How to Rent a CarWant to know how to rent a car? Like most things in life, approaching something for the first time has its challenges, and some things you just don't know until you do some research. We hope that this page will help show you how to rent a car, what to look out for and protect you and your budget at the same time!
Factors that influence the rate and the rental:
I recommend that you have a look at the following steps, to assist you in making an informed decision when renting your next vehicle. Step 1 – What is my budget? Steps on How to Rent a Car 
Step 1 – What is my Budget? The all important question... How much can I, and what am I willing to spend on this rental vehicle. Rates vary anywhere from $20 per day for a small compact vehicle, to a couple of thousand dollars per day for a luxury supercar. Browse the web for those special offers, there are some amazing deals out there. A VERY IMPORTANT part of the budget step is to check what DEPOSIT is required. This can once again be anything from zero to many thousands of dollars, depending on the insurance option you choose. This is a refundable deposit for insurance purposes that is generally taken on your credit card for the duration of the rental. Rental length also influences the rate, the longer you rent, the cheaper the daily rate gets. (discussed below) 
Step 2 – What car do I need? Well, this one is based on your need... A nice SUV for a family holiday, a small runaround for a business meeting or a luxury limo for a flashy event. Most companies indicate what the luggage space and seating layout is per vehicle. make sure you get what you asked for, as some agencies 'upgrade' you to a vehicle that isn't exactly what you were aiming at. This might be due to over-bookings or vehicle relocation delays. Keep an eye on that one... 
Step 3 – For how long will I need this vehicle? Once again, this is dependent on your need, two week family holiday, one day super luxury function or three day business trip... you decide. It is important to note that your daily rental rate is influenced by the length of time that you take the vehicle. At most agencies, the longer you have the vehicle, the lower your daily rate goes. 
Step 4 – How far will I be driving? Generally there are two options here, a limited mileage option and an unlimited mileage option. The limited option varies from company tot company, but around 100 – 200 miles per day are generally included, just remember to check this with the agency you choose. The unlimited mileage option is a bit more expensive than the limited option, but the difference is not so great. Make sure to do your calculations, its sometimes cheaper to take the unlimited option that paying extra on exceeding the limited mileage. Yes, if you exceed your limited mileage, you will be charged anything from $0.10 to $3 per mile(km). If your budget allows, that the unlimited option, you'll have peace of mind and you won't have to worry about any nasty charges at the end. 
Step 5 – What Insurance option should I choose? Every rental vehicle has an insurance aspect linked to it. When you hire a vehicle, the agency requires a security deposit for the duration of the rental. This is mainly to cover an excess payment in case of collision or damage. You need to decide what risk you are willing to take. Insurance options are different throughout the world, but in most counties you'll have a Standard or Super Cover option. Standard Cover = Lower daily rate with a bit more risk. Super Cover = Higher daily rate with a very low risk. Some agencies provide a zero excess on their super cover option, and others a very low excess. Click here for a full description of available insurance options. 
Step 6 – Do the vehicle inspection! After many rentals, some folks just sign the vehicle inspection form and ask for the keys. It's good to trust your rental agency, but don't neglect this important step. Some agencies ask you to sign the contract and inspection, then drop you off at the stock yard to fetch your vehicle... a little risky... as you could get charged for the previous renters damages that was overlooked by the rental agent. Always do the vehicle inspection with an agent, it takes an extra 5 minutes and its better than trying to fight after the rental. Do the same when you return the vehicle, the large agencies have thousands of vehicle and small damages can easily be overlooked.
From How to Rent a Car to Home Page From How to Rent a Car to Rental Car Insurance Please note that the information on the How to Rent a Car page, is the opinion of the website owner. These steps are good guidelines, but certain aspects might differ from agency to agency. We trust that you will now have a better understanding on how to rent a car! |
