First Time Renters? 5 Things not to do When Renting a Car

If you plan on traveling at any point in your life, you will have to master the skill of renting a car. People tend to think that it’s an easy experience but those people are most certainly not getting the best deal they possibly can. Here are a few things not to do when you rent cars – it is expensive enough without making mistakes.

Do not rent from the first company that you call.

Automobile rentals are getting more expensive by the year. However, you may be able to leverage a better car for less money if you are willing to call around before you actually have to make the trip. This type of shopping around can end up saving you tons of money.

Do not rent your car at the airport when you land.

Airports have the highest prices on cars. They know that when you land, you have very little choice about your transportation situation. There are too many options for renting cars online – make sure that you avail yourself of these resources so that you do not end up paying the convenience premium at airline hubs charge.

Do not rent the most expensive thing that you find.

If you have a certain budget for automobile rentals, do not pop it out on the base price of your vehicle. You will most certainly need extra money for the maintenance of the car as well as possible insurance, depending on where you are traveling. Also, let’s not forget gas money! The larger car you get, the worse gas mileage you will receive. You never know if you’re going to be stuck in traffic or lose your way around town. Give yourself a money buffer.

Do not ever choose the option to let the automobile company refill the tank.

Automobile companies makes quite a bit on consumers who allow them to fill the tank upon returning the vehicle. They will sometimes charge 2 to 3 times the amount per gallon that gas costs on the marketplace. Always refill the tank yourself before you take the car back in.

Do not buy insurance if you already have rental car insurance coverage from your own auto insurance company.

Make sure you know if you have coverage for rental cars on your own automobile insurance policy. If you do, then you do not need the overpriced insurance that rental car companies try to sell you at every turn. Policies that you may already have available will often cover you even if upgrade to a “better” or more expensive car than the one you are currently covering.

Renting a car can be quite expensive ordeal; however, it does not have to cost you an arm and a leg. Follow the tips above for the best experience in renting a car, and be safe on the road while you are driving.

Meghan Belnap is a freelance writer who enjoys spending time with her family. She also enjoys being in the outdoors and exploring new opportunities whenever they arise as well as researching new topics to expand her horizons. You can often find her buried in a good book or out looking for an adventure. Meghan recommends renting a vehicle from Jamieson Car and Truck Rental to make your renting experience exceptionally easier.