A Reliable Rental Car Can Ease Your Mind

Car Rental is the most adventurous and affordable way to explore any unfamiliar territory. Car rental is a particularly wonderful way to see areas of tropical and scenic beauty, giving you the freedom and independence to plan your itinerary around the destination rather than transportation.

Car rental is generally based upon 24 consecutive hours, so a 7 day car rental is based upon 7 consecutive 24 hour periods. Minimum car rental is normally for one day, and with many car rental companies long term car rental is available as well.

Insurance - More Than Just A Good Idea

It is in the best interest of the renter to pay a little extra for the rental car company's insurance if you're not 100% certain about your personal insurance coverage. Car rentals in MOST foreign countries will include collision protection and theft insurance (where applicable) but only the minimum required amount of third-party liability protection as determined by the applicable laws of each country/province.

In countries that do not include the collision/theft insurance in the rental rate, Collision Damage Waiver and Theft Protection should be considered unless the rental is charged to a credit card which contains that insurance coverage. Always read the fine print, however, since there are some things that may not be covered in the insurance plan, such as driving down an unpaved road in a conventional car.

What's In A Name? Big Company vs. Local Shop.

There are small agencies that have rental cars for particular regions, and national companies with hundreds of locations across the country. You should use your own judgment in choosing whether to go with a small company or not. A smaller rental car agency may not have a large inventory, so calling ahead is a must

Car rental companies are used to booking cars far ahead of time, so you shouldn't feel silly when you're making reservations, since it quite normal to need advance reservations to get a cheap rental car. Often, larger rental car [http://lasertargeted.com/carrental/trip-reliable-rental-car-ease-mind.html]

companies will lower the per-day rate for customers who rent for 3 or more days; and these longer rentals are often less expensive than renting for just a single day. Cheap car rentals are all over the internet, both on the websites of car rental companies and on travel websites. It pays to shop around to get the best rental car deal.

Time To Head For The Hills!

Renting a car is great for a weekend get away, to impress someone or even to cover your own car needing repair. In fact, the exact reasons for renting a car are as varied as the individual driver.

Car rental is always subject to the terms and conditions of the rental agreement at the time of rental though, so make sure you read everything thoroughly before signing. Whether you're enjoying water views on a coastal drive or just want to do away with slow-paced rigid guided tours, a car rental is one of the best ways to get around.

Kathy Hildebrand is a professional writer who is easily bored with her "day job" assignments. So, she researches anything and everything of interest and starts writing. Writing about an extremely wide variety of subjects keeps her skills sharp, and gives her food for thought on future paid writing assignments.

More of her research and articles can be found at www.lasertargeted.com/carrental [http://www.lasertargeted.com/carrental] and other sites around the internet.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/576747

Rental Cars: Do You Make This Costly Car Rental Mistake?

Doesn't it seem confusing sometimes just to get a rental car? There seems to be so much paperwork and so many decisions to make.

For example, should you get the collision damage waiver or not? Should you buy additional insurance coverage from the car rental company?

If you've ever watched people at the rental car counter, you know these are questions that most people struggle with. Sometimes you can decline additional insurance on car rentals, but there are specific instances that you should always buy the insurance. But how do you know?

One of the biggest areas of confusion is the Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) offered by the car rental company at the time of rental. It covers damage to the rental car if you are involved in an accident.

The CDW isn't exactly insurance, and it only covers only damage to the rental car. It doesn't cover property damage or personal injury. If CDW is purchased, the car rental company waives some or all of its right to gain from you for physical damages to the car.

So should you purchase the CDW the car rental agency pushes at you? Experts say that most people don't need it but purchase it anyway. This is a very costly mistake!

You can save yourself a lot of hassle and unnecessary cost by doing three things. First, check your own car insurance policy to see what coverage carries over to rental cars. Second, see if the credit card you are using offers any coverage for renting. And finally, check the options the car rental agency offers in its own policies.

Many car insurance policies include all-inclusive and collision coverage to damages to rental cars. There is no sense paying for more if your policy includes this coverage, right? Just verify the details with your insurance agent before you decline the car rental company's additional insurance options.

Typical car insurance policies provide liability coverage that extends to car rentals. If you injure someone in an accident while driving a rental car, your policy will often cover you. If your car insurance policy does not provide these coverages when you are driving car rentals, be sure to purchase additional insurance from the car rental company to protect yourself.

In addition, many credit cards offer coverage for rental cars. If your credit card includes coverage for car rentals that have been damaged in an accident, you don't need to buy any other additional insurance coverage the car rental company offers you.

Finally, read the car rental policy carefully and decide whether or not your car insurance or credit card covers you. Then discuss the car rental's coverage with the agent. Always make an informed decision. Don't give into pressure by the car rental agent.

