Your safety preparations should begin when making your rental reservations. While you want to get a good deal, you also want a good car. Web sites such as that operated by Consumer Reports can provide information on car safety ratings. Your insurance company may also have safety statistics on various makes and models, says Jeff Beyer, senior vice president and chief communications officer of Farmers Insurance.
Rent a car that is suited to your needs. If you are traveling with a family of four and lots of luggage, a compact car may not have enough room. Also, make any special requests when you arrange your reservation. For example, if you know you will need a child's car seat for your two-year-old, be sure to reserve one early -- don't expect one to be available on the spur of the moment when you arrive to pick up your car.
You'll also want to check with your insurance company to find out how your coverage works for rented cars, says Beyer. Find out if your insurance will cover service calls on rental cars, and ask your agent if you will need to buy any supplemental insurance from the car rental company. By doing a little research before you leave on your trip, you may be able to save money by not purchasing unnecessary and overly expensive insurance through the car rental company, he adds. Some credit cards also provide supplementary insurance if you use them to pay for the car rental. Check with your credit card company for specifics.
When You Pick Up Your Car
Check the contract to make sure you're getting the rate and the car you were promised when you made the reservation. Ask the agent what to do if the car breaks down. If you're not sure how to get to your destination, request a map and driving directions from the agent.
Once at the car, do a quick check for any damage; if you spot anything significant, call it to the attention of the rental company before you take the car off the lot, so you won't be penalized for damage you didn't cause.
Before You Leave the Lot
Familiarize yourself with the car: be sure you know how to work the headlights, turn signals and interior lights. Check the windshield wipers to make sure they work and that there is washer fluid; you don't want to get caught in rain or snow with bad wipers.
Adjust the seat and mirrors. Check the seatbelts; is there one for every passenger? Are they easy to latch and unlatch? If you like to listen to the radio as you drive, tune in a local station that meets your tastes before you hit the road.
Enjoy Your Visit
Because rental cars are attractive targets for thieves, remove all valuables from the car when it is parked, if possible. If you have to leave your luggage or other property in the car, lock it in the trunk, out of sight.
By planning ahead and taking a few easy precautions, renting a car will be easy. Now if you can just fit all those gifts into your luggage for the return trip home.
Renting a car is popular with various types of travelers. Business travelers used to be the mainstay of the car rental business. They need a rental for obvious reasons since they do a lot of travel and taking taxis can be expensive and inconvenient. In the 70s and 80s renting a car on vacation gained popularity and now it is a big part of the rental market. It is common to rent cars at your arrival airport so you can easily get to and from the airport and your destination.
So what if you're going to a city with plenty of public transportation? While it may seem easy enough to take busses and subways, taking a vacation is a lot less stressful and more enjoyable if you rent a car. You'll be able to come and go as you please and you won't have to look for taxis. You can also visit areas outside the city that aren't serviced by other forms of transportation.
You might be thinking that renting a car is outside of your budget but you might be surprised at how affordable it can be. If you get a small car and get a weekly rate then you could be paying less than taking taxis and public transportation, especially if you're splitting the cost with others.
Maybe you're planning on just staying close to home taking a road trip. A week on the road can take a toll on your car so why not rent. With unlimited miles and fairly new cars you could affordably be touring around worry free. You can also rent a specialty vehicle such as a sports car, luxury car or convertible to make your road trip more enjoyable and exciting.
Another time when a rental may be necessary is when your car is in the shop. If you depend on a car then being without one can be a hardship. Rental car companies usually have drop off and pick up services so you can easily get your rental and won't have to go to the airport or in-town agency. If you've been in an accident then your insurance may cover the cost of your rental. In any case, most insurance companies have negotiated rates with rental companies so it pays to ask.
Finding the Cheapest Rates
Finding the lowest rental rates is made easy with the use of the internet. There are online travel sites such as Expedia and Travelocity that have great search tools. They will give you a list of available rates and models from various rental agencies for the time period you want to rent. You will be able to compare and find the best price for the size vehicle you want. It's also pennywise to visit the individual rental car companies' websites since the best deals are usually only available to customers who rent directly from the company.
Both John Pawlett & Ray Walberg are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
John Pawlett has sinced written about articles on various topics from Mobile Phone Reviews, Home Based Business and Facelift Before and After. Car rental biz runs an informative car rental site that looks into all aspects of car hire from the rules and regulations to the cost efficiency.To find out more visit