Do You Know What You Rental Agreement Means

Renting a car seems like a simple task.  You call around or look on the web and find the best deal.  Comparing prices is made simple using this method.  Just because you get the best base rate quote from one rental car agency over another doesn't in truth mean that you're getting the best overall deal.

The important thing to remember is that a base rate is just that.  Initially there are extra taxes and surcharges added onto that base rate right away, and these can vary significantly from location to location.  Airport locations for instance have notoriously higher surcharges than those that are located elsewhere around the city.  Also, there are many regions that have what is called a luxury tax and this is for items that are deemed not to be necessities such as eating out, hotels stays, and car rentals.

This is just one point to understand though when it comes to how much that cheap car hire is really going to end up costing you.  Then there is the mileage.  Many rental car companies will allot you only a certain number of miles per day or per week.  Anything over this is outlined and charged as extra mileage in accordance with your leasing agreement.  The charge will be listed as what seems to be a very small amount per mile over, but usually the allowance on the cars that offer limited mileage isn't enough, and the car rental agency understands this and plans it so that most people exceed the allotted mileage and need to pay additional fees.

Of course, there is also the issue of leasing insurance, and although the motor vehicle should be covered by using your credit card and your own car insurance policy, it is a wise idea to check this information out before hand, especially if you're traveling internationally because your vehicle insurance policy may perhaps not cover you while you are driving elsewhere.  But if you're assured that you have coverage, do not pay for the extra insurance as you will turn out paying a lot more for the overall vehicle rental.

These are just some of the things that rental car companies will try and pick up extra money from.  Each rental car company is different and therefore each rental agreement will be different as well.  Be sure to read the agreement carefully before signing it.  The extra time you spend reading it before hand can save you a lot of time and money in the long run.