Travelers Guide to Prestige Car Hire
March 13th, 2009. Published under Cars and Trucks. No Comments.
If you’re thinking about renting a car or van, you need to be sure you’re asking the right questions before you do it. Being prepared and knowing what you need to could mean the difference between an easy trip and one that’s filled with unpleasant surprises. Here are a few tips to make sure that your car hire goes well.?
Take a look at the rental agreement. This is the agreement that details the contract between you and your car hire company. It’ll state important information about the vehicle, the cost of the hire, and your beginning and ending times and dates.
You need to be certain that the rate you pay is what you expect, as well as finding out what is included or excluded in the terms. Find out what happens if you have a breakdown, how far you’re allowed to drive in a given day, your insurance coverage, and any special rates that might apply to your rental.
You’ll also want to look at the odometer and your paperwork. The number of kilometers the car has been driven must be recorded properly both when you leave and you bring it back. Another important thing to remember is all your personal documentation – without it, you could be in a sticky situation.
In most cases, this involves having a valid driving license, printed in the language of the country in which you’ll be driving, a passport or other kinds of identification, and a credit card in your name. Your agency may have different requirements, however, so find out the details from them.
Check the condition of the vehicle before you sign or take it out of the lot. Check spare tires, tools, and note any damage in the rental agreement before you sign anything.
Load your vehicle carefully. If you’re on a trip that requires you to carry anything heavy, make sure that you avoid loading beyond the maximum weight your vehicle can carry, and keep heavy objects centered in the vehicle and located as low as you can.
You’ll need to know a few things about your insurance cover, too. After all, you will be the one paying for any damage you don’t have cover for, including theft or vandalism.
That makes it vital to know what the insurance covers, how much damage liability you have to pay if there’s a problem, and whether there are any exclusions like the tires or windscreen. You may have to provide details on multiple people if there will be more than one driver. Make sure you’re also familiar with the procedure if an accident occurs.
Find out what fuel type is best for your vehicle, as well. The wrong kind of fuel can cause serious damage in some cars. Check the fuel level when you pick the car up and when you return it to avoid high penalty charges.
If you have a complaint about your rental car, knowing what to do before hand will make it easier to resolve. The majority of agencies want to hear about it quickly, so the problem can be fixed right away. However, the actual procedure may vary significantly from one company to the next.