In life, accidents will happen. Usually when least expected. When life throws you curveballs, you need to be able to jump to a plan B so you can continue to live your life.
One of the most common accidents is vehicle accidents. With more and more people driving and an increased amount of distractions on the road, accidents are at an all-time high. People are in a rush to get to work, to the beach, or to church. Sometimes they run through the end of yellow light, sometimes they are changing lanes on the highway, or sometimes they miscalculate the space they have to park. No matter how severe or how minuscule the accident is, they may need to rent a car while their permanent vehicle gets repaired.
Many insurance policies give an allowance for a rental car while the car is getting repaired due to an accident. This coverage is usually an add-on or elective so not all people are covered by this policy. If you are in need of a rental car, keep the costs down by following this guide.
Tips On Renting A Car
The car rental advantage is that you will be able to still get to the places you need to be at if you follow these steps when renting a car.
Avoid Booking At Airports
When people think about renting a car, a most thing of the rental companies close to the nearest airport. These locations are at the airport because the demand is high in that area. What many people may overlook is that the pricing of rental cars at the airport may be substantially higher since those areas have a higher demand for renters.
Many of the big-name car rental companies have smaller satellite locations throughout any major city. Ordering your rental car may save you 10-20% discount, plus these locations may have a better selection of available vehicles on their lot.
Use a Credit Card that Will Cover Primary Insurance On The Rental Car
Rental cars usually need their own insurance for full coverage. If you have a credit card with one of the major networks, you may have access to get coverage by paying for the rental through that credit card. The credit card most likely will not include liability insurance so if that is something you need, it is more cost-effective to get insurance apart from the insurance the rental car company is charging.
Check of Discounts
You may be eligible for discounts and not know it. If you have a Costco membership or AAA, most rental car companies will offer a lower rate or upgrades. If you are an active military or veteran, you may get special perks, too. In addition, some rental car companies offer additional discounts to high-level members from the major hotel brands like Marriott, IHG, and Hilton hotels. Check with your awards account to see if you are eligible for any special discounts.
Check the Car for Damage
Before you drive off the lot, make sure you inspect the exterior of the car for any dents, scratches, or blemishes. Once you drove off the lot, the car is your responsibility and any damages incurred may be charged to your account. At most of the rental car companies, it is part of the SOP for the attendant to inspect the car before you take it, but you want to still double-check. This could save you hundreds if there was damage that was not found prior to you taking the car off the lot.
These Little Steps will Save You Money
By taking these small steps, you will have the opportunity to save yourself some money when it comes time to rent a car.
