What Should You Know about Renting a Car?

What Should you Know about Renting a Car?

We spend a lot of time here at Avondale Nissan discussing the many ways that our lineup of Chevys, Fords and Lincolns can help make your vacation unforgettable. However, there are sometimes vacations where you won’t be taking a car of your own — you know, like if you fly somewhere and then have to rent a car. If this is the case, what should you know about renting a car? We at Avondale Nissan have a few helpful tips for you!

As in all things, internet first. Did you know that roughly 80% of shoppers take their first steps toward making a purchase by looking on the internet? Few industries have been revolutionized by the internet quite like car rentals have, and this is where you’ll find your best rates. You’ll sometimes be able to apply online-only discounts, you can look between different models you like, and you don’t need to worry about the traditional hours of operation.
When possible, book for weekends or full weeks. This is true whether or not you search online, that weekends are when the best rates are available. We were able to find some sources that indicated that prices could be discounted as much as 66% during weekends. So, if you’ve got a little flexibility with your rental, this is the way to go. Additionally, if you’re going to be renting for four or more days, look into the week-long rate. Sometimes you can save money this way as well.
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Know what questions to ask regarding insurance. Whenever you rent a car, you’re presented with two forms of insurance to purchase: a collision damage waiver and a loss damage waiver. These are always necessary, right? Well, not always. Your insurance sometimes covers both of these things, so check with your insurance provider to find out what renter-provided coverage, if any, is necessary. No sense in doubling up on coverage if it isn’t necessary.
Make your reservation (but not your gas purchase) in advance. As with pretty much everything in life, it’s always a good idea to make your rental reservation in advance. (A week early is a good rule of thumb.) However, you’ll also be asked if you’d like to pre-pay for a full gas tank, and the answer here is almost always no. Unless you think that you’ll dry up every last drop of gas before dropping the car off, this isn’t worth the cost, since the rental service is charging you for a full tank of gas regardless.
There are many things to know about renting a car, but these are the ones that quickly spring to mind. And, as we always say, if you’re staying around here for a vacation and need a great vehicle, come see us at Avondale Nissan!