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4 common car rental mistakes to avoid

4 common car rental mistakes to avoid

Renting a car is one of the ultimate convenience options when traveling on vacations or for other purposes. It helps one cut off travel time, reduces unnecessary stress of commuting, and helps one conveniently visit places of interest or otherwise. Moreover, renting a car is incredibly easy as well. However, those renting a car make certain mistakes that can ruin their experience. Check out a few mistakes to avoid when renting a car:

Hiring the first company one comes across
Research is critical before choosing a rental car company. Individuals must check and verify every aspect of car rental companies before choosing one instead of one glorified by marketing. Also, pay attention to online reviews and ratings to gauge the customer service of a car rental company. Moreover, before selecting a car rental service, one must consult family members, neighbors, work colleagues, and car experts to understand their experience with specific service providers. After researching the price and digging into other important factors, one must select a rental company.

Going over the maximum miles per day
Car rental companies provide various services to their clients, including the option of unlimited mileage. However, this service comes at a higher cost, which might not be affordable for everyone. Most rental companies do not offer unlimited mileage and set a limit on the number of miles that can be driven. Some companies charge a significant penalty fee if a vehicle is driven beyond this limit. Additionally, some companies have location-based mileage limits, meaning clients must pay an enormous fee for the extra mileage if a car is driven over a certain number of miles in a particular state. Therefore, it is essential to be aware of the mileage limit and drive the rented car accordingly to avoid extra expenses.

Not paying tolls
There are no free toll payments when it comes to rental cars. Many assume the rental car company will cover them for vehicular duties and fees at toll booths. Certain companies may cover the costs only to recover the fees from their clients once the ride is done. For example, service providers charge as much as $60 for a single toll coverage. To stay on the safe side, one must make arrangements for toll payments when deciding to drive a rented car.

Failing to make prior reservations
Rented vehicles are almost always in demand throughout the year. During the holiday season, the demand skyrockets. Therefore, those needing a car for a certain day should not make reservations for the same day. One may not likely find a car of their liking, and if they do, it will likely be overpriced. Therefore, ideally, one must make reservations at least a day or two in advance to avoid such situations.

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