Do's and Don'ts of Renting a Car

Are you planning on taking a road trip? Is your vehicle in the shop being repaired? Either way, or whatever your reason may be, you need a rental car and should know exactly what to expect. I've had both great and terrible experiences with rental car companies, but have learned enough to know what to do and what not to do when renting a car.

Do's of Car Rental
Do a little research before renting a car. Figure out what type of vehicle will suit your road trip or lifestyle.
Go online and lookup local rental car companies. Check out consumer reviews about the local rental car companies before deciding on which company and location to rent from. Make sure that the company you are renting from has a good track record and not a long list of complaints. Call your car insurance agent and make sure that your current vehicle's policy will cover the rental car as a temporary or substitute vehicle. This will save you some money when the rental car company asks if you want the rental insurance. Make sure that you have a copy of your insurance identification cards with you when you go to rent a vehicle. If you have the time go ahead and make a reservation before you go to the rental car office. This will save you some time and trouble in making sure they have the vehicle you want. Rent a vehicle during the day so that when you do your visual inspection you will be able to see. Once you are finally at the car rental facility and your paperwork is in hand make sure you read it. Do double check to make sure you are getting the vehicle, rate, and time period you requested. Write down and remember the clerk's name who rented you the vehicle and make sure their name is on the contract. Thoroughly check the vehicle inside and out. Write down every dent, scratch and nick you see on the outside no matter what the attendant tells you. Remember, this is a contract that you will be signing and you want to make sure that you are not going to be held liable for something someone else did to the vehicle before you got it. Do check the inside upholstery for stains, burns, discoloration, and garbage. Check the floors and mats to make sure they are clean. Also check the trunk or truck bed to make sure no items have been left behind and there is no additional damage. Ask the attendant if they regularly clean or detail the vehicle before and or after it's rented. If they do, ask if you will be responsible for any cleaning/detailing charge. Make sure that you have noted everything that you saw on the contract before signing it.

Don'ts of Car Rental
Don't pay for the rental car insurance if you don't have to. If you have a vehicle policy that will cover it there's no need in wasting the money. Don't rent a vehicle you don't want. There are plenty of rental car companies out there with plenty of options who are willing to make sure you get what you want. Don't take the rental car employee's word for it. Make sure that anything they agree to is written down on the contract. Don't rent a vehicle at night if you can help it. Inspecting a vehicle at night is difficult and you could miss something that you will get blamed for. Don't let anyone drive the rental vehicle if they are not on the rental agreement unless they are covered under permissive use on your insurance. Remember, you will be held liable for anything that happens to the car. Don't get taken advantage of. Follow all of the do's and don'ts that I've mentioned above and you should have a good experience.