Hiring a Rental Car
Rajni Sheth
January 23, 2008
When planning a vacation or even a business trip, an important criterion to consider is renting a car during your stay as it makes for easy traveling. Getting a rental car does not have to be a strenuous task. Some of the best sources to rent cars are travel agencies which have tie-ups with hotels, newspapers, yellow pages and car rental agencies which offer special rates. Here are a few tips to help you capture the best deal possible.
The first thing you need to decide is how much you´re willing to shell out for the car. By looking out for ´special deals´ offered by rental agencies, you most probably will have the option of fixing your own price and getting the car you want. Choose a car depending on how many people will be accompanying you on your journey. Remember there are many rental agencies, so shop around and do a thorough research so you don´t feel that you spent more than necessary.
Most rental agencies will offer you car insurance for renting a car. What people don´t know is it´s optional. If you own a car, check with your car insurance company if they cover rental cars. If they don´t, it´s safer to get that extra insurance. A few credit card companies also offer auto insurance; it would be wise to give them a call. The price that you pay for a rented car would include rental and taxes, insurance is an additional charge.
Earlier car companies would only accept credit cards as payment. Now, even though companies still need details of a major credit card from you, you can still make arrangements to pay another way. Also check if they need to have instant credit approval as it may lower your credit line with the card company. Enquire with the auto company the options you have with debit card payments or even a pre-paid voucher. To be on the safe side when traveling abroad, opt for a GPS unit. Available with rental agencies, they can be placed in the car and can be you´re guide throughout your stay without getting you lost and tangled up in maps. With voice prompts, languages to choose from, you´re journey can be much more relaxing.
Check with the rental company if they intend on sending the car to pick you up or if someone will come and collect you. Another important factor is age. Most rental companies need the driver to be at least 25 years old. Check the fluids in the car as most car companies rarely change them. Once you get the car, in front of the representative thoroughly check the car for any pre-existing damage so that you aren´t held liable later on.
Run a test drive to see if the brakes, heat/AC, headlights, windshield wiper, rear view and side view mirrors and other functions of the car are in working condition. When traveling, especially with small children in tow, it´s advisable to carry your own car seat as most auto rentals don´t offer them. If they did have them, it would cost you as much as purchasing a new car seat. Always rent a car in advance especially in lean periods as the rental company will offer you a cheaper deal. If you know how many miles you´re looking at covering on your trip, go for the limited mileage offer. Otherwise it is better to pay a little extra and go for the unlimited miles than get charged a bomb for going over the limited miles.
More resources for car rental Mumbai and car audio music systems.
The first thing you need to decide is how much you´re willing to shell out for the car. By looking out for ´special deals´ offered by rental agencies, you most probably will have the option of fixing your own price and getting the car you want. Choose a car depending on how many people will be accompanying you on your journey. Remember there are many rental agencies, so shop around and do a thorough research so you don´t feel that you spent more than necessary.
Most rental agencies will offer you car insurance for renting a car. What people don´t know is it´s optional. If you own a car, check with your car insurance company if they cover rental cars. If they don´t, it´s safer to get that extra insurance. A few credit card companies also offer auto insurance; it would be wise to give them a call. The price that you pay for a rented car would include rental and taxes, insurance is an additional charge.
Earlier car companies would only accept credit cards as payment. Now, even though companies still need details of a major credit card from you, you can still make arrangements to pay another way. Also check if they need to have instant credit approval as it may lower your credit line with the card company. Enquire with the auto company the options you have with debit card payments or even a pre-paid voucher. To be on the safe side when traveling abroad, opt for a GPS unit. Available with rental agencies, they can be placed in the car and can be you´re guide throughout your stay without getting you lost and tangled up in maps. With voice prompts, languages to choose from, you´re journey can be much more relaxing.
Check with the rental company if they intend on sending the car to pick you up or if someone will come and collect you. Another important factor is age. Most rental companies need the driver to be at least 25 years old. Check the fluids in the car as most car companies rarely change them. Once you get the car, in front of the representative thoroughly check the car for any pre-existing damage so that you aren´t held liable later on.
Run a test drive to see if the brakes, heat/AC, headlights, windshield wiper, rear view and side view mirrors and other functions of the car are in working condition. When traveling, especially with small children in tow, it´s advisable to carry your own car seat as most auto rentals don´t offer them. If they did have them, it would cost you as much as purchasing a new car seat. Always rent a car in advance especially in lean periods as the rental company will offer you a cheaper deal. If you know how many miles you´re looking at covering on your trip, go for the limited mileage offer. Otherwise it is better to pay a little extra and go for the unlimited miles than get charged a bomb for going over the limited miles.
More resources for car rental Mumbai and car audio music systems.