Renting cars are necessary for people who have to use automobiles for a short period of time. Having a rental car is especially beneficial for travelers who are out of town or for those who own vehicles that have been damaged and are awaiting insurance compensation or repair. Read on to learn more about what to expect when renting cars.
1. Rental car services are usually located in airports or busy city areas.
Those who offer short term and long-term car rentalhave numerous local branches on busy city areas. They are also located in airports.
2. Car rental agencies also offer additional products.
Aside from the basic rental of vehicles, car rental agencies also offer extra products including global positioning system (GPS) navigation systems, insurance, portable Wi-Fi, entertainment systems, child safety seats and even mobile phones.
3. Rental car companies abide by the ACRISS Car Classification Code coding system.
In order to have an easy comparison of short term and long-term car rental prices as well as a uniform classification system, the Association of Car Rental Industry Systems and Standards (ACRISS) developed the ACRISS Car Classification Code coding system. This system describes the gearbox type (manual/automatic), size, door count and whether the car is air-conditioned. It is encoded into four letters. The first letter represents the vehicle’s general classification. It describes whether the vehicle is Economy, Compact or Mini. The second letter specifies the variant of the vehicle, if it’s a sport utility vehicle (SUV), Convertible, Estate or 4 Door. The third letter specifies the transmission type. It can also describe the number of wheels that drive the vehicle. As for the fourth letter, it describes whether the vehicle has air-conditioning and it also describes the type of fuel used for it.
4. Prepare your ID and other paperwork because it will be checked.
When renting a car, make sure that you have all your paperwork with you for a smooth transaction. They will require an identification (ID) card or passport, driving license, one or two utility bills or bank statements and your voucher if you’ve booked your car in advance.
5. You have to pay for additional charges.
There may be local charges, taxes and airport fees to pay. Also, if you’ve requested for extra products including the GPS navigation systems, insurance, or child safety seats, you will also be charged for that.
6. You must have a credit card to pay for the deposit.
After computing the charges for renting the car, you will be asked to pay for the security deposit through your credit card. It will be blocked on your credit card and you won’t be able to spend it until it’s been unblocked after your car rental.
7. Read the rental agreement and sign it.
Make sure to read the rental agreement thoroughly before signing it. Check your mileage limitations, fuel policy and restrictions on where you’re actually allowed to take the vehicle. After signing the rental agreement, you will be handed the key of car and you’re off to go.
