4 important things to know before renting a car

When it comes to renting a car, a number of questions immediately arise, especially when the person behind the counter starts trying to get you to add a bunch of things to the bill. Below are four important things to know before renting a car.

Refueling questions

Almost every car rental employee will try to convince you to prepay for gas, and we know it sounds tempting. After all, you need to make one less stop. However, prepaid rates are significantly higher than what you would pay yourself at a gas station. Also, make sure you pay attention to gas stations in the area when you leave to save yourself from ridiculous fees if you return it with less gas than when you picked up the car.

Insurance payment

Before you pay for car rental insurance, check yours first. In most cases, your car insurance will cover any vehicle you have permission to drive, making agency insurance unnecessary. There are also some credit cards that provide protection when renting a car. Be sure to check your policies before you go to the counter to know if you need their insurance or not.

Don't Ignore Inspection

While you might be tempted to jump right into the car and take off, take the time to inspect it carefully and check for damage. If you see even a small scratch, point it out to the employee so that he notes it. If you do not do this, you will have to pay for damages that already occurred when you picked up the car. If an employee is not walking with you, take a photo or video with time and date stamps so you have proof of damage.

Ask for updates

When renting a car, you should consider booking a car one step below what you really want. When you arrive at the rental office, you can ask for an upgrade. If the space is full and stock is low, you can simply get a free upgrade to the car you wanted in the first place.

Renting a car doesn't have to be too expensive. Carefully following these tips will help you avoid signing up for a much higher bill when you get back to town.