Budget Car Rental

Spend some time checking cars and rates online. If you book well in advance of when you need the car, you can continue checking and cancel your reservation if you later find a better deal.

Be aware that taxes and other fees, which can total a considerable percentage of what you pay for a rental, will be added to the rate you are quoted. Look into renting from other than an airport site to see if that will save money.

Find out in advance what your own automobile insurance or the credit card you will use to pay for the rental will cover on your rental car. If coverage is adequate, you may not want to add the further expense of loss damage waiver offered by the rental company.

Review the rental car company’s terms of rental online before you pick up the car. Though they may be lengthy, they may include information you need to know. For example, in California, if your rental car is stolen during the time you rent it, you may not be liable unless you can be shown to have failed to exercise ordinary care. But you are also required to file a report of the theft with the local policy within 24 hours of learning of the theft.

If you need to pick up your car in a hurry, consider signing up for car rental companies’ frequent-user programs. These programs allow their members to bypass the checkout counter go directly to the car reserved for them.

Look the car over carefully before you drive off in it. Make sure the tires and any other obvious equipment is in good condition. If you see any dents, scratches, or other body damage, have it noted on your contract so that you won’t be held liable for it after you turn the car in. If you have a camera, take photos of any damage before you leave the lot.