There are many reasons to rent a vehicle in addition to needing transportation while on vacation or traveling for work. It is also an option when a vehicle is being repaired or when a larger car or truck is needed for a particular project. The main car rental providers are Avis, National, Budget, Enterprise, and Hertz. In many locations, there are also regional outlets that provide even further discounts to their rates. Renting a car is another service that has benefitted from improvements in technology and innovations, and now offers a nearly seamless process. There are also loyalty programs offered by rental companies that can provide significant discounts and upgrades the more often the company is utilized for car rental. Most airlines have relationships with the major car rental companies and provide special discounts when their services are bundled with those of a car rental company.
Rental car companies offer many discounts and other incentives to their loyalty program customers. Every company is different, and depending on the amount of travel and home base area, there are programs for every type of travelers.
Not all car rental companies require all drivers to be 25 as they have in recent years. However, for those companies that allow younger drivers, there is typically an additional fee. It will also be necessary to double check that the current auto insurance policy covers rental cars for younger drivers.
Many insurance policies do contain clauses for reimbursement of the cost of replacement vehicles in the event of an accident. Typically this is not standard coverage but something contained within a policy rider. This coverage is very convenient and great to have in the event of an automobile accident.
The cost of a rental from varying car rental locations will be affected by the number of competitors in the area, the amount of inventory the company typically keeps at each location, and the ease of travel between car rental outposts. If an airport is the only car rental location in a given area it will raise its prices accordingly. Many airports also charge additional taxes and fees for vehicles rented from their locations. It is best to compare costs on a location basis.
Many car rental companies allow all members of an immediate family to drive the car, while others charge an additional fee for more than one authorized driver. It is always a good idea to check this policy prior to making a reservation to avoid confusion.
The insurance claim filing process is the same whether there is an owned or rented vehicle involved. There will need to be an accident report filed and an insurance claim made. One additional step is the immediate notification of the rental car company.
Many car insurance policies cover rental cars for their customers. Additionally, a lot of credit card companies will offer protection for any rental cars booked using their card. It is always advisable to double check with both the insurance company and the credit card company as well as the rental company to ensure full coverage.
First, check the average price of gas, there are even websites such as Gas Buddy that compile this information. If the price offered by the rental company is comparable to the local price it makes sense to pre-pay for the gas. There is also a convenience factor involved, and many customers who have an early flight or similar time constraints will almost always choose to purchase the pre-paid gas.