A Guide To Understanding And Making The Most Out Of A Vehicle Rental

Automotive Blog

If you are planning to travel and want to make sure that you have a safe and reliable form of travel, touching base with a car rental company is one of the best ways to go about it. This process might seem foreign if you have never had to rent a car before. Follow this guide so that you understand the benefits of choosing a vehicle rental, the requirements of renting a vehicle and how to save money when doing so. 

Understand The Benefits Of Choosing Car Rental

Whenever the situation presents itself, renting a car is always the better alternative to using your own vehicle or relying on public transportation to get around. The benefits of renting a vehicle are plentiful, including some of the following:

• You prevent putting miles and wear on your vehicle, or relying on the timetable and potential inconvenience of public transportation options
• The vehicles are well maintained and generally new, so you can get from point A to point B safely
• The vehicles rented by these companies are typically great on gas mileage
• Renting a car is like a test drive for a vehicle that you have always wanted, so you can decide whether to buy that model some day

Learn The Eligibility Requirements To Rent A Vehicle 

The first thing you need to make sure of is that you have a valid and active driver's license, with active insurance. Suspended licenses and lapsed insurance plans will likely make it so that you are not able to rent a car. Many car rental companies also prefer that you have a credit card, so that they can account for any damages or incidentals. Also importantly, you'll need to satisfy the age requirements of the state that you rent the car within. Most states require that you be at least 25 years old to rent a car, but some will allow you to rent a vehicle at a younger age. If you are younger than 25, you might be charged a young driver's fee. Some auto rental companies will also charge an older driver's fee for people 70 or older. 

Ways To Save Money On Car Rentals

The key to making the most of your trip is to avoid a costly rental. You can do so by following some of these tips:

• Don't get caught up in name brands. You can save money by going with lesser known, but equally reputable car rental companies.
• Book online to find some of the best discounts that you can't get in person.
• Consider keeping the vehicle longer. Adding extra time to your rental can surprisingly save money on the rate, as long as you turn the vehicle in early.
• Don't be afraid to negotiate. The prices are not set in stone until you sign a contract, and many vehicle rental companies are happy to accommodate.

Consider this information so that you are able to make the absolute best out of your car rental. 

Share

18 March 2015