hertz, Rent-A-Car, and Enterprise. Based upon the listing of various car agencies, you can decide which one to opt for based on the rent charges and facilities offered. Don t forget to consider the essential factors like the size and make of the car, rates applicable, time of renting out the car, cancellation charges. Its best to rent the car from one of the agencies nearest to the place you live.

As a cautionary measure, don’t disregard any of the information in the contract while completing the documentation. The best way for visitors to travel in Denver is no doubt to take advantage of Denver car rental.

About the Author

The basic principles of a Denver car rental agency, or any other car rental for that matter is to rent you a car on a temporary basis. There are many reasons why people might rent a car, maybe you are flying into Denver, but need to be able to drive around town.

Tips on Renting a Car

Article by Jasmine Sanchez

Tips on Renting a Car

Car rentals are commonly required by people who need to commute between two places and do not have a vehicle available. There are different things you should consider when renting a car.

Car rentals are preferred by people who have to commute between long distances due to a certain situation and are unable to do so due to the unavailability of their personal car. Renting a car is also common practice of businessmen who travel to different cities to attend different meetings. They simply sign up for the car rental online before traveling and upon reaching their destination are able to use the car as needed.

The first thing you need to consider is the time of rental required. Usually people rent cars for a short span of time. This saves them the cost of rental. However, if you plan on renting a car for a longer time period, you should plan out how many days you need the car for. If you simply need the car for two weeks, signing up for an entire month will only lead you to pay extra money for no reason.

The car rental price is another issue that needs consideration. It is recommended that you book your car well in advance. This will fetch you a good price on the rent. However, you can also talk to different car rental agencies regarding their rates. You will always find a car rental agency that is willing to offer you a rental price. You will also need to present the car agency with a copy of your driver’s license as well as fill out the necessary documentation.

You should always consider renting a car that is backed up by insurance. The main reason for this is that in case of an accident, you will not be required to pay anything. Although renting an insured car may be more expensive than an uninsured one, the cost you would have to incur in case of a misfortune will not be there.

About the Author

Check out my other blogs at Makeup for Black Women where you will find the latest information on Makeup Tips for Black Women

I’m a full time student and live with my family. I’ve always been fascinated with the makeup and beauty industry. I love to do research on a number of topics, beauty and makeup being my favorite.