Car Hire Tips
Keep in mind that some car rental companies that advertise lower than average prices may simply not be including some extra fees which you will have to pay in the end regardless (meaning the low advertised price is just a hook and you won’t save any money in the end).
Furthermore most of the companies that use this trick are not the most reputable companies so you may encounter further problems when dealing with them.
Tips for booking a car for hire
Be aware of the insurance options
Make sure you are clear about what’s included in the insurance package that the company offers you.
Some companies offer expensive insurance options which, when you read the fine print, don’t actually provide you with much coverage.
In most cases you can save money by arranging for your insurance independently prior to picking up your vehicle, and doing things this way will likely also make the process more transparent, so you will know exactly what you are being covered for.
Check their fuel policy
Most people prefer to simply return the car with the same amount of fuel as it had when they picked it up in order to avoid excess fueling fees, and most companies will do things this way.
However do check your specific policy because some companies will charge you for a full tank regardless of how much you use, and will not provide a refund if you return the car with any gas left in it.
Book early
Booking well in advance – and companies will generally allow you to book up to three months in advance – can save you a lot of money, so planning ahead is always a great benefit.
Check for any age restrictions
Most rental companies will charge a premium in cases where the driver is less than 21 years old, and in some cases, such as with high performance vehicles, companies will restrict their use altogether by drivers under the age of 25.
Furthermore some companies don’t like to rent cars to people over the age of 70, or they may allow it but add a surcharge.
GPS
GPS or other navigation devices may seem like a good idea, but most car hire companies tend to way overcharge for this option, and in some cases, especially if you are going on a longer trip, the GPS charge might be similar to what you would pay to buy your own GPS machine outright.
It is recommended to get a navigation app on your phone as this will cost you far less.
Limits on kilometres or one-way fees
If you are planning to drop your car off at your destination rather than returning it, be sure to check if there is an additional one-way drop-off fee.
Also, though in most cases there won’t be any limit to mileage, some companies will charge you a fee for mileage above a certain threshold, so this is also worth finding out in advance.
