Car rental is a service that lets you rent cars for short periods of time. They’re often organized online, allowing you to make reservations and return the vehicle at your convenience.
A few minutes of research can save you big on your next rental. Try setting a calendar reminder two times per week to check rates and see if they have dropped.
Paying in Advance
Paying in advance signals to the car rental company that you'll show up for the vehicle service Alicante, which can result in a savings of 15% or more. But that discount is often accompanied by hefty cancellation fees and inflexible date ranges, making it a good choice only for travelers who know they'll make their trip as planned.
On the other hand, paying later gives travelers some flexibility. By setting a calendar reminder, it's possible to check the rate on a particular vehicle once per week—a trick recommended by Scott Keyes, founder of Going (formerly Scott's Cheap Flights).
This keeps prices lower over time and allows consumers to cancel the reservation for a better deal at any point. The downside to this is that you'll probably be subject to more stringent requirements at non-airport locations when paying with a debit card, such as copies of utility bills and a recent paystub. The good news is that Budget and several other major rental companies allow you to use a debit card at the counter in lieu of a credit card.
Damage Waivers
A rental car company may offer a collision damage waiver (CDW), which covers damage to the vehicle. Most consumers will be asked to accept full CDW when reserving the rental or at the counter; however, the option to decline the coverage should always be made clear. If consumers don’t opt-in for the coverage, they may be exposed to costly repair bills, lost usage charges that add up over time and a potentially high credit card balance that can max out the credit limit and disrupt travel plans.
A CDW can also reduce the renter’s liability for things like flat tires, roadside assistance call out charges and other administrative expenses that aren’t covered by auto policies or credit card benefits. CPCU David Thompson tells the story of an insured who was hit with diminished value charges totaling more than $3,000 after he damaged a rental car while on vacation. It’s important to understand the risks before making a decision on whether to purchase a CDW.
Additional Drivers
Adding another driver can be helpful for many reasons, from saving time on checking out a new city to sharing the burden of driving while traveling. However, it's important to understand the company policies, state regulations and daily charges for additional drivers.
While it varies by supplier, most rental car companies charge an additional driver fee. Some allow you to add a driver online or at the counter and others require both the main renter and the additional driver to be present during pick-up for verification of their licence information and ID.
The good news is that some major car rental suppliers waive the additional driver fees for spouses and domestic partners (and some members of their loyalty programs). Moreover, many states, such as New York, permit a main renter’s domestic partner to be automatically added as an authorized additional driver with no extra charge. That’s a good reason to check the terms and conditions before you head to the counter.
Insurance
The car rental counter may try to sell you insurance you don't need. If you're a good driver with full auto coverage, decline the agency's collision damage waiver or loss-damage waiver, which can add $30 a day or more to your rental costs. WalletHub recommends checking your credit card to see if it offers what is called a "collection and loss protection policy," which covers repairing damaged vehicles as well as associated fees, such as lost use. Many major cards cover rentals from traditional car-rental companies, and most offer coverage for up to 31 days.
Additional coverage is also available, including Supplemental Liability Protection, Personal Accident Insurance and Personal Effects Coverage. These typically add an additional $15 a day or more to your rental cost, but may provide valuable protection beyond what is covered by your personal auto insurance. These coverages include a lower deductible and may cover costs your insurance company doesn't pay, such as towing expenses and administrative fees.