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RENTAL CARS -
Getting The Best Rental Rates (continued)
b. Once you think you have found your best rate, try making a few calls to competing
rental companies to both their national 800-
c. Make sure to investigate any special deals that are being offered before making your decision. But beware of certain blackout dates that may apply. Also, see if you have any discounts available. These can be available from a myriad of sources including employers, credit cards, associations, coupons, airlines, travel clubs, etc. Or just ask the rental car company.
d. If you have accumulated miles from previous car rentals, you may be able to use them for free or reduced rentals, but make sure to check out if there are any black out dates for the location of your rental. Points from airline travel or hotel stays may also be able to be used for car rentals, although the points may be worth more if redeemed for air travel or hotels. In any case, make sure you join the car rental company’s loyalty program to get more points to be used in the future.
e. If your driving record is not good, or a secondary driver you want assigned to
the vehicle has a poor driving record, ask ahead of time if they check driving records
at the rental counter. If so, make sure you will not have any problems. It is not
real unusual for someone to get to the check-
f. When you go to check in, before you tell them you have a reservation, ask them what their rates are for the type of car you want to rent, or if they have any special deals. Often, if they have a surplus of cars, they will offer an extremely low rate at the counter. If it is better than your reservation rate, tell them you will take the counter deal and to cancel your reservation.
One of the mysteries of renting a car is whether you should purchase the different types of insurance coverage offered by the rental car companies. Whether you need the coverage depends on two things. First, if you do run into a problem, and there is a financial loss, can you afford to absorb the type of loss incurred, or are you more comfortable in being covered for the loss. Second, if you do not purchase the coverage from the rental company, are you already covered through other sources. You will be surprised at how often you are already covered for any potential loss, at no additional cost, if you just take a few easy steps to make sure the coverage is there.
1. Collision damage waiver or “CDW.” This coverage provides that the rental
company will pay in full for any damage to the vehicle or vehicle theft, usually
without any deductibles. If you decline the waiver and do not pay for the coverage,
and there is damage to the vehicle or it is stolen, you will be responsible to pay
for the damage and theft. If you do choose this coverage, it will normally cost
$10-
a. Your own auto insurance policy that you carry on your cars at home may already
provide coverage for damage or theft of the rental vehicle, just like it does for
the vehicles you own. Make sure you check with your insurance company or agent to
determine if this is the case. If you are covered, it generally works like this.
If you carry collision coverage on your own vehicles, your rental car will also
be covered for collision damage, but your deductible will apply. If you have comprehensive
coverage, your rental car will also be covered for non-
b. If you are not covered for rental vehicle damage under your own auto insurance policy, and you rent the vehicle using a credit card that provides vehicle coverage (most national cards like Visa and MasterCard provide this coverage) the credit card company will pay for the cost of any damages or theft of the rental vehicle. And, generally they will pay all the costs (with perhaps a few exceptions), without any deductibles. However, they will not provide any coverage if you purchased the CDW. They will also not cover the damage if the cost of the damage is covered under any other existing policies, such as your own auto policy. But, after your own auto policy covers damages, the credit card company generally will reimburse you for any deductibles charged by your insurance company, and will cover any losses not covered by your insurance company. Check with your credit card company to see if they offer this type of coverage and what it covers.
c. Coverage for damage to the vehicle may also be provided by your employer’s insurance coverage or by some auto clubs, thus eliminating the need for the CDW.
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