Gone are the days when people rented cars only for visiting a party with family or to go on a weekend trip. Today cars are hired much more frequently and for many more purposes. As a result, the car hiring industry has experience a boom in the last few years. While airport rentals were once the main revenue earner, today it is the “home city” rental market or the trend of hiring cars from the locality that is more common.

There can be several reasons behind people opting for renting a vehicle from the neighborhood. One may need a comfortable hauler for going on a cross-country trip with family, or a large truck for moving across city, or a glamorous cruiser for a night out.

No matter if you are a home-city renter or an airport renter; you need to follow certain safety tips so that you can have a hassle-free car renting experience as well as be secure as far as your bank account is concerned.

1.      Do some online research

Just like you search the internet before buying a book, camera or mobile phone, do the same before getting yourself a car on hire. Doing so will give you an idea about the present rates in the market. This way you can lessen your chances of being over-charged by the vehicle-hire services. You also get to know in detail about the various vehicle-hiring companies and can choose the most credible one for getting the services required.

Besides, there are several companies that offer attractive discounts for people who hire online.

Searching online can also provide you with some other important information like the operating hours of the rental car service providers, when do they close on weekends, any available car rental deals etc. 

2.      Consider the insurance

When you rent a car, you will be offered a Loss Damage Waiver (LDW) and Collision Damage Waiver (CDW). The former covers the losses that may be caused to the rental company and the latter covers you in case an accident occurs. Both these policies are good, but not if they duplicate your personal insurance cover.  However, while you rent a car, the car rental company would provide you the PAI – Personal Accident Insurance as mandatory.

While most of the policies cover you in case you cause harm to someone in an accident, there are policies that cover the damages caused to the hired vehicle via collision or comprehensive policy. You should read your policy carefully or get in touch with your insurance agent to verify the policy before you sign the deal.

Another point that you must keep in mind is that CDW covers the losses of use, i.e., the charge imposed by the rental company for covering the lost income while the vehicle will remain out of service. So, if the policy does not cover the expenses you may have the pay for the expenses out of your own bank account in case you meet with an accident. 

3.      Don’t hire an ostentatious (expensive or flashy) car

Doing so attracts unnecessary attention, making you prone to theft and robbery. Instead choose a usual vehicle, which you have hand on experience.  When you choose your regular car model as a rental car, it gives the confident and would be a pleasure to drive.

4.      Ensure your hire vehicle is in proper condition

If the rented vehicle is not in proper shape you may get into trouble enroute. Suppose, your window wiper fluid is not working, then you may face problem while driving in turbulent weather. Before you accept the rental car, do some basic pre-checks to gauge the engine condition, windows functionality, brakes, seating adjustments, tyres, head and tail lamps, if there are any scratches in the body of the rental car, air-condition and insurance details.

Following these tips will surely help you keep car-rental hassles at bay.

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