Renting a car is a great way to get around while traveling. It saves a considerable amount of time that would otherwise be spent trying to figure out an unfamiliar public transportation system (and then waiting for buses, trains, etc. to arrive), and it can also save a lot of money that would be spent on taxis and car services. The good news is that there are more options than ever for car rentals these days, and because of this the deals are frequent. The top three places to find deals on car rentals include Autorentals.com, Alamo, and Enterprise. In order to find the right car to fit your budget and travel needs, here are the questions that should be asked.
This policy actually comes from the state, not the car companies themselves. In most states, you have to be at least 20 or 21 years old to rent a car, although in Michigan and New York the minimum age is 18. Nevertheless, the vast majority of car companies charge additional fees to drivers who are under 26 years of age.
If you're traveling with someone, it might be a good idea to decide ahead of time who will be driving the rental vehicle and stick to that throughout the trip. This is because just about every car rental companies applies additional fees for each driver that is added on to the rental agreement. Likewise, anyone who drives the vehicle who is not on the rental agreement will not be covered by any insurance or damage-protection that come with it.
This will depend entirely on your preferences, the length of the trip and the terrain you will be driving on. It can be tempting to go with a small compact car because this type is generally the cheapest to rent. However, it may not be the best choice for longer road trips or those that will be driving through inclement weather or doing any off-roading. The good news is that most car companies have expanded their lineups considerably over the decades, and many now offer a wide range of mid-size SUVs and crossovers as well as larger vehicles.
If you're looking for a small rental, the best deals are currently on AutoRentals.com (starting at just $5 a day) and Economy Rent a Car (as low as $4 a day). It is also worth noting that Budget Car Rental offers 30 percent off to new customers and also regularly has coupons for $10 and up to $25 off its car rentals.
CarRentals.com is currently offering a fullsize SUV (Ford Explorer or similar) for as low as $12 a day (normally over $15 a day), and both Alamo and Enterprise are offering SUVs for as low as $12.50 a day, with additional member discounts available.
If you're moving and need a truck, van or attachment to your regular vehicle (or rental car), Enterprise, U-Haul and Penske offer the widest selection. Deals vary, although Penske in particular is currently offering 10 percent off on one-way moving trips.
Travel websites like Expedia, Hotwire.com and Kayak offer car rentals, and this can actually be a great way to save money when they are purchased as an "add on" to an already booked trip. For example, Expedia has special prices available for members that can be as low as $4 a day for car rentals, and Hotwire.com and Kayak both offer car rentals regularly for around 40 and 50 percent off. The other good thing about these websites is that they allow users to browse through potential rentals and sort by company, price and vehicle type, allowing them to compare a lot of different options at once.
In order to rent a car, you'll need to have insurance. Some rental companies make it possible for you to buy a temporary insurance policy through them that can be used in the event of an accident, while others have a flat fee that you pay for insurance. Some companies also allow you to apply your own car insurance toward the rental. Either way, it is illegal for you to drive in most places without having proof of insurance.