Daytona Rental Cars

Flying is slowly becoming a pastime of the wealthy, just like it in the fifties and sixties. With the increase in fuel prices, failures of airlines and the general malaise of the travel industry, it’s no surprise that many of us are going on “staycations” or driving places more. Even though the increased fuel prices affects motoring too.

If you are planning on driving instead of flying this holiday, and are planning on renting a car to do it, then we have a few tips to help you save some money. Spending a little time and effort preparing and researching the best deals will save you time and money when it comes to the holiday.

First tip is to research. Use the internet to compare prices and deals and weed out the most expensive. The car rental business is a cutthroat one, and there will always be a company trying to better all the others with a special offer or deal. Bear in mind the time of year you’re going, the type of vehicle you’re going to need and how far you plan to drive. All these factors will influence the cost of the hire. Researching, and booking online should ensure you get the exact car you want, booked in advance. All of the details will already be in the company’s system so the check out process should be much quicker. Just make sure you read all of the small print and take all the required documents with you when you go.

It’s also worth checking to see if your own insurance company will cover the rental. This can often cost much less than having the car rental company’s own insurance and offer automatic CDW or Collision Damage Waiver, which renters charge for.

Before signing the contract, read it carefully. Some companies are not above adding small print that ends up costing money. Don’t leave yourself open to a surprise when you try and return the car. Make sure things like excess mileage, cleaning costs and any other charges are clear and you’re happy with them before putting your mark to paper.

When collecting your car, before you even get into it ensure the odometer says what the condition sheet says. Not implying that the company would attempt to rip you off, but mistakes can happen. If a discrepancy isn’t picked up, you will be paying for that mistake. The same applies to the condition. Ensure that any scratches, bumps chips or any other marking on the car is marked down on the condition sheet. Checking this before you leave the rental yard could also save you money.

Following these simple tips should prevent you spending money needlessly and protect you from any administrative mistakes or sneaky small print. Hopefully ensuring your holiday is as stress free and as enjoyable as possible. Car rental isn’t a complicated business, neither is it difficult to arrange. With a little research and attention before time it can be as easy as anything, and nowhere near as expensive as it may initially have been.