Planning a trip? There’s so much to think about and do before getting out of town. After all of your research about the best hotels in San Diego, you may have forgotten about renting a car, too. If you’ve never rented a car before, you may have a lot of questions and concerns. Read on for everything you need to know as a first-time renter.
7 Tips for Renting a Car for the First Time
1. To avoid any surprises, make sure you’re clear on the rental agency’s policies, including surcharges, policies about mileage, and insurance options. A lot of car rental agencies have hidden fees for adding secondary drivers, making trips out of the state, going overage on mileage, and more.
2. Bring your driver’s license. In order to rent a car in the U.S., you need a state-issued driver’s license. Aside from showing the agency that you’re legally allowed to drive, it also provides proof of age. At most agencies, renters have to be at least 21 to rent a car on their own. Plus, up to the age of 24, renters have to pay an extra fee. Check with the agency beforehand to find out if you need a driver’s license from the state in which you’re renting the car.
3. Have an active credit card. Even if you already have a reservation, you’ll still need a credit card when you pick up the car. Plus, the name on the credit card has to match your driver’s license. Make sure that you have a credit card, not a debit card, or at least a debit card with credit card logos. The card will have a hold on it for insurance reasons.
4. Figure out which car insurance to use. The car rental agency will offer you insurance, but this isn’t always the best option. If your personal auto insurance covers rentals, you don’t necessarily need the agency’s insurance. If you need the car for a business trip, talk to your employer beforehand. If you don’t opt for the agency’s insurance and you also don’t have any insurance on your side, you’ll be responsible for paying the damages in the event of an accident.
5. Every car agency is different. To avoid problems, contact them ahead of time to find out exactly which documents you’ll need to bring with you. Ideally, do this before even booking the rental. If they have a requirement that you can’t meet, you won’t lose money in the process.
6. Whenever you rent a car, make sure to get everything in writing, and to get a copy of all documents. Keep these on you during your trip and file them away for a few months afterward, too. If you notice an unexpected charge on your credit card bill, you’ll have the paperwork to refer to.
7. Before leaving the parking lot of the agency, thoroughly check both the inside and outside of the car for damage. Point out these areas to the agent and take pictures. You shouldn’t be held liable for damage that was already there.
By having everything squared away ahead of time, you won’t delay your trip because of trouble at the rental counter.
This article was contributed by Fiona Moriarty of Hipmunk, a travel website that offers customers a fast and easy way to find the best travel deals.
