6 Essential Car Rental Tips for Travellers

Travelling to a new place and thinking of renting a car can be a troublesome task for many of us. It is because we firstly need to get accustomed to the new place and then look out for a good online booking car service that will come with all the possible benefits.

Hence it is important to be cautious while renting a car. It becomes even more important if you are a traveller and want to grab an affordable and efficient car. So, let us take a look at the 9 essential car rental tips for travellers.

Study all the specifications of the car

Excited to set out on your upcoming trip? All of your excitement deserves to be lived fully. However, before you simply set out with just any random car or taxi, make sure that the one you are hiring is thoroughly checked by you. Check the condition of the car, its mileage, the kind of fuel it runs on, windows & windshields, , the rearview mirrors, the seats of the car, seat belts, odometer, AC, music system, etc. Take note of any previous damage of the car. Bring it to the notice of the car rental agency.

Take a short test drive

Hiring an affordable car to save extra pennies for the parties must not come in your way of safety. Thus, it is important to check the functioning of the car. You can do this by going on a short test drive before finalising the car for rent. It will help you get used to the car that you wish to hire. Further, it will also help you know and feel the comfort of the car in advance. Make sure that you fairly judge whether the car is good or not for the long-run and you are hal-way there!

Note down all the emergency contacts

You must note that while travelling you are subject to coming across any kinds of emergencies in an unwarned manner. Be it a mishap or some silly mistake or ignorance, you must always be equipped with all the necessary contacts and go-to people to help you out. Make sure that you talk about this aspect with the agency you are dealing with. Note down all the emergency contacts of the firm and your near and dear ones and keep a copy of it in the car as well as on your phone.

Avoid any possible distractions

While opting for car booking in advance, you must make sure that you eliminate all the possible distractions. Say, for example, you can keep your rearview mirrors clean, check the music system in advance, keep away your phone while driving the car, download offline maps to help you assist even when there is no internet available in some areas. You must also make sure that the person sitting beside you is able to help you with some kind of emergency such as checking the map frequently, cleaning the mirrors if and when required, etcetera.

Go for an affordable yet smart choice

Simply booking a car that looks good or comes at a cheaper price will not help you in the long-run. Likewise, you must focus on maintaining a balance between the two important factors- price and quality. Make sure you find the middle ground after having a discussion with the firm and your travel partners as well. Adjust and compromise as and when required but make sure that you land upon the best possible option.

Check before you drop-off

It would be best to make a drop-off checklist before you set out to return the car to the online booking car service. This way you will be able to drop-off the car without any complaints from the agency's end. Take a look at the car's condition. Make sure that you are returning it in the same condition as you had received. Fill up the required amount of fuel at a petrol station that is closest to the car booking agency. Avoid being too generous or careless in this case. Most importantly, do not be late.

Conclusion

Renting a car, especially in a new place may not be an easy task for several reasons. However, with a little care and cautiousness, you can manage to grab the best deal. So, the next time you go to hire a car, make sure you keep in mind all these essential points.