Deciding whether or not to pay for additional insurance coverage the car rental companies offer can be a tough decision. Check with your credit cards and existing car insurance policy to see if they provide rental car provisions, and if they don't, you'd better consider spending the extra money for additional insurance for your own protection.

You shouldn't pay for anything that you really don't need! On the other hand, you don't want to have inadequate coverage in the event of an accident with rental cars.

Karen Kirby has over 25 years of experience in the computer industry, an MS in Computer Science, and a BA in Honors English. She has been helping people with Internet marketing since 1995.
For more information on car rentals and collision damage waivers [http://car-rental.eworldrewards.com/car-rental-extra-damage-waivers.php] see http://car-rental.eworldrewards.com Be sure to get a free copy of the "Internet Marketer's Guide to Free Traffic" at [http://www.aimbright.com/ebook]

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Karen_Kirby

Important Things to Know Before Signing Off For Your Rental Car

Before you sign the contract and drive away with your rental car, you need to make sure you really know what you have agreed to by signing that agreement. If something were to go wrong while you had the rental car, who would be responsible? How much are you really going to be charged when you return it? What happens if the car gets scratched while you are driving it? You need to consider each of these questions before signing a rental car agreement.

Rental Cars and Insurance

One of the first things you will be asked when you head to the check out counter to pick up your rental car keys is whether or not you want to purchase the rental agency's insurance policy. Do not say no without thinking first. If something were to happen to your rental car, would you be responsible for the damages? Without insurance, you would.

However, this does not mean that you need the rental car company's insurance policy. Do you have car insurance on your own vehicle? If so, find out what your current car insurance company covers on rental cars. You may have full coverage on rental cars with your current insurance provider.

Are you paying via credit card? If so, check with your credit card company. Many of them automatically put rental car insurance on the cars that are rented using their cards.

If you do not have insurance with either of these sources, then you need to consider buying it. Also, keep in mind that you will not only pay for the damages to the rental car if you are in an accident. You will also have to pay for the lost time on that car. If it takes three days to fix the car, you will pay for three days of rental on that car, since the rental car company cannot make money during that time frame.

Keep in mind that the damage to a rental car does not have to occur in an accident. If the car is scratched, you could be charged. Be sure to inspect the car thoroughly before driving it off of the rental car lot. Have any damages that you notice noted on your contract.

Hidden Fees and Charges

You may think that you know how much the rental car will cost when all is said and done, but you likely will be surprised when you get your final bill due to additional fees and charges. Of course, you will have to pay taxes on your rental car. Be sure you plan for this when budgeting for a rental car.

You may also be charged for gas. Some rental car companies charge a flat fee for gas and instruct their renters to return the car close to empty. Others will not charge the gas fee if the car is returned full. If you can fill the car up yourself, do so, because the rate the rental car company is going to charge for gas will be more than the gas station down the street.

If a driver on the contract is under 25 years old, expect to pay an additional fee, if the rental car company will even allow this driver to drive the car. Also, adding additional drivers to the agreement will cost extra. Finally, be sure to inquire about late fees, and turn the car in on time unless you absolutely cannot do so.

Renting a car seems like it should be an easy task, but there are many considerations that you need to make before signing the contract. Make sure that you know exactly what you are agreeing to do, and follow through with your end of the contract. This will protect you from unexpected and expensive fees when you return the car.

Renting a Car in Canada is made easier with a car rental Canada service provider. Contact your local car rental branch to find out about the different car rental options available.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Amy_Nutt

A Review of Alamo Rental Cars

Many people are in need of rental cars. This can be for dozens of reasons. Some people need rental cars because they are on vacation or traveling. Other people need a rental car because their car is being repaired. Some people just need rental cars because they have no car at all!
Whatever the reason may be, car rental is a common thing for many people to do.

The problem some people face is what car rental company to rent from. There are many car rental companies to choose from. One you may consider is Alamo rental cars. If you don't know much about Alamo rental cars, please read on for a review of Alamo rental cars.

Alamo rental cars have various rates available. If you are planning a quick weekend get away, Alamo has compact cars available at $25.99 each weekend day, midsize cars are available at $30.99 each weekend day, and SUVs or minivans are available at $43.99 each weekend day. Alamo also has very many special rates for those of you who wish to rent a car for a week.

Compact cars are available for weekly rent at $169 a week, Minivans are available at $239 a week, and SUVs are available at $249 a week. If you plan on renting by the day, you can rent a compact car for $35.99 a day or a minivan for $43.99 a day. This is allowed for a maximum of up to five days. This is good for anyone who has an unexpected need for a rental car!

Alamo rental cars also have an exclusive rental club that you can join for free at their website at alamo.com. This club allows members to create a profile of there renting needs and wants. You can set up your profile to list the specific sized car you want and timeframe you wish to have it for.

This way when you go to the website, you are able to simply click a button to reserve a
rental car that fits the profile you have already set up. Members also get discounts and deals on the Alamo rental cars just for being a member. You can even prepay for the Alamo rental cars directly at the website and save an additional 15 percent!

After looking at this review of Alamo rental cars, you can clearly see the benefits of renting
from Alamo rental cars. Alamo offers great rates and easy car rental options to suit anyone's car
rental needs. When you rent from Alamo, you are sure to be well taken care of and leave knowing that you got a great deal. This will give you peace of mind while traveling wherever you may be going!

Mario Foyt offers expert advice and great tips regarding all aspects concerning the rental car industry. Get the information you are seeking now by visiting Alamo Rental Cars

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Bob_Hett

Should You Buy Rental Car Insurance?

Your flight landed an hour late. Now, you'll be late for that important meeting. You can already imagine your customers sitting around a conference table waiting impatiently. You step to the front of the line at the car rental counter, with six other exasperated businessmen behind you who are late for their meetings, too.

The rental agent plunks the contract down in front of you, and circles all the places on the contract that you're supposed to sign or initial. Then she stares at you, as if to say, "Hurry up!" The print is small. The sentences are written in Legalese. You'd like to stop and read the fine print, but you can feel the people behind you getting more upset. You thought you were renting a car for $35.00 per day. With all the add-ons, the cost is now $70.00 per day.

Oh...the pressure...the panic! You cave in, signing and leaving your initials in all the right places. You take your contract and keys and head for your car, inwardly feeling like a failure and mad because you didn't stand up for yourself.

If the preceding story is too familiar, there's hope just ahead!

It doesn't matter if you're a regular car renter or just an occasional traveler who needs to rent a car, you'll likely face these kinds of choices at the car rental counter. Some folks just decline everything. Some folks purchase all of the coverage offered.

But...are you wasting bunches of money on unneeded coverage or leaving yourself dangerously under insured? Before leaving on your trip, I recommend that you make two phone calls - one to your auto insurance company and another to the credit card company you'll be using to pay for the rental car. You'll need to find out if you have automatic coverage for your car rental from each company, and the various terms and conditions for that automatic coverage.

FIRST...CALL YOUR CAR INSURANCE COMPANY

In your personal or business auto insurance policy, there is coverage for damage to your auto. The Insuring Agreement in most policies says: " We will pay for direct and accidental loss to 'your covered auto' or any 'non-owned auto,' including their equipment, minus any applicable deductible shown in the Declarations."

Another phrase is VERY IMPORTANT!

"If there is a loss to a 'non-owned auto', we will provide the broadest coverage applicable to any 'covered auto' in the Declarations." Here's an example of how this would work for you:

You have two vehicles. One is a 2006 Toyota Camry with full coverage. It's worth $24,000. The other is a 1980 Chevy S-10 pickup worth $1,500 that you only use for trips back and forth to the local home improvement store, and you only have liability coverage on the pickup. If you rented a car and it got damaged, your insurance company would provide the full coverage for the rental car, which is the broadest coverage in your policy.

If you normally drive an older car with only liability insurance on it, there will not be any property damage insurance extended to the rental car. In this instance, you should either use the credit card's Collision Damage Waiver or buy the CDW from the car rental company.

Ask your insurance company representative how much coverage you have on your car. Ask if there is a limit of value on your Collision coverage. If there is a limit, and you drive a 7 year old Ford Taurus that's worth $5,500...and you rent a new Cadillac Escalade that's worth $55,000...will your personal auto insurance cover the damage to the higher valued vehicle? REALLY important to know this...you could owe the rental car company tens of thousands of dollars to repair or replace a high value rental vehicle if you're not properly covered.

Find out the limits of liability. Make sure that your limits are higher than the minimum limits required by your state. Limits above $100,000 per person/$300,000 per accident for Bodily Injury, and $100,000 for Property Damage are very inexpensive. Make sure that you limits are no less than that amount...higher would be better.

Find out what collision and comprehensive deductibles you have on your car, because those deductibles will apply when you rent a car and use your own insurance for rental coverage.

Make sure that you have Uninsured Motorist and Underinsured Motorist coverage on your personal or business policy. If you are in an accident with an uninsured motorist, and the accident is his fault, recovery will be practically impossible. Likewise with a motorist who is underinsured. Best to have your own coverage protection.

Q: What if I don't own a car, and don't have car insurance?

A: If you do not own a car, you won't have an automobile policy. You should buy the rental car coverage, both the CDW and liability coverage. Or, you should use your credit card's CDW and buy the optional liability coverage from the rental car company. If you're a frequent car renter, however, you can still buy a "non-owner" liability policy. This solution might save you money over the coverage available through the car rental company.

Q: What happens if my personal property inside the car gets damaged or stolen?

A: Most Collision Damage Waivers provide coverage for theft of the vehicle, but not any personal property stolen or damaged inside the vehicle. Check your homeowners or renter's insurance policy because you may have coverage through them for your stolen or damaged personal property. A deductible will likely apply.

Here's a super important tip! Some people think that, if they purchased the Collision Damage Waiver or used the CDW from their credit card, and the rental car got damaged, they don't have to report it to their own insurance company. They are hoping that because the CDW covers the damage, it won't affect their own insurance policy....and they won't get a rate increase. WRONG!!! Don't be misled into thinking that you can get away without reporting your accident to your own insurance company.

In most accidents, more things get damaged than just the rental car. Even if your accident is just you running into a guardrail, whoever owns that guardrail is going to look to you to pay for the damages. Also, other people might have been injured. You could have a large liability exposure, and you might need your personal or business auto policy to cover your loss. Your insurance policy includes legal representation if someone files a lawsuit against you for damages.

If you're going to use your own personal or business auto coverage, decline the Collision Damage Waiver on the car rental contract.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/1359160

Rental Cars - The Do's &The Don'ts

The motorized cars with at least four wheels which are used for private transportation of goods or person by the cardholder for a short rental period is known as Rental Cars. Here the renter always has the option to choose the right rental car to serve his requirements i.e. whether he needs to rent a car for business or pleasure purpose.

There are different types of Rental cars such as luxury car rental, economy car rental, premium car rental, mini van rental, sport utility rental, pickup truck rental, cargo van rental etc. The features and provisions in the rental cars differ widely from each other.

There are many rental companies across the country that provide with lower cost and efficient services. There are generally two types of rates for renting a car. They are 1) Basic rate and 2) Inclusive rate. The Basic rate is that when anyone is opting to use his credit card for insurance coverage and the Inclusive rate is that the insurance is being supplied to the renter by the rental company.

· Different Car Rental Terms

There are different terms and conditions for renting a car. These terms and conditions help the renters to know more about rental cars and its rates.

Airport Access Fees:

An extra fee is always charged in case any customer picks up a car at the Airport premises. The extra fee may be flat or a percentage of the total rental charge that depends upon the country and the supplier. The Airport authorities can also charge a fee for parking vehicles on the airport site.

Collision Damage Waiver:

The rental company may charge an extra fee to the renter in case of the losses due to damage done by any kind of accidental cause to the vehicle. The term Collision Damage Waivers or the Loss Damage Waiver usually do not cover the windows, roof, tires, interior and side mirrors of the vehicles.

Personal Accident Insurance:

This insurance can be purchased from the supplier at the time of picking up a rental car. According to this insurance, compensation of a predetermined amount is given to the driver and its passengers in case of any bodily harm to them while traveling in the rented vehicle.

Road Tax and Fees:

There are also different taxes and fees that are charged to run rented vehicles on roads to restore and maintain the roads. Sometimes these taxes are paid by the rental company.

Refueling Provisions:

The cars those are rented to the travellers are provided with a full tank of fuel gas. The cost of fuel is not included in the rate of rental cars. If anyone returns the vehicle with some less fuel gas in the tank then an extra refueling fees are charged on the vendor.

Theft Protection:

Many rental companies provide with insurance that covers the renter in case the vehicle is stolen. In such cases to make a policy active, police must be informed within 24 hours of theft. This type of insurance does not cover the belongings of the renter inside the vehicle.

Tyson J Stevenson creates useful articles & reviews on a wide variety of everyday subjects. Expect to see his name often. View further samples of his work at HubbuH or at Car Rental [http://www.dollar.rental.car.info].

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tyson_J_Stevenson

Privacy Policy

Information we collect and how we use it

We may collect the following types of information:

• Information you provide – When you sign up for a Google Account, we ask you for personal information. We may combine the information you submit under your account with information from other Google services or third parties in order to provide you with a better experience and to improve the quality of our services. For certain services, we may give you the opportunity to opt out of combining such information. You can use the Google Dashboard to learn more about the information associated with your Account. If you are using Google services in conjunction with your Google Apps Account, Google provides such services in conjunction with or on behalf of your domain administrator. Your administrator will have access to your account information including your email. Consult your domain administrator’s privacy policy for more information.
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Changes to this Privacy Policy

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