Imagine, you're planning your dream trip and you know you'll need a car to make the most of your itinerary, but then you arrive at your destination and the car starts giving you a lot of headaches. To avoid getting into any trouble and stressing out unnecessarily on your vacation abroad, it's important to have good tips for renting a car.
You need to consider the type of place you're interested in traveling to and the time period, for example. Many people have questions about renting a car in Orlando, but did you know that there are several tips on what to consider when looking for the ideal rental car for your trip to this or any other destination? Read on to find out more!
1. Analyze the destination of the trip to choose the car
Choose the destination you want to visit before you even think about the car to rent. This is because the car you'll need to visit a place in the mountains is different from the one you could rent for a flatter, busier city, for example.
Also pay attention to the time of year and, consequently, the climate of your chosen destination, as snowy regions such as Canada and the United States require vehicles with specific characteristics. Among them, the tires need to be compatible with driving in the snow to ensure comfort and safety while driving.
Other points that are also worth considering are the conditions of the accommodation chosen (whether it has a garage or not, for example), the number of people and suitcases to be transported and geographical issues, such as the type of roads and the way the city's traffic works.
2. Consider the age of the driver and whether there will be extra drivers
One of the main and most important factors for saving money when renting a car is to be over 25 - insurance companies consider them to be "more responsible" and therefore less likely to be involved in accidents. It is mandatory to confirm the information with your photo ID, such as your ID card, passport or your driver's license.
You also need to invest in an International Driving Permit (PID), as this is the document responsible for allowing you to drive outside Brazil. The fees are set by Detran and tend to vary according to the state of application, ranging from R$70 to R$500.
3. Decide between free or controlled mileage
Pay close attention to whether the mileage of the car you are renting is free or controlled. With free mileage, you can go anywhere in the world without worrying about how far you drive. And even less so with the need for any payments for exceeding the contracted kilometers.
In the second option, the prices tend to be lower, but you have to pay for daily rates and an extra charge for each kilometer driven. In other words, you need to consider the objectives you have for the car during your trip and assess which format best suits your budget.
4. Choose between full or empty tank
One trick that makes a difference when hiring is to check whether the options available come with a full or empty tank. We recommend that you opt for a full tank and return it the same way you picked it up. After all, who wants to be looking for gas stations and comparing prices right at the start of their vacation, right?
And be careful when you return the vehicle, because if you turn it in with little or no gas, you'll have to pay a fee. This can be more expensive than you expect, so return it with half the tank or refill it to ensure you don't incur any more costs.
5. Assess the condition of the vehicle before leaving the car rental company
Check the condition of the vehicle carefully so that you don't leave the scene with a car that has problems, and be on the lookout for possible scratches or dents in the bodywork. Also check that the car has a spare tire, jack and wheel keys, that the radio works and that the manual is in the glove compartment.
If you have any doubts about how to rent a car, pay special attention to the following point: the inspection copy must be in your hands. If not, ask the rental company to give you this document, because this is the guarantee you will have about the information captured during the assessment.
Always record videos and take photographs of the vehicle before using it so that you have concrete proof in case there are any problems when you return it. With these precautions, you can enjoy your trip carefree with family and friends.
6. Choosing insurance that protects the car against third parties
As