Have you taken a peek outside yet? If you have, then you know it’s summertime. In other words, it’s time for a summer road trip. And, instead of relying on your vehicle sitting in the driveway, perhaps it would be better to rent an automobile from a car rental company.
If you plan on renting a car within the next little while, then you should be aware of several aspects that can ensure you won’t need to endure any headaches of a car rental.
Here are five car rental tips for the summer road trip:
1. Skip the Luxury Vehicle for Your Road Trip
Wouldn’t it be nice if you could just drive around in a Mercedes Benz, a Porsche 9/11 Carrera, or a BMW? Yes, it would be a dream to coast on the open road in such a luxury automobile.
But then it will cost you plenty, which then risks impacting the quality of your road trip.
In other words, perhaps you should stick to a modest sedan that can get you to your destination. Whether it is a Toyota Accord or a Ford Focus, it is always better to pick something that is a bit more humble and affordable. Remember, if you get into an accident, it’s going to cost you.
2. Look Around for the Best Prices
Like any other good or service you’re in the market for, it is important to search around for the best prices. The simple act of price comparison can save you plenty of loonies and toonies by the end of your summer road trip. Everything from daily rental rates to the cost of added features, you should scan the market and see what else is being offered at various rental establishments.
3. Never Bring Back Your Car Late
One of the most important things to remember is to return your auto rental on time.
By being even an hour late, you risk facing penalties and added charges. You don’t want to shell out even more money when you don’t have to.
So, if you need to return the car by noon Monday, then be sure you leave your home at 10 a.m. or just give yourself plenty of time to arrive to the rental lot with 20 minutes to spare!
4. Fill up the Gas Before the Return
Should you refrain from filling up the gas tank before bringing back your vehicle, then you will be charged a hefty sum of money. Because car rental facilities will charge you premium gasoline as they fill up the tank, you need to visit a gas station first and fill up on regular gasoline.
With today’s surging as prices, you don’t want to spend more than you need to.
5. To Insure or Not to Insure – That’s the Question
Here is a question: do you insure your automobile or do you not insure your automobile? For a lot of people, that is a difficult question to answer. Some experts say it’s unnecessary, while others say it is absolutely essential when you’re renting a car, whether it’s an SUV or a sports car.
So, what’s the answer?
Here it is: if you already have auto insurance with another vehicle, then that will apply to your rental. On the other hand, if you don’t already have auto insurance, then you should purchase some from the rental company, which gives you a layer of protection and some peace of mind as you see the country.
It’s summer. So that only means that it’s time for a road trip, either with your friends or with your family. After months of avoiding the open roads because of the tumultuous weather conditions, you now have the opportune time to enjoy everything Mother Nature has to offer during the June-to-September period.
And it begins by renting an automobile. Rather than breaking the bank – money that can be used to purchase bags of potato chips and bottles of soda pop – you can save some dough by adopting these tips. By doing so, you can only concentrate on the road trip and nothing else.
