Money Saving Tips When Renting a Car for Travel

Whether you’re taking a road trip or you need a ride to get around once you’ve arrived at your destination, car rentals are a common staple when traveling. Renting a car provides you with the freedom and flexibility to get around during travel. A lot easier than putting thousands of miles on your own car and often more convenient than public transportation, a rental can make your trip a lot easier and more affordable. That is if you know how to find the best deals and more importantly, how to avoid unnecessary costs. Below are a few money-saving tips to keep in mind.

Use Comparison Sites to Find Deals

There are literally thousands of car rental agencies to choose from. However, many travelers miss out on savings by opting for big brands that often charge more. To ensure that you’re getting the best deal on your rental, it is recommended that you use a comparison site. There are travel sites where you can compare the cost of car rentals from several agencies in the area you live in and/or are traveling to. Select the company who not only has the lowest price but that offers other incentives like unlimited mileage, weekday deals, or multi-day deals.

Decline Insurance Coverage

Auto rental companies have to protect their investments. Therefore, they are required to make sure that those driving the vehicle have adequate insurance coverage. If you have your own insurance, there really isn’t any need to pay the additional daily fee for their insurance as well. Just be sure to check that your insurance policy covers rentals. If you need insurance, it may still be cheaper to get your own and find a company like assurance offers sr22 quotes, liability insurance quotes, and full-coverage insurance quotes.

Be Mindful of the Location

For those who need a rental car once they touch down from the airport, you may want to reconsider selecting a pickup location within the airport. Such locations tend to charge more for their rentals. Try to find a car rental agency that’s not far from the airport or your hotel to save on daily rates.

Ask About Membership Discounts

There are a lot of car rental places that will provide a discount to members of certain organizations. If you’re a government employee, subscribe to AAA, or have a membership with a club like Costco or BJ’s, for example, you can receive a percentage off your costs.

Don’t Let Others Drive

Unless you plan on taking a road trip which would require you to switch off with another driver after a few hours, it is best to stick to one driver. Car rental companies will charge an extra daily fee per driver.

Fuel Up Before Returning

Though some car rental companies offer fuel service, the rates may not be as affordable as getting gas yourself. Before returning the rental car, make sure that you put the gas back to the level it was when you received it. If not, you’ll be charged a hefty fee for the fuel and inconvenience to the rental company.

Getting a ride for your next vacation has a lot of perks. You can come and go as you please, you can save money on the cost of public transportation, and if you road tripping it, you can prevent your personal vehicle from wear and tear. To make sure that you take advantage of each of these benefits, it’s imperative to be wise when selecting your rental car. By keeping these tips in mind during your search, you’re sure to save a ton of money that can be used for your vacation.

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