The car rental company will give you a short report on the condition of the car, but take pictures before leaving if you want extra security about any small dents or scratches that may have already been on the vehicle. Rental car drop-off When it’s time to return the car, refill the gas if you need to, clean up, and hand over the keys by the agreed upon time. You don’t want to risk any extra costs from missing your return time. Finally, get confirmation that you returned the car in the same condition as when you picked it up, and get a receipt. Plan your route in advance to ensure you arrive on time or even a bit earlier Choose the closest gas station to the return location to refill the car on the way Once you arrive, take some photos of the car inside and out in case you decide to dispute any potential damage charges.
Double-check all compartments and make sure you have taken out all your belongings. Ensure you leave the car in the state you picked it up in. If you return the car dirty, the rental company may impose extra charges to have the car cleaned to a professional standard. How rental car pick-ups and returns work How to get a cheap car rental How to get a cheap car rental answers the question of how to rent a car, but you’re probably still curious about the best way to get a cheap car rental. The most important thing is to book ahead. Booking two weeks ahead of time typically has the best deals, but you should check a month in advance first and check regularly as the date gets closer. If you’re traveling with passengers, it’s more comfortable to split driving time with another person, but additional drivers mean additional fees. Check to see if your rental agency offers a free second driver, or if you can add a second driver for specific days instead of the entire journey. You can also try your luck at getting car rental coupons from rental agencies by signing up for their mailing lists and joining membership programs. These coupons may come around periodically during major holidays or during the off season.
Once you’re out on the road with your rental, make sure you fill up the tank before dropping it off. The price you pay at a gas station to do it yourself is cheaper than the price the rental company will charge for the same amount of gas. Check out our article on getting a cheap car rental for all of our insider tips. How booking works You may already know that you can only rent a car with a credit card, and not a debit card. This is because car rental companies like to charge the deposit amount up front, and refund you when you return the car safely. With that said, there are exceptions to this rule, but it’s not common. If you find a rental agency that accepts debit card, you must have enough money to cover the entire cost of the rental up front.
Check out our article on car rental payments to learn more. Inspect your rental car before driving. How to pick the right car rental insurance Every rental car company offers a range of policies when booking, which include the following varieties in the US and Canada: Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) This is for any costs if the rental car gets damaged or stolen within the conditions of the contract. Your existing car insurance or a premium credit card offers this already, so check your policies before paying extra for this coverage.
Car Hire Dar Es SalaamSupplemental Liability Protection (SLP) This is for additional liability coverage for claims made by third parties against you. Personal Accident Insurance (PAI) This is for medical and death benefits for the driver and passengers in the event of an accident. Your existing health, life, and car insurance policies may offer some degree of this already. Personal Effects Coverage (PEC) This is for theft of personal items in a rental car up to $1,500. Read more about rental car insurance types in our guide to rental car insurance.
Car Rental Insurance When you rent a car, it’s best to get car rental insurance. This guide covers where to buy insurance from, what type of coverage to get, and what those policies cover. Is insurance needed? Insurance coverage FAQ Where to get insurance Insurance types Do I need car rental insurance? The short answer is: yes, you definitely need it! The tricky part is knowing what type of insurance you need, where to get it, and what different policies cover.
There are many different types of rental car insurance coverage, deciding which one to take depends on the level of protection you would like to obtain; some cover only the vehicle you rented, others also cover injuries or damage caused to others or to yourself and your passengers. The car rental company you select will clearly mention in their terms and conditions which type of insurance is mandatory according to their own policy and local legislation. Keep in mind that car rental companies tend to recommend additional coverage, so determining what’s necessary and what’s extra in advance can help you choose what’s best for you. If you’re looking for budget-friendly options, make sure to verify the coverage of the insurance policies you already have to potentially save money. For example, go through your own car insurance, your personal insurance or the car rental insurance benefits included in your credit card, and check if any of those are compatible with the requirements of the car rental company you selected.