Car Rental Hidden Fees

Car rental companies offer an invaluable service. If traveling out of town by airplane or train, travelers can rent a vehicle at their destination, and enjoy the convenience of a personal vehicle. Also, car rentals come in handy when your own car is out of commission due to automotive problems. For the most part, renting a car is inexpensive. Car rental companies price cars according to grade. For example, a compact car may cost $19/per day, mid-size cars may cost $25/per day, luxury cars $30/per, and sports utility vehicles $40/per day. Therefore, a family traveling to Disneyworld for a week could possibly rent a SUV for $280. This may sound like a great deal. Unfortunately, the final cost of renting a vehicle includes more than the daily rental fee. Car rentals have many hidden fees, which can catch a lot of people off guard. Before renting a vehicle for your next trip, consider the following car rental fees.

• Insurance - An insurance rider is optional, but recommended. For an additional $14 - $20/per day, the vehicle is covered for all damages (scratches, collisions, etc.) Even if an accident is caused by another driver, the person renting the vehicle may be responsible for paying the damages. Hence, insuring the rental car can offer peace of mind.

• Taxes - No purchase is complete without calculating taxes. The percentage of taxes will vary according to state.

• Additional Drivers - Each person planning on driving the rental car must present their driver's license to the rental company. Unfortunately, the daily rental fee only covers a single driver. If more than one person plans on driving the vehicle, there is an average fee of $10 for every additional driver. This is usually a one-time fee.

• Underage Fee - Most car rental companies require drivers 25 years and older. If a driver is under the age of 25, he or she can expect a higher rental fee. The extra fee for drivers 21 - 24 years old is approximately $15 - $20 per day.

• Different Drop-off Location - Always return the rental car to the same location. Because the vehicle must be transported to the original location, failing to do so will result in additional fees. Some car rental companies will allow returns at locations in different cities or states. Contact the car rental company and inquire about their return policy.

• Fuel - Never return a rental car with an empty gas tank. Most car rental companies require that vehicles are returned with a full tank of gas. If not, they charge a fuel surcharge higher than the average cost of gas.