Whether you’re planning on going on a road trip or going on a business trip, there are a few things you should know when it comes to renting a car. Here are five mistakes to avoid with car rentals.
Renting at the Airport
Renting a vehicle at an airport will cost you more money than other vendors will charge you. That’s because airports can charge vendors premium location fees to set up shop. To cover the cost of those fees, rental services within the airport will charge you more for the same service as other rental locations.
Misunderstanding the Penalties
While it’s common knowledge that there are late fees associated with renting a car, many don’t know that you can also be fined for returning the vehicle earlier than your intended drop-off day. Make sure you understand what you can and can’t do in regards to renting a car. For example, you’ll be charged a large cleaning fee for smoking in the vehicle or you’ll need to pay a fee for returning the car without a full tank of gas. Being aware of penalties beforehand can save you a lot of money.
Adding Unnecessary Services
Be sure to check all fees and additional costs when you’re offered an upgrade. Services like GPS or roadside service can easily have fees attached to them, increasing your bill without actually needing to. While convenient, check to see if there are any cheaper alternatives. Or, better yet, ask yourself if you really need this feature to enjoy your trip.
Waiving Insurance
Unless your current car insurance provider has you covered for car rentals, you’ll want to spend the extra money and purchase car rental insurance from the dealership. While it will cause you upfront, you’ll save a lot more money if you get into an accident. Driving around in a car you’re not used to or traveling through unfamiliar territory are just a few factors that can put you at risk of getting into an accident when in your rental vehicle. As you can’t guarantee an accident-free driving experience, it’s better to be safe than sorry and purchase car rental insurance.
Not Taking Your Time
When you rush into making a big decision, there’s always a risk that you’ll regret it in the end. The same gamble applies when it comes to signing a car rental agreement without reading the contract properly. If you don’t go over the finer points of the agreement, you can run the risk of paying for unnecessary features. Take the extra few minutes to fully understand what you’re signing. If the attendant is rushing you, ignore them. You’ll definitely be glad you read everything when you catch an outrageous expense you don’t need.
At Expo Rent A Car, we offer high-quality customer service and a wide range of vehicles for any occasion. We’re dedicated to providing customers with a seamless car rental experience in downtown Vancouver, British Columbia. We accept cash and debit deposits if you don’t have a credit card, so be sure to visit our website to learn how you can rent a car with us!
