Avoid The Extra Fees
Rental cars are never a cheap proposition, and so it is especially important to avoid all the pit falls and extra fees that you should not have to worry about paying in the first place.
Many car rental companies will charge you with every fee that can put on the bill, so make sure to go through this checklist to help avoid paying fees that aren't your fault.
One of the first things to do is to avoid paying for previous damages to your rental car. When you pick up the car, examine it, look for any signs of scratches, dents, paint chips, or any other defects that are not mentioned on your rental car contract. This can be a huge factor.
If a couple of dents or scratches are conveniently left off your agreement, this could lead to hundreds of dollars in extra fees! Have a car rental representative detail every flaw in the car, both interior and exterior, on your contract before you drive away.
In addition to this, you should ask the representative to sign with their name, not initial, so the contract is easy to track down. This will establish the facts so that you won't be liable for the existing damages on the car when you return it.
Check out the car before you leave. If you see damage that is not on the form, request a car rental representative to see the car with you, and don't drive away until the contract is revised.
Do not assume that the car company will simply be helpful and understanding! Their job is to make as much money as possible, not to look the other way when damage shows up on a vehicle. If you don't report it, you will end up paying for it.
A lot of people feel embarrassed dragging a car rental representative out to check the car, but why should you be penalized what could literally be hundreds of dollars for something that wasn't your fault? Is not being embarrassed really worth up to $300 or more?
Make sure you start off on the right foot, otherwise who knows how much it might end up costing you? In addition, if you get hit for bogus charges, you would hope that the damages would go on the report and that the next person wouldn't suffer the same fate-but that is not always the case.
Another person after you might also get stuck with the bill if you don't stand up to the rental company then. While this is an experience that thankfully most people won't have, you have to be prepared for when it does.
Many car rental companies will charge you with every fee that can put on the bill, so make sure to go through this checklist to help avoid paying fees that aren't your fault.
One of the first things to do is to avoid paying for previous damages to your rental car. When you pick up the car, examine it, look for any signs of scratches, dents, paint chips, or any other defects that are not mentioned on your rental car contract. This can be a huge factor.
If a couple of dents or scratches are conveniently left off your agreement, this could lead to hundreds of dollars in extra fees! Have a car rental representative detail every flaw in the car, both interior and exterior, on your contract before you drive away.
In addition to this, you should ask the representative to sign with their name, not initial, so the contract is easy to track down. This will establish the facts so that you won't be liable for the existing damages on the car when you return it.
Check out the car before you leave. If you see damage that is not on the form, request a car rental representative to see the car with you, and don't drive away until the contract is revised.
Do not assume that the car company will simply be helpful and understanding! Their job is to make as much money as possible, not to look the other way when damage shows up on a vehicle. If you don't report it, you will end up paying for it.
A lot of people feel embarrassed dragging a car rental representative out to check the car, but why should you be penalized what could literally be hundreds of dollars for something that wasn't your fault? Is not being embarrassed really worth up to $300 or more?
Make sure you start off on the right foot, otherwise who knows how much it might end up costing you? In addition, if you get hit for bogus charges, you would hope that the damages would go on the report and that the next person wouldn't suffer the same fate-but that is not always the case.
Another person after you might also get stuck with the bill if you don't stand up to the rental company then. While this is an experience that thankfully most people won't have, you have to be prepared for when it does.