If you are someone who loves going on vacations and going on long drives at the same time, there is no doubt that you would probably want to rent a car rather than commute whenever you go on your next big trip. After all, not having to worry about finding a cab and not having to pay attention to the meter can save you a lot of stress and a lot of money by the end of your trip. Renting a car is not always the most cost-effective means of transportation sometimes, however, and you really have to know what to look for to get the best value for your money.
Having that said, there are three very important ways you can make your car rental plants work for your budget. Let's talk about these three time-proven things to look for now so that when you pack your bags for your next vacation, you can focus on actually having fun and not the cost of getting around.
Economy Cars Are the Way To Go
There are plenty of discount rental vehicles out there. There are plenty of companies that have a wide selection of vehicles that are perfect for you and your companions. It is easy to get swayed at the sight of the more expensive vehicles though, even if they are not the most practical choice. You want to rent as small of a vehicle as possible without compromising the comfort of your companions. If you are traveling alone, there is no reason why a simple sedan won't work. If you are traveling with your family, maybe a mid-sized van or a smaller SUV will do the trick. You want a vehicle that will not only cost less to book but also provide the best range per gallon of gas.
Hold Off On Getting the Insurance
Now that you know what kind of car to rent, you should also remember that as long as you are not renting the car from overseas — the insurance that you already have for your car will probably cover the rental as well. The insurance for car rentals can be very expensive, so you want to find out in advance what kind of insurance you have and whether they can cover rentals. It is extremely rare that you would even need the insurance in the first place, so only include the insurance with your rental when you absolutely need to.
Trim The Fat - Don’t Get What You Don’t Need
The thing about most cars nowadays is that some of their tech can easily be done by your smartphone. These extra bells and whistles will often cost extra when you rent your car, so you would want to hold off on them. You do not need a car GPS, for example, because your phone can do that way better. You do not need something in the car to play music with, because once again you can easily do that yourself with your phone. Be very attentive to the things that you are including in your car rental and just drop off the things that you feel you won't need to decrease the overall cost.
There — now you know that renting a car is all about frugality, practicality, and sensibility. Before you sign the rental agreement, think hard about what you really need, how long you are actually going to need the car for, and what kind of insurance you already have. If you follow these simple steps, you will without a doubt find the right rental car at the best possible price.