A rental car is a huge convenience over having to wait for public transportation or paying for a taxi any time you need to travel farther than walking distance. But hidden costs can put a crimp in your wallet if you're not aware of them. This list will help you go in prepared.
1. Your Credit Card May Provide an Insurance Policy
When you rent a car, you'll be offered expensive insurance options such as a collision damage waiver and liability insurance. Together, these can cost upwards of $30 to $60 per day. Before accepting this pricey option, ask yourself if you really need additional rental car insurance. Your personal auto insurance may provide adequate coverage when renting a car.
Additionally, many credit cards provide secondary insurance when you pay for your rental with their card, and a few credit cards offer primary rental car insurance. But be sure before you bank on it. Some credit cards limit coverage, while others offer none at all. Call and check first. You may be able to save on the additional cost of rental insurance.
2. But Credit Cards May Not Cover Everything
When you call to check your credit card's policy on rental cars, ask specifically what they cover. Some credit card companies may cover any damages you incur on the rental car, but will not pay fees assessed by the rental car company. These fees can add up. If you decide that you need additional coverage, you may opt for temporary car insurance, a kind of short-term policy that will protect you for a limited period of time.
3. Every Driver Counts — and Costs
Even if all your drivers are over the age of 25, you will likely pay a fee for each additional driver registered when you rent the car. Think carefully about how many drivers you need. Designate one or two to keep from incurring additional fees.
4. Youth Drivers Cost Even More
For a long time, rental car companies wouldn't even allow drivers under 21. Now, most do, but a hefty fee can be part of the young driver's experience—usually, a daily fee for putting a young driver (under 25) on the registration.
5. Stick to the Paved Roads
It's easy to miss some of the details rattled off when the rental car representative walks you through the company's policies. There's one you'll definitely want to note: most companies prohibit the use of their cars on unpaved roads. If you do purchase a collision damage waiver or other rental car insurance, this will most likely be voided if you drive on gravel or an unpaved road. Stick to the beaten track, unless you want to pay for your off-road adventures.
6. Fill Up the Tank Before Returning the Vehicle
One stop is essential on your way to return your rental car, and that's the local gas station. Most rental companies require a full tank when you return the car. Fail to do this and you'll get charged for a fill-up. And rental car companies charge significantly more for gas than local gas rates.
7. Avoid the Extra Airport Fee
If you rent a car at the airport terminal, you'll be assessed a surcharge for an airport fee. Rental car companies pay these surcharges to the airport and pass them along to the consumer, so there's no way of avoiding the fee if you rent at the airport. You can, however, hop a shuttle and rent a car outside of the airport.
8. Save Money by Bringing Your Own Extras
It's the little things in life that count, and that's true for rental cars. Need a child seat or a GPS system? Want to listen to the radio? Equip yourself and save big. You could easily pay $5 per day for satellite radio, and other daily fees for a child safety seat or GPS system. Pack your own traveling extras and be sure to have the rental company remove theirs—from the car and the bill—before you drive off the lot.
The Bottom Line
You can enjoy the convenience of having a rental car, without racking up unexpected fees, if you go in prepared. Do a little research and ask plenty of questions, so you know exactly what you're getting—and what you're paying for—with your rental car.
