Getting a good deal on your car rental is not an easy task, if you are not careful enough, you may end up spending a larger chunk of your entire holiday budget on car rental. Or on the other hand, you overshoot your budget and return home with debt.

Let’s cut the chase, as a ten-year veteran in the car rental field, here are some useful tricks you should really know;

Compare prices offered by different car rental companies

Different companies offer different prices, hence, before you settle for a car hiring service, first you should compare the prices and then pick the best option. There are different third-party platforms that will help you make a comparison of available prices, these platforms include; Cheap tickets, Priceline, Costco Travel, Kayak, and many more. Once you have signed in to any of these platforms, enter a pickup location, date, pick up time, and drop off time, then search. A result will come up with a comprehensive list of available companies, their prices, and car type, simply choose the company with the best offer.

Don’t fall victim to hidden Fees

Most times what is advertised by a car rental service is not the total cost of renting the vehicle. Car hiring companies are specialized in keeping hidden charges discreet until unsuspecting customer place orders. When you are making a comparison of available car hiring options, put hidden fees and extras into consideration. For example, Company A may charge $100 for renting a Toyota corolla while Company B charges $60 for the same car. However, after including hidden charges like; battery recovery fees, energy surcharge and vehicle licensing fees. After including these hidden fees, and extras the total cost of renting the Toyota Corolla from Company A may total $120 while company B may total $150. And you can cut your total cost by declining extras like GPS navigation, baby car sitter, satellite radio, an alternative to GPS navigation is your Google map. Don’t buy car rental excess insurance from the insurance company if you are already covered.

Avoid car rental excess insurance if you are already insured

Most times people end up spending money on the insurance that they don’t need, this money could be used for other things during your stay. If you already have a car insurance policy for your private car, or a travel insurance policy, then there is no need for buying insurance.  Your credit card also covers car rentals.  

Before you hire a car, check if you are already covered, if you are, then there is no need paying for car rental excess insurance. If you are not covered, consider buying third party car rental insurance to save cost. 

Typically, the most affordable and extensive solution is to purchase an independent 3rd party car rental excess waiver insurance. Car rental excess insurance can offer cover to areas such as damage to tyres, or shattered auto glass, and undercarriage damage. These items are commonly omitted from standard car rental insurance policies. Car hire excess insurance covers this initial cost for you, potentially saving you up to US$ 4,500.

Buy Third Party Car Rental Insurance

Most car hiring companies sell Car Rental Excess Insurance known as Collision Damage Waiver (CDW), this insurance coverage is expensive and overpriced. To save cost, buy from agents offering third party car rental insurance, they offer cheaper options. 

Avoid renting cars at airports

Alighting from a plane and renting a car almost immediately is very convenient, but you should be ready to pay more. Remember car hiring companies must pay the airport for doing business within their premises, so it is logical for car hire companies to increase the cost of hiring a car within the airport. If you want to save cost, avoid renting, look for other alternatives like; car hire companies located within the city or close to your hotel.   

Inspect the car before you drive-off

It is a tradition for staffs of the car hiring company to take a quick survey of the car before you drive-off; however, you must inspect the car by yourself. This is a preventive method; it protects you from paying for damage that you know nothing about. Before you drive off, thoroughly inspect the car, take note of every dent or scratch you may come across, if you have a smartphone, take pictures, or make videos. This will serve as evidence in case the company wants to charge you for the damage.  

Avoid pre-paid gas plans

Pre-paid gas plans never favors customers, before you return the car to the drop off location, ensure you stop by and fill the car tank. There’s no need to pay for the pre-paid gas plan when you can easily refill your tank from a nearby filling station. At the same time avoid filling stations that are close to the drop-off location because they may charge more due to the high demand. 

Wrap up

Staying in line and learning the tricks of the trade is better than having a first-hand experience of car rental pitfalls, so be sure to read about the hacks listed above and apply as it fits for you, they sure would help. 

Thanks for reading.