car rental Vancouver

Renting and Travelling Safely on Essential Trips during the Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a severe impact on a number of industries, and travelling has changed drastically as a result. Travelling has actually been banned to some extent in certain areas, but there are many people who need to go on essential trips, and if this applies to you, there are a lot of steps and precautions you must take to ensure everyone’s safety.

A road trip is not what it used to be, and preparation is a must to help prevent the spread of this virus. You need to pack all of your essentials because stopping for food can put you at risk. It’s natural to make stops along the way, but with the current pandemic, contact with other people and surfaces must be limited, meaning you need to stop less often. When you do stop, you need to make sure you have a mask, and you should have sanitizing wipes and hand sanitizer in your car at all times. When you arrive at your destination, don’t forget to bring your mask in with you and wipe down the surfaces in your hotel room.

If you need to rent a car, you will be happy to know that this is safe to do if you take the proper precautions. You can wipe down the steering wheel, handles and all other surfaces for peace of mind, but all reputable car rental companies have implemented strict cleaning procedures and rigorous disinfecting protocols that must be followed. All employees are aware of these changes and know that they have to wash, vacuum, wipe down and sanitize every vehicle after each rental. Additionally, they have to use specific disinfectants that meet the requirements stated by leading health authorities.

Rental car companies will clean every component of the vehicle, including the seat belts, steering wheel, console, door handles, cup holders, vents, mirrors, gear shift and other high-touch areas. They take this process very seriously and will complete a thorough cleaning, so you can have peace of mind. Some companies are also offering curbside rentals to help reduce the spread of the virus, meaning renters do not have to set foot inside the facility. Many of them will even deliver the vehicle to the renter’s home or workplace to further minimize the risk of spreading this virus. In terms of payment, low-touch transactions are now the norm and advance check-ins can be completed online or through a cell phone, both of which will reduce the need for close contact.

If you take the right steps, you can rent a vehicle without having to worry, and Expo Rent a Car will make sure you feel comfortable with the process. If you need to rent a car for your next trip and are looking for cheap car rentals, we can help, so if you are in the downtown Vancouver area, contact us today!

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Do I Need To Buy Insurance For My Rental Car?

Deciding whether or not to purchase insurance for a rental car can be tricky, especially if you have car insurance already, which is why you need to know all of the right information so that you can make the right decision accordingly.

Do I Need To Buy Insurance For My Rental Car?

In many cases, the insurance that rental companies offer can seem like an unnecessary fee but before you decline the offer, keep in mind that car insurance is very important and does serve a purpose. You need protection from risk, which is why car insurance is something you should consider, especially when you’re not driving your own car as there are different types of risks and fees associated that you can experience, including liability, collision and comprehensive risks. Each risk is very costly if you were to come across it and having the right protection against all three will give you peace of mind so that you can drive safely and enjoy your road trip.

If you already have protection and your car insurance covers one or all of these risks, then you don’t need additional coverage. However, it is important to contact your insurance company to see what your policy covers so that you know for sure and don’t run into any surprises. Make sure your coverage will be extended to rental vehicles and figure out which type of risk you’ll be protected against should you need to use your insurance. In many cases, even if you’re covered, the extent of the coverage may not be the same for a rental, especially when it comes to collision and comprehensive coverage. Your policy may seem like it covers these things but there is a chance it will not provide you with enough protection or may not extend to a rental car. This is why you need to call your insurance company to figure out all the details so that you know where you stand should you run into a problem.

If your policy does not protect you to the extent you’d like, there is a chance that your credit card company does, so look into this because most credit cards do provide collision and comprehensive coverage for rental vehicles, especially if it comes with an annual fee. In order for the coverage to be active, you will most likely have to pay for the cost of the rental with that specific credit card.

If you need to rent a car and are not sure about the insurance aspect, Expo Rent a Car in downtown Vancouver can help. In addition to cheap car rentals, they can provide you with all of the right information so that you hit the road with confidence knowing you are covered. For all of your car rental needs, visit Expo Rent a Car today!

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Six Essential Healthy Snacks To Pack For Your Next Road Trip

Road trips are all about driving, singing songs, enjoying the scenery and munching down on snacks. However, what you’re munching on may not always be the healthiest! It’s tempting to stop at that convenience store en route and pick up the saltiest or sweetest snacks for the journey, but those choices aren’t the best for your body. Staying hydrated, full and alert is crucial to safe driving on the road. Consuming only unhealthy snacks on the road can decrease your body’s energy and contribute to stress.

Avoiding the trap of relying on convenient, readily available unhealthy treats can be tricky, but is worth it for a more fulfilling journey. Check out the six essential healthy snacks to pack in the car for your road trip.

1. Beef Jerky

Beef jerky is a healthy and delicious treat that is filled with protein and leaves you feeling full. Opt-out of grabbing that gas station beef jerky that’s loaded with preservatives and high in sodium. Instead, pick up healthier, organic beef jerky from a natural foods store or grocery store prior to your trip.

2. Hard-Boiled Eggs

Eggs are filled with protein and a quick way to prepare them is to hard-boil. Hard-boiled eggs can be easily stored, easy to devour on the journey and relatively mess-free. They pair perfectly with crackers or just on their own with some salt on top.

3. Protein Bars

Although there is a myriad of protein bar options out there, not all are made up of the same healthy, nutritious ingredients. Some protein bars are packed full of sugar and added preservatives, which can be equally as unhealthy as all of those gas station sweet treats. When picking up protein bars, ensure you’re choosing protein bars with natural, nutritious ingredients that leaves you feeling alert without the sugar crash later.

4. Carrots

It’s no secret that carrots are full of fibre and are high in nutrition, but they’re also easy to eat a snack to have on the road when you’re bored. When you find yourself ready and wanting to munch down on something, carrots are a healthy choice and are mess-free.

5. Hummus

Hummus is a delicious, protein-packed treat that is a great choice for road trips. Whether you use crackers, carrots or celery to dip into your hummus, all make for a nutritious and filling snack of B vitamins.

6. Pistachios

Pistachios make for a great crunchy and tasty snack full of fibre and unsaturated fats. They’re a healthier alternative to nuts with fewer calories and more flavour!

After you pick up those healthy road trip snacks, browse through Expo Rent A Car Vancouver’s selection of the perfect car to get you to your destination. Our car rental service in Downtown Vancouver has a vast selection of high quality, reliable and comfortable vehicles to ensure you have a smooth trip. Find out which car drives you and rent it for your trip to have the best journey possible at https://exporentacar.com/#top.

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Three Canadian Travel Destinations To Visit This Winter

Canada is known for being one of the most picturesque places to travel in any season! Winter vacations spent in Canada are extremely popular because of the endless fun activities and experiences to be had. Whether you want to cozy up by the fire or in a spa for a romantic getaway or hit the slopes with the family, Canada has the best winter destinations for you. 

Ready to start planning your winter vacation? Check out the top three Canadian winter travel destinations to cruise to this season!

1. Banff

Banff is located right in the centre of the Canadian Rocky Mountains in Alberta and is known for its breathtaking, mountainous beauty. Banff is a beautiful area for both tourists and residents alike with access to beautiful scenery and great ski resorts. Some of the most popular resorts to ski and stay at include Sunshine Village, Mount Norquay and Lake Louise Ski Resort. Whether you’re a first-time skier or a pro on the hills, these resorts have various slopes to suit your skills. Just slightly over a 9-hour drive from Vancouver, Banff is not too far but still far enough to have the perfect winter getaway in one of our affordable car rentals in Vancouver.

2. Whistler

Arguably the most acclaimed Canadian winter communities, Whistler has a legendary reputation for having incredible ski resorts. Located right in the Coastal Mountain area, Whistler is only about an hour and a half drive from Vancouver. This is perfect for even a day getaway with our Expo Rent A Car Vancouver service to ensure you get a perfect day on the hill. With varied terrain suitable for beginners, intermediate and expert skiers and snowboarders, all are welcome to hit the slopes and enjoy what Whistler has to offer. For those that desire a more relaxing winter getaway, Whistler has a vast selection of high-quality dining locations and spas to enjoy.

3. Quebec City

Quebec City has the oldest median age of any large city in all of Canada at 43.5! With that comes a vast amount of history and beauty to enjoy during the winter. Located right on the Saint Lawrence River, Quebec City is known for its exciting winter activities which draw in crowds of explosive numbers. From January 27th to February 12th, Quebec City holds its annual Carnaval de Quebec with winter activities that include ice carving, winter carnivals and igloo building. The city is engulfed with snow during the wintertime and transforms into a winter wonderland. Although a much longer road trip from Vancouver to Quebec City, it’s certainly one the family will love for incredible sights and stops along the way!

Wherever your journey takes you this winter, you can rely on any of our vehicles from Expo Rent A Car. Our car rental service in Downtown Vancouver has a selection of only the safest, top-quality, reliable vehicles to ensure a smooth, comfortable journey. Get in touch with us to rent the car that suits you best!

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Travelling For Business? Use These Three Tips To Ensure A Smooth Journey

Your first business trip is a substantial milestone in your career and, most importantly, a fun one! Although the trip itself may be piled with various meetings, dinners, and preparation, the journey to get there can be full of adventure and sight-seeing. It may seem absurd and impossible to become a savvy business traveller overnight, but with the right tips, you’ll be navigating your first business trip like a pro.

To find out how to get the most out of your work venture, check out the three tips to ensure a smooth journey below.

Pack Practically

Choosing the right items to pack for your trip is imperative to the overall success of your business trip. Although it may be difficult, it’s critical to avoid overpacking and having your suitcases stuffed with articles of clothing that you will not even need. Pack light and only the clothing items you know will be necessary. Consider an outfit for meetings, dinner and the in-between, but re-use that pair of jeans when possible! Set aside specific layers for each day to make outfit selection far easier. If you have a meeting as soon as you reach your location, wear the suit jacket or dress en route to keep it from getting wrinkled in transit.

Stick With One Car Rental Service

For business travels, you won’t want to be calling Ubers and spending all of your cash on taxis. When you’re on the road, you’ll need an affordable car rental from Vancouver that gets you to and from meetings in style. Find a car rental in downtown Vancouver with offers that suit your needs and your company’s! Many insurance companies will try to have you purchase an expensive insurance policy but at Expo Rent A Car, our policy is about transparency and no hidden fees! We make renting a vehicle for your business trip straightforward and simple, with no credit card required, 24/7 customer service care and an age requirement of 18 with valid driver’s license!

Charge Your Devices

Your electronic devices are essential to your work trip, but they are useless if they’re not fully charged! If you’re preparing for a meeting in person and it quickly changes to one via Skype, your laptop or cellphone needs to be charged and in optimal condition to ensure nothing interferes with the meeting. If you’re continuously on the go in your rental car, keep your devices charged up while driving! Our vehicles all have charging ports installed to allow you to charge, play your music or even discuss pre-meeting planning all while you’re on the road.

For your next business venture, be sure to reserve your car rental in Vancouver from Expo Rent A Car! With a wide selection of modern, stylish and practical cars, choose with one is most suited to your needs and reserve it in time for your trip across the border or in BC today. Get in touch with our support.

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