Archive for April 21st, 2008

Insuring Your Vehicle - Save On Costs

Monday, April 21st, 2008

The next time you are on vacation or business, forget using taxis and use a budget car rental instead; true, taxis can be convenient as well but that's only when you do not have to be anywhere particular in a hurry and don't mind the high cost of each journey. The problem is finding a company that doesn't rent budget cars, you know, the sort that sound like they should be mowing the lawn. Perhaps a slight exaggeration on my part but when renting a car you do have to be careful. So, just to help with your rental car experience, I have made a written down a few pointers to help.If you're not choosy about what car you rent, try to get your budget car rental through sites that let you choose cars at your own price. Do not dismiss this type of sites because they want your business and sometimes offer other incentives like unlimited mileage for example. It is not unusual to find that package deals that incorporate a flight and rental car, provide other incentives such as a vehicle upgrade for instance although this is rarely the case if you book with one of the airlines directly. If you do not need to organize your car rental with the airline, try a company that is outside the airport you will find they are usually less competitive.Just remember that you are likely to come across some amazing budget car rental deals on the internet if you look. In fact many car rental web sites will only give a discount if you book online with them. Aside from that you can easily get upgrades and depending on the season, at least one rental company is bound to have a special offer that can help you save money. Another thing to consider is the ease with which you can rent a car without leaving the comfort of your house.Another thing to ask is whether your credit card company has negotiated special discounts with the budget car rental company you are going to use. Many car rental companies have arranged special deals with large organizations to ensure they have more business, perhaps you are a member of one of these.Before you drive the rental car away, carry out a thorough check for damage. These cars often take a few knocks so if there is any damage; make sure the renter is aware of them. In addition to a physical check for collision damage, make sure everything works as it should or you might find yourself paying for something that wasn't your fault.One other thing to remember is to check your  vehicle  insurance policy as you will more than likely find that it provides rental car insurance cover so that's another saving. Why pay for rental car insurance when your own auto insurance policy will cover some of the aspects, even if it isn't a great deal; even though it may not seem important, driving without auto insurance can land you in a ton of trouble.It may not seem important but driving without auto insurance can land you in a great deal of trouble.