There are many reasons why someone may need to hire a car short term and it’s a common practice. You may need a sweet ride to attend a classy event where appearance matters or when your usual ride is out of commission. Or maybe you’re going on a trip with friends and none of you has a car or a car suitable enough for the journey. Here are some mistakes people often make that you should avoid when renting a car.
Not reading the fine print
Failing to read the contract carefully is a common mistake when renting a car. Terms and conditions is where tech bros and car hire outfits hide the stuff they know you’ll likely object to. Get the contract in advance and read through the terms and conditions carefully and make you understand what you’re agreeing to. What does it say about their insurance policy, fuel policy, charges, and more? After reading, don’t hesitate to ask questions if you need clarification on anything. Most are not designed to be easily understood so take your time, research, and ask questions.
Failing to inspect the vehicle
Inspect the vehicle yourself before pick-up so that on the day you pick it up, you can confirm that it’s in the same good condition and meets the specifications in the contract. If anything is out of order, raise it with them and make an immediate note of it. Remember to take pictures when conducting your inspection.
Not adding another driver to the reservation
In the event of a road trip, you are likely to get tired and switch drivers which sounds harmless enough. However, it may become a problem if there’s an accident or other occurrence and the rental company has strict rules about that, you may have to pay out of pocket.
Incorrect return time
Get clarification about their charges and when you start to incur extra costs especially as relates to return time. Most companies will give you a slight grace period if you’re late but others will charge a whole extra day even if you’re half an hour late.
Not asking about insurance
What happens if the car is damaged in any way or if anyone is hurt in the event of an accident? Find out what their insurance does and does not cover. Often when renting a car, minor vehicle damage is covered by insurance but it’s important to get clarification. Still, don’t succumb to the pressure to buy overpriced insurance.
Pre-paying to fill up the tank
Rental companies offer the option of filling up the tank for you or letting you do it yourself. Always, go for doing it yourself. When they do it, they are likely to charge you a premium for it. When renting a car, choose the option to fill it up yourself and top it off before taking it back. There are two common policies full to full and full to empty. Full to full means they give it to you with a full tank and you take it back full. Full to empty means they give it back to you full and you take it back empty. Think about the near impossibility of taking a car back empty. Always choose full to full and run for the hills when offered full to empty.
Renting a car from the airport
Car rental services operating from the airport have higher operational costs that they pass on to you. If you’re travelling, look for rental services outside the airport because they will be cheaper. You may have to get a ride to them but it will be cheaper in the long run.
Connecting personal devices
Do not connect your personal devices to the car, for example, your phone via Bluetooth. Car rental companies are not required to delete your data, plus cybersecurity experts strongly discourage it because it makes you vulnerable to cyber-attacks. Keep this in mind when renting a car.
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