Whether you're going on a vacation or a business trip, renting a car is one of the easiest ways to ensure that you have reliable transportation when you reach your destination. Renting a car is typically simple to do, but there are some details involved that not everyone may be aware of. Use the following tips the next time you rent a car:
Know That There are Age Restrictions
Car rental companies take a certain amount of risk when renting out their vehicles, so many car rental companies require that the driver of the car be at least 25 years old. This can make it tricky for young adults to rent a car, but there are some smaller car rental companies that will rent vehicles to adults under the age of 25. You may also want to contact major car rental companies directly if you are under the age of 25 and would like to rent a car; some branches may rent to younger drivers with an excellent driving record for an extra fee.
Having a Credit Card Makes the Process Easier
The vast majority of car rental companies require the driver of a rental vehicle to have a valid credit card with available credit when renting a car. You can pay for the rental however you would like, but your card will be authorized with a damage deposit when the vehicle is rented. Do not confuse a major credit card with a debit card; in the eyes of a car rental company they are not the same thing. Due to the growing popularity of using debit cards, some major car rental agencies will accept a debit card in lieu of a major credit card, but they will often put a hold of several hundred dollars on your checking account, and you will not have access to those funds until after the vehicle is returned. In addition, a car rental agency may elect to run a credit check on drivers using a debit card instead of a credit card.
Understand Your Insurance Options
Major car rental companies offer a variety of insurance options that you can purchases for the duration of your rental. But in some cases, you may already have car rental insurance through your personal auto insurance policy, or through your credit card. Before picking up your rental car, call your insurance carrier or credit card company to confirm that you have coverage; if you don't, purchase the insurance from the car rental agency to protect yourself in the event of an accident or damage to the rental vehicle.
Share23 February 2015
Understanding more about the type of car that you have can help you understand the best ways to maintain it, and how to tell if there’s trouble brewing under the hood before you end up stranded. That’s why, when I found a car make that I liked, I kept going back to it every time I bought a new car. It’s also why I use a mechanic that specializes in repairing and maintaining cars made by my specific manufacturer type. Over the years, I’ve learned so much about what makes this particular car work, and what kind of quirks come with this type of vehicle. I started this blog to share some of that information and help other car owners learn to effectively maintain their automobiles and recognize the potential signs of trouble.
