When you are traveling to another country, many of us want to explore the area and take in some new sights, which is why it makes sense to rent a car so that you can get around more easily. Four of my best travel tips to know of before getting a car rental abroad. In this blog post, you will find information about car rental.
The problems come when you get into difficulties with your car and end up making a mistake that involves making a call to someone like wrongfuelincarrecovery.co.uk, if you have made the classic error of mistaking diesel for petrol, as an example of what can go wrong.
There are a whole host of things relating to car rental in another country that could be a big help, from getting the best rates, to what to do when something goes wrong.
Photo by: Carsten Schertzer
Car Rental in Another Country: Smart and Safe Tips
Plan your trip
If you have decided to rent a car when you go abroad, one of the best ways to ensure that you don’t pay over the odds, is to book your car rental in advance.
You will find that rental rates are almost always higher if you turn up at the car rental counter rather than book in advance online or over the phone.
By booking in advance, you also get the chance to compare the deals between different sites, so that you can find the best price for your car rental and even haggle for a better deal. Be careful to check for any hidden clauses or extras that could bump the price up unexpectedly.
When you plan your Manila car rental, or wherever it is you are going to be heading off, in advance before you even leave home, you not only get the best chance to secure a good deal, you can also be more certain that the price you are paying is fair and that there are no nasty surprises when you pick up the keys.
If you’re renting a small car, click here for the best convertible car seats.
Licensed to drive
The vast majority of countries will accept an international drivers license, if you are only going to be driving for a limited period of time in their jurisdiction.
It is advisable to check whether the country you are going to will recognize your license, or whether you will need the backup of an International Driving Permit. The car rental company should be able to advise you on this matter, or if you are unsure, check with your consulate or embassy for clarification.
Insurance cover
If you are renting a car almost anywhere in Europe, you will discover that all European rental companies are obliged by law to protect themselves and you the rental customer, with suitable third-party liability insurance cover.
How the insurance deal works, is that the rental company covers you for damage to persons and property outside of your vehicle, whilst you will be expected to pay for insurance that covers you for theft or damage to the car while it is in your possession.
This type of cover is referred to as Collision Damage Waiver (CDW). This is one area of rental company practices that often draws the most criticism, with examples of some charging exorbitant or disproportionate fees for this cover.
The general approach it seems, is to try and worry you into buying expensive add-ons in order to avoid having to pay a large sum over if you do have an accident.
Be careful when arranging insurance cover and check the terms carefully.
Pricey extras
On the subject of pricey extras, you might find that the cost of a satnav is extra, and you could also be charged for a child’s car seat if you want one.
Some of the main car hire operators seem to charge a weekly fee for a satnav that is about the same price as actually buying one yourself, and very often you can buy one cheaper than paying for it as an extra. Alternatively, if you have a smartphone, use the maps app on that to get around.
Taking a car seat with you might seem very inconvenient, but you might find that some airlines don’t charge you to take one on board, or only make a small charge. If you are picking up a car straight from the airport, it makes sense to bring your own child seat that you know is the right one for your child, rather than hire one, which will cost you extra anyway.
One last tip to consider also is, in order to avoid the prospect of a dispute and your credit card being charged for damage you disagree with, make sure you take some photos of the vehicle when you pick it up.
Enjoy the freedom of car rental in another country by all means, just make sure you follow some smart and safe strategies, so that you can enjoy greater peace of mind.
Check this out if you would like to have a guide on how to decide between private transport and a car rental.
