Car rental is a convenient way to get around, but it can be expensive if you’re not careful. You can avoid unnecessary charges by doing a little research and asking questions ahead of time.
Make sure to ask about taxes and fees, including a refueling charge. Also, consider adding an EZ Pass device to your rental to save on toll fees.
Book in Advance
We’re sure you’ve heard this before: the sooner you book your car rental, the cheaper it will be. Whether it’s an agency’s own website or an online reservation platform, booking early is always best.
However, there are a few important caveats. Weekends, holidays, and peak travel seasons are when demand is highest and prices will reflect this.
Also, many rental companies will offer a prepaid option for discounted rates, but these are almost always non-refundable. Opaque booking sites often don’t allow you to add your loyalty program information, and counter agents may be incentivized to upsell you. If you’re able to, choose a pay later option instead.
Check with Your Insurance Company
Oftentimes, your car insurance company will reimburse you for the cost of renting a vehicle. This is best to verify before you book a rental.
Many rental companies will try to sell you supplemental insurance coverage or waivers. It is best to have a copy of your own policy in case the agent attempts to charge you additional fees or fails to inform you that the same coverage may already be included.
Credit card companies will usually offer loss/damage coverage that acts like comprehensive and collision policies for a rental car. This will protect you against theft, vandalism, environmental damage and loss of personal belongings.
Perform a Pre-Inspection
Inspecting a rental vehicle is an important part of the car rental process. It not only familiarizes you with the vehicle, but it also helps to identify any pre-existing damage that could affect your car rental experience.
When completing a rental vehicle service in Munich inspection, make sure that you document any existing damage to the interior or exterior of the car. This will ensure that both you and the rental company have a transparent record of the vehicle’s condition.
You should also verify that the fuel level and kilometres on the car align with those listed in the rental agreement. This will prevent you from getting stuck with surprise mileage fees when you return the vehicle.
Don’t Leave Damage Undocumented
Many rental companies require customers to document damage before leaving the car rental area. This includes taking pictures and filling out an accident form if applicable. If a customer returns a vehicle after hours, they’re responsible for any damage that may occur until the office opens and an employee can inspect the vehicle.
Sometimes, it’s hard for a company to spot certain damage. Whether it’s a reckless station manager chasing commission or rogue practices at management level, generating income by charging customers for difficult-to-spot damages can be very lucrative.
Time-stamped photos can help protect customers from being billed for pre-existing damage. They can also help reduce disputes around fuel levels and odometer readings.
Check the Terms of Your Rental Contract
It is always best to thoroughly read a car rental contract before signing. If you don’t, it can be easy to violate terms and conditions that may lead to additional fees.
Many car rental companies have a "full/full" fuel policy that requires renters to return the vehicle with a full tank. This can add up quickly if you exceed your allotted mileage limit.
With Formplus’ centralized platform, you can create your rental agreement Autovermietung in Kassel just one click. It also allows you to easily share your submissions with car renters in a merged PDF document.
Avoid Additional Driver Fees
When renting a car, be aware of fees that can pop up at the counter. Car rental companies often charge extra for things like GPS and tolls, but there are ways to avoid these costs if you’re prepared ahead of time.
Likewise, the fee for an additional driver can add up quickly. Many rental companies impose this fee because they claim that your own insurance doesn’t cover the vehicle or vehicle service in Munich that you don’t have enough credit available to make a payment on the spot.
However, Costco members can avoid this fee at Alamo and Enterprise by using a coupon code, and USAA members can eliminate it with Hertz and Avis as well.
