|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
Anaheim Car Rentals
Anchorage Car Rentals
Aspen Car Rentals
Atlanta Car Rentals
Atlantic City Car Rentals
Baltimore Car Rentals
Birmingham Car Rentals
Boston Car Rentals
Branson Car Rentals
Chicago Car Rentals
Cincinnati Car Rentals
Dallas Car Rentals
Daytona Car Rentals
Denver Car Rentals
Detroit Car Rentals
Gatlinburg Car Rentals
Honolulu Car Rentals
Houston Car Rentals
Indianapolis Car Rentals
Jacksonville Car Rentals
Kansas City Car Rentals
Key West Car Rentals
Las Vegas Car Rentals
Los Angeles Car Rentals
Miami Car Rentals
Milwaukee Car Rentals
Minneapolis Car Rentals
Nashville Car Rentals
New Orleans Car Rentals
New York Car Rentals
Newark Car Rentals
Orlando Car Rentals
Philadelphia Car Rentals
Phoenix Car Rentals
Pigeon Forge Car Rentals
Pittsburgh Car Rentals
Portland Car Rentals
Reno Car Rentals
Salt Lake City Car Rentals
San Diego Car Rentals
San Francisco Car Rentals
Seattle Car Rentals
St. Louis Car Rentals
Tampa Car Rentals
Tempe Car Rentals
Virginia Beach Car Rentals
Washington DC Car Rentals
Other US City Car Rentals
Acapulco Car Rentals
Antigua Car Rentals
Aruba Car Rentals
Athens Car Rentals
Barcelona Car Rentals
Berlin Car Rentals
Brisbane Car Rentals
Brussels Car Rentals
Calgary Car Rentals
Cannes Car Rentals
Cape Town Car Rentals
Cozumel Car Rentals
Curacao Car Rentals
Dominican Car Rentals
Dublin Car Rentals
Edmonton Car Rentals
Frankfurt Car Rentals
Geneva Car Rentals
Guam Car Rentals
Halifax Car Rentals
London Car Rentals
Madrid Car Rentals
Mexico City Car Rentals
Monterrey Car Rentals
Montreal Car Rentals
Munich Car Rentals
Naples Car Rentals
Netherlands Car Rentals
Oslo Car Rentals
Ottawa Car Rentals
Paris Car Rentals
Rome Car Rentals
St. Maarten Car Rentals
Sydney Car Rentals
Tijuana Car Rentals
Toronto Car Rentals
Venice Car Rentals
Zurich Car Rentals
Other World City Car Rentals
Most renters will need to be above 25 years of age. Most renters will need a major credit card (not a debit card from your checking account). Alamo will let you use a Visa or Mastercard Debit card but may run a credit check on you. TIP #5 Reserving with Alamo or Dollar DOES NOT require a credit card at the time of reservation. You can find some agencies that will allow 18-25 year old drivers but expect the rates to jump for this situation. Similarly, you might find a smaller agency that will allow a cash deposit but it will probably be on the high side and might cause your rate to jump.
Secret #2 - Ask for a second key. Do you ever lose your keys at home? What makes you think you won't do the same with a rental car? Ask for a spare key and have someone else in your party carry it or keep it in your luggage. They won't charge you for it and you'll appreciate the peace of mind.
As for using that second key, an extra driver will almost always cost you more and leave you liable if they have an accident. Some companies may put your spouse on for free but be careful and read the fine print for protection of second drivers.
Before Renting and Before Returning
Before you leave, check out the car for dents and scratches. You would hate to be charged for something that was there when you started. Point out any problems with the attendant and let them make note of this. It'll keep you from spending unwanted money. And look at a map to figure out where to begin your driving. The workers on the lot know the major roads and can help you get your bearings. Also, make note of landmarks and exits near your pickup location and WRITE THEM DOWN so you can return your car without getting lost.
TIP #6 - FILL UP WITH GAS BEFORE RETURNING - and use the cheap stuff!! This is one of the most important tips. If you forget to refill, the price that you will be charged is HIGH HIGH HIGH compared to what it would have cost you to fill it up yourself. Buy it at the local 7-11 or Quiky Mart and put in the cheapest grade there. Some companies offer a refill protection but the average price will still be higher than doing it yourself.
Secret #3 - If they are out of the class car you want, ask for a free upgrade. The rate you made the reservation at is all you have committed to paying. If they really want your business (and trust me - they DO!), they will give you the next class car up for the same price. You know, the squeaky wheel and all that. Speak up and you may find yourself with a larger, nicer car for the nicer, smaller price. (This can also happen if they've run out of the small cars.)
When you reserve your car, ask the rental company if it charges a drop fee on a one-way trip. Company-owned offices may not charge it. Franchise operators may want a fee to ensure getting the car back. Otherwise, plan your trip to drop your car off where you picked it up.
Insurance - What's a LDW, CDW, PDW - YIKES!
Do I need insurance? According to online law site Nolo.com, people in the United States spend $1 billion a year on car-rental insurance -- unnecessarily in most cases. That's because you're likely covered by your regular car insurance in the event of an accident. Most of our British customers ask this ALL the time! Funny, most of our American customers don't opt for the insurance. I think it has to do with American insurance and the fact they you may be covered already. Your insurance may cover you for loss damage (LDW), collisions (CDW) and physical damage (PDW). That is probably ONLY in America. When you travel overseas, your coverage probably doesn't cover your rental car. It is never a BAD idea to get the insurance, it is certainly much cheaper if there was an accident, but it can raise your car rate by double depending on the location. If you get into an accident on your trip call the Auto Rental Company immediately to report the accident. In most cases, you will need to file a police report. As soon as you get home, notify your insurance agent of the accident to make sure you have filed all the necessary paperwork. Even if your auto insurance doesn't cover you in rentals (you'll need to check your policy), the credit card you used to rent the car might cover collision costs
Here is a list of the coverages you can usually purchase:
LDW - (sometimes called CDW) - Stands for Loss Damage Waiver. Protects you from loss or damage to the rental vehicle itself. Coverage may be offered that partially protects you from loss as well.
SLI - Stands for supplemental liability insurance. Primary Liability coverage up to pre-determined limits for claims by third parties for bodily injury and property damage.
PAI/PEC - Stands for Personal Accident Insurance and Personal Effects Coverage. Sometimes sold together, sometimes separately. PAI covers the holder in the event of accidental death or injury during the rental up to predetermined limits. PEC covers theft or damage, up to predetermined limits, to the personal effects owned by the renter.
Theft Protection - Sometimes sold separately then LDW. Protects the renter from the loss of the rental vehicle due to theft. Check with the auto rental company to see if this is included in LDW before purchasing.
|
Page 1 Page 2 |