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Car Rental Tips

Once there was a time when people rented vehicles primarily for their vacation transportation needs. But things have changed. Over the years, the vehicle rental industry has grown manifold, the most recent estimates (for 2008) shows that the annual car rental revenue totalled a whopping $21.9 billion.

For a long time, airport rentals have been the main revenue driver but that segment seems to be fading out for some time now. The rental industry is seeing a new phenomenon called “home-city” which means renting from a neighbourhood location.

Vehicle renting from a neighbourhood location can serve a number of your purposes. Right from house shifting, to a cross-country family road trip to a weekend shopping for furniture, neighbourhood vehicles rentals come very handy. You may also add to your glamour quotient with a high-end cruiser for a sophisticated night-out.

Whatever the occasion, car rentals rescue you from quite a few tricky situations. We bring to you a list of tips and advice that will help your car rental experience as comfortable as possible.

Time to Surf Some Internet

As is the case with most of the purchases these days, online market research can be big help while deciding on your car rental. This not only lets you compare the rates, but also spares you the inconvenience of visiting the rental companies personally. Besides, it also gives you an idea of the rates that your desired car charges.

Many companies also offer special discounts to people who book the rentals online. Rates of the rental would vary depending on a number of factors including vehicle availability, location and the rental company itself. But online research can definitely come as a blessing in disguise.

Weekend Special

You can plan your outing on weekends. Vehicle rental rates are relatively cheaper on the weekends. According to surveys, weekend prices plummet down to a very significant amount. If you can get some flexibility with your rental arrangements, opt for weekends. Your cheque book will thank you.

Week-long Bookings

Weekend rates are, no doubt, great. But weekly rates are attractive too. A weekly vehicle booking can save you precious little amount of money. If you plan to rent a vehicle for five days or more, then it is advisable to opt for a weekly rental.

Be Careful About the Insurance

When you rent a car, usually you are covered under the car insurance. But check if they duplicate the coverage already included in your personal insurance policy. Most insurance policies offer liability coverage to protect you in case of an accident. It is advisable to check with your insurance agent to verify coverage before you sign up for a car rental.

Book Well Ahead of Time

May sound cliched, but it is the truth. The early bird not only gets the best worms but also gets it a cheaper rate. Rates of rental depend on the number of vehicles that the company has at a given time, and the earlier you book the cheaper you get it. You can try to book your car at least a week in advance.

Prepaid fuel? Think Twice

When you rent a vehicle, typically there are two options when it comes to fuel: either you pay for a full tank and return the vehicle with an empty tank or you can refuel it yourself just before you return it. Rental car companies would suggest that you pay for the fuel in advance for added convenience. The convenience part is apt but that you would end up paying for more fuel than you would actually use. So you need to be careful in that department.

Stay Away from Airport Pick-ups

Renting a taxi at the airport can prove to be expensive because of taxes and fees. Try looking around the nearby locations in order to save money. A recent study has shown that renting at an airport costs about 11.5 percent more on average than renting at a neighbourhood location.

Become a Member

Many of the car rental companies have membership facilities where you can pay a yearly fee and take advantage of the privileges offered only to the members. These memberships can save you money with specials like free rental days and airline miles. But then, memberships can be beneficial to those who travel a lot and use rental vehicles more than often.

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