I’ve hired a car so often that I can easily recognize the experience as the bane of every business trip or holiday. For me, the procedure usually goes like this: I come off an aircraft sweaty and tired, take a shuttle to the airport’s rental vehicle depot, and wait around 45 minutes in line to pick up the car I’ve reserved online from car rental Dubai long term, and it was very beneficial. I then sign all of the papers, confirming that I want all of the insurance coverage available, and I’m prepared to pay a far higher daily fee and total cost than the listed amount.
Many people would likely pack their cars for such an adventure. However, if you want to save cash on gas or simply have a larger or better vehicle than your own, you should rent instead. Before renting a car, here are ten things to do to make sure you receive the greatest deal, gain bonus points or cash back when available, and are covered if something goes wrong.
Determine the type of vehicle you require.
When renting a car, the first thing you should do is determine what type of vehicle will best fit your needs. The following are some important questions to ask yourself:
How many people are expected to travel?
What is the maximum amount of luggage I will be able to stow?
Is it necessary to have more than two doors to accommodate car seats or other specific needs?
Will I require a vehicle capable of traversing tough terrain?
Is it important to me whether the vehicle is a basic model or if I desire something more opulent?
You can narrow down what types of automobiles you’d be willing to rent once you’ve completed those questions. Vehicle descriptions can differ from one rental provider to the next.
Avoid the airport whenever possible.
It’s straightforward to rent a car at the airport while flying into a new place. However, this convenience may come at a cost due to airport surcharges. Surcharges, sometimes known as “(CFC) Customer Facility Charges,” are usually offered as fixed monetary sums. You may also find them as a percentage of your overall rental payment, and you may be responsible for both. These costs are normally a few dollars per day, but they can quickly reach three digits depending on the length of your stay.
Compare pricing at various rental locations throughout the city to those available at the airport. If you rent at a place that requires a taxi or rideshare, make sure to figure out the cost of a taxi or rideshare to and from your rental location.
You’ll also be penalized if you return your automobile to a different location from where you took it up. Picking up a car from an agency in dropping it off at another, for example, can add over $60 to your payment. So, if you’re planning a one-way road trip, start and end your rental at the same area wherever possible or budget to pay more.
Use a credit card with main insurance coverage.
When renting a car, insurance is frequently the most expensive aspect. If you don’t often drive (and hence don’t require or have your auto insurance), the collision damage waiver is usually the first add-on you’ll purchase. This is the primary insurance that pays the firm for the costs of damage to an automobile while it is in your ownership.
You might want to buy this insurance even if you have your auto insurance since, as Rossman points out, you’d still have to pay the deductible out of pocket if you get into an accident. The accident could incentivize your insurance company.
Examine the specifics.
Car classifications might be perplexing. Economy, Compact, Intermediate, Standard, Luxury, Small SUV, Large SUV, Extra Capacity SUV, and other vans are available. When choosing the best vehicle for your needs, pay attention to factors like how many passengers and luggage it can comfortably carry, amenities like power windows and the entertainment system, and, most importantly, whether it has an automatic or manual transmission.
You could end up with a car you can’t drive or one that won’t fit all of your passengers and belongings if you don’t do your homework. Thankfully, this information is provided with automotive advertisements, so look at them, and you should be OK.
Opt for a low-cost vehicle.
Economy cars are usually the cheapest and, as a result, the most popular. Brett Graff, a family finance specialist and author of The Home Economist’s syndicated column, thinks you may take advantage of this.
“I reserve the tiniest, most cheap vehicle possible when renting a car, knowing there’s an option it won’t be on a lot, and I’ll get an upgrade,” Graff explains.
Just make sure you don’t reserve a car that’s too small for your group, or you’ll end up cramming five people and their luggage into a two-door coupe. Is this the relaxing vacation you had in mind?
Make use of your coverage.
If you get a car, your primary insurance policy will almost certainly cover you when you rent one. A millennial that doesn’t own a car: Request that your parents include you as a driver on their policy. It is unlikely to cost you anything extra if you have a solid driving record.
Many have basic insurance coverage if you use your credit card to pay for your rental. As a result, you can skip it and save up to $30 per day on your rental. Some cards even go above and above with their coverage.
Conclusion:
Although renting a car might be annoying and time-consuming, it does not have to be costly or complicated. You may be able to receive additional benefits on the rental itself, as well as any incidental charges that may arise, find good prices for where you need to go and rest easy knowing that you covered against any disasters, by thinking through a few steps in advance. If you don’t, you’ll waste time and money that may be better spent enjoying your road trip.
