In this article, you will learn some useful tips for renting a car in America. We will talk about:
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What must be taken into account when renting;
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How can you save on;
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Which clauses of the contract should be read twice.
These rules are suitable for virtually any country, especially if you are looking for under 25 car rental Miami, this information will be useful to you. First of all, you need to read the car rental rules when booking on the Internet and in the office of the rental company, and carefully inspect the car for the slightest damage to the body, glass and interior during reception!
Basic rules that will allow you to save money on renting a car
You need to remember that the car is most profitable if you travel with a group of 3-4 people. Only in some countries is it justified to rent a car for two. For example, in the USA, where the distances are long, the price of renting one car is quite affordable. On the other hand, there are countries where public transport is so cheap that renting a car makes no sense.
If you want to save money, then you should choose an economy class car. Small cars cost 30% and even 50% cheaper, and also use less fuel. The cost of fuel is one of the expenses that must be evaluated simultaneously with the decision to rent a car.
Check the driver’s age and driving experience. Often, rental companies charge an additional fee of $10-$20/day if the driver is under 23 or 25 years old. Some do not rent a car to a driver under the age of 21. Sometimes they also look at the driving record – when the license was issued. However, today there are services that allow drivers under 25 to rent a car, such as the CARNGO service.
Choose profitable insurance. As a rule, insurance doubles or triples the rental amount. If you take full insurance, the amount will easily increase by $20. And then $30 per day doesn’t look so interesting. At the same time, insurance is important, because in the event of an accident or a stolen car, you will not have to pay out of your own pocket.
There are two approaches to making the insurance decision
If you are a confident driver with experience and if the country has disciplined traffic, you can not take insurance or take only basic insurance, which is often included in the rental price.
We need to underline that if you have little experience or you cannot be sure of the discipline of other drivers, for example, in some cities in Italy, Spain or in Asia, then it is worth insuring the car. In this case, any scratch or even a small dent is not scary, because the insurance will cover everything.
You can save on insurance by purchasing it from any insurance company, not a rental office, for example, in Ukraine. The only thing is that in the event of an accident, you will most likely have to pay first yourself, and then receive compensation from the insurance company.
Comprehensive insurance is a choice, not an obligation. The rental company can’t force you to take it if you don’t plan to.
Additional nuances that you need to pay attention to during renting a car
As a rule, when signing a lease agreement, a deposit in the amount of $150 to $2,000+ is additionally blocked on the bank card – it varies in different companies and countries.
The size of the deposit also depends on the selected type of insurance, usually if you have chosen full insurance, the size of the deposit will be smaller. The deposit is fully refundable if the car is not damaged. You should always check the amount of the deposit in advance and have the necessary funds on the card.
It is also important to think about the franchise in advance. This is the amount of money that you will have to pay yourself in case of an accident. The amount of the deductible can range from 0 to $2000+. For example, if the deductible is $200, then minor damage to the car up to this amount is paid by the renter, if more than this amount, then $200 is charged to the renter, and everything above – to the company. The lower the deductible, the more expensive the insurance policy.
Most often, cars are provided with a full tank of fuel. You need to return with a full tank. These are the most convenient conditions. If the tank is not full when the car is returned, it will be necessary to pay for the lack of fuel at inflated prices.
However, it is quite common to give a car with an empty tank and return with an empty one. As if the conditions are similar, but the driver will have to calculate how much to refuel in order to use all the gasoline at the end of the trip or put up with the part of fuel (and, therefore, funds) that remains in the car. If the terms and conditions specify a full tank return, you have the right to ask that the car be refueled or given another one with a full tank.
In addition, the longer the rental period, the lower the cost of the car for one day. Sometimes taking a car for 3 days costs as much as for a week. Therefore, it is often profitable to take a car at once for the entire trip at the airport, without spending extra money on a transfer to the city and back.
Time and place of receiving/returning the car. Usually, all companies work according to the following schedule: delivery and return in the morning until 12:00. If you pick up or return the car at a different time, there may be an additional fee or you will have to pay for the full day.
Automatic and manual gearbox. A manual box is always cheaper. However, after booking a manual car, you can often get an automatic one by simply asking at the rental company counter and without additional fees.
