8 Valuable Things to Check & Consider Before Renting a Car

by Optimum Solutions

A car rental, hire car, or car hire agency is a company that rents automobiles for short periods of time, generally ranging from a few hours to a few weeks.

Car rental agencies primarily serve people who require a temporary vehicle, for example, those who do not own their own car, or travelers who are out of town.

What about renting a car for a vacation?

Renting a car for a vacation just makes sense. It saves you money that you’d be spending on taxi rides and keeps you from being reliant upon the schedule (or unpredictable schedule) of public transportation. But the entire process involved in renting a car can be daunting for both first-timers and veteran travelers alike.

Here are 8 valuable things to know about how to rent a car.

 

1.Make sure you have your paperwork

There is nothing worse than going to the car rental agency just to realize that you have forgotten your driver’s license back home. Before renting a car with VIP Rent a car, please make sure you have your driver’s license and a valid credit card in your name with you. VIP Rent a Car will require you to present a valid credit card as a guarantee, in order to cover for incidental charges such as parking tickets, traffic violations, missing fuel et al. Debit cards are generally not accepted as a form of guarantee.

2. Always use a credit card when picking up the car

Renting a car is a breeze, but make sure you use a credit card when picking up your wheels. When you use a debit card, an authorization amount will be charged, and a substantial additional incremental hold will be assessed as well. Rental car companies used to check your credit score when you used a debit card to make sure you can pay any charges, though that policy has recently been changing among most of the larger rental companies. If you prefer to rent a car using a debit card, call ahead or check online to see what the policy is so you don’t wind up with a hold on funds that you weren’t expecting.

3. Millennial renters under 25 have additional fees

Your 23-year-old daughter may have a spotless driving record, but car rental companies don’t care. Rental companies only see them as a possible liability to their goods. Even though young drivers can rent cars at 18 or 21 years old (in some countries), they’ll likely have to pay an additional fee if they’re still under 25. If you’re traveling with someone under 25, just don’t add them as an additional driver (and make sure they never get behind the wheel!) and you won’t need to worry about incurring this extra fee.

 

 

 

4. Familiarize yourself with the Rental vehicle.

Every car is different. Chances are that you will not be renting the same car model as you drive back home. Before heading out, make sure to take some time to adjust the seat and mirrors to your liking. Check where the car functions such as Air Conditioning, lights, windshield wipers and handbrake are located. Once you have familiarized yourself with the vehicle you are ready to go.

5. Know where you are going

Before renting a car, it would be a good idea to have a travel plan with specific locations to visit in order to budget your time effectively. Do not hesitate to ask our staff about where to go or what to do, but as with everywhere, it is the locals who know all the little secrets and gems to be discovered.

6. Do not lose your car keys.

Car keys are no longer the same as they used to be. You can’t just go to your local hardware store and get a new copy. Complex electronics are located inside the car keys and since you can’t get them copied, you must order your copy from the manufacturer. And believe me, they cost a lot. Unless you want to pay 300 euro for a lost key, make sure you remember where you keep it. Extra fees are also be applied over the cost of the car key in case of loss.

7. Bring your own extras, when possible

Sometimes you need more than just a car for the trip, and rental car companies are great about having extras available for rent for your vacation. To save the convenience fee, you can bring some of the extras with you from home. For instance, instead of using the GPS from the agency you rent from, just use the maps app on your phone for navigation, as long as it won’t kill your data plan. Same thing goes for satellite radio. Listening to the 80s on 8 is great, but it’s a little more enjoyable listening to the goofy ads on the local stations. Some people think that renting an electronic toll pass is worth the cost when you consider the time it’ll save you on the road. However, you will be charged a daily rate for the convenience, whether or not you use the pass each day. Take the fee into consideration when determining whether it’s worth skipping the toll lines.

8. What Color Should You Pick?

Easy! There are no rules. Go with your gut. And don’t be afraid to choose whatever color you want.

Remember:

Always use seatbelts. Do not drink and drive.