Vehicle Rental Tips
- Know your options. There are many companies that rent out vehicles, and many vehicles to choose from.
- Choose a vehicle that suits your needs. If you normally drive a compact car, an SUV might be unnecessary
- Before purchasing rental insurance, check with your personal insurance provider AND your credit card company to see if you’re already covered.
- Check with your insurer to see if they can provide a courtesy car, or if rental reimbursement is a part of your policy
- Make sure there are no problems with the car before leaving the rental location.
- Double-check it’s clean when you return it.
One of the first things to do when choosing a rental car is to talk to your insurance provider about their ability to reimburse you for the cost. Some providers can provide a courtesy car. Others will require you to have chosen a rental reimbursement option ahead of time.
The second thing to take into account is to choose the right vehicle and company. Ultimately, you should ask yourself exactly what you’ll need the vehicle for, and weigh that against the price. Is it for personal use, or do you have a family that you need to fit as well? Will people other than you need to be able to drive it? Is it a simple A to B, or do you have a longer commute? How many kilometres are you expecting to drive? Does the pricing model fit your lifestyle? Do you need any extra items, like child seats, GPS units or roof racks?
Rental agencies often sell an insurance add-on alongside their vehicles. However, your existing insurance plan with your current provider may still cover you, even in a rental vehicle, so it’s worth asking. Furthermore, if you purchase the rental with your credit card, they may offer some coverage as well. It’s a good idea to be covered, but a simple way to cut down on potential costs is to avoid redundancies.
