Dos & Don’ts of Car Rental

Make a reservation in advance.

Have your reservation number with you at time of rental.  Reserve the right vehicle for your needs.  Consider the number of people, amount of luggage and gear you are carrying and the number of days you need the vehicle.

Ask about cancellation rules.

Some companies charge a cancellation fee if you have pre-paid for the rental or if a specialty vehicle was reserved.

Follow the guidelines of your reservation (number of rental days, drop-off location and time of return).

If your plans change, contact the car rental company promptly.  Also, determine whether you will be charged for a partial, full day or any additional fees if you return the car late, or if you will be charged the full rental time if you return the car early.

Check your insurance coverage.

Check your personal auto insurance policy to make sure you are covered when renting a vehicle or check for coverage provided with your credit card.

Obtain a receipt for fuel purchased before returning your vehicle.

If you decide to fully refuel the vehicle before returning to the car rental company, show your receipt to ensure you are not charged for fuel.

Check the car carefully for body damage, scratches and any other cosmetic defects.

Have an attendant record any damage information, not already noted, before you leave the lot.

Check your driving record.

Some car rental companies perform driving record verification on renters and additional drivers at the time of rental.  To check your record ahead of time, you can call TravelCheck at 800-388-9099.

Read the rental agreement.

Read the items you are asked to initial on the rental agreement to ensure they are accurate.