Car Rentals: 5 Tips to Avoid Hidden Fees

Renting a car doesn’t have to be so taxing or expensive. If you are savvy about how you approach the process of picking up the car you want at the price you want to pay it can be a simple and pleasurable experience.

If you are heading to Chicago for example, searching O’Hare car rental will reveal some useful resources for getting you mobile and on your way in next to no time. In addition, if you follow these good-to-know car rental tips you will be able to navigate your way around the paperwork and avoid some of the hidden fees that can be an aspect of the car rental process.

What You Need To Know About Insurance

One of the biggest aspects of renting a car that can impact your costs is arranging insurance. You obviously need the right coverage so that you are not out of pocket if something goes wrong, but what is the best option?

Generally speaking, your best option is to skip some of the rental car insurance options that you are likely to be offered.

You could easily end up paying as much as $30 extra per day for insurance coverage you either don’t need or could get cheaper elsewhere.

You will usually be offered collision damage waiver, personal accident, and personal effects coverage. Check whether your current auto insurance already provides this cover. You can also find that credit cards and some membership benefits include rental car insurance, or substantial discounts on the cost.

Check all your options before signing for insurance coverage you don’t need or could get cheaper elsewhere.

Take Time To Inspect The Rental Car Before Signing For Its Condition

Even minor damage can end up costing you more money than you envisage, especially if you didn’t cause it in the first place.

Be sure to inspect the car, inside and out, and take your own photos to corroborate the condition of the vehicle at the point of rental. This could save you big money if the rental company tries to claim for damage when you return the car.

Arrange Your Rental Before You Arrive

Turning up at the airport rental desk without a booking makes you an easy target for overcharging. As well as knowing you need a car and don’t have too many options to shop around, they may end up charging top dollar to enhance their commission on the deal.

Your best bet is to sort out your rental beforehand. It will be cheaper and easier to collect your car with a prior booking.

Do You Need A Child’s Car Seat?

The cost of hiring a child car seat can easily add as much as $15 per day to your rental costs. It can usually work out much cheaper to either bring your own car seat, which you know will fit perfectly, or even buy one when you reach your destination. 

Is The Mileage Limit Enough For Your Needs?

If you are planning to travel some distance in your rental car it would be smart to check what the daily mileage limits are on your rental agreement.

Some rentals offer unlimited mileage. However, some rental contracts stipulate something like 100 miles per day, for example. If you exceed this number you could end up paying something like $0.35 for every extra mile you do. That could soon become an expensive drive.

These are some of the ways you can avoid hidden or unexpected car rental fees. Take time to check all the terms and conditions of your rental agreement before signing and getting behind the wheel.

As long as you are savvy about knowing how to keep car rental costs down you should be able to get a deal that suits your budget and gives you peace of mind that you are going to be subjected to some hefty and unwelcome extra charges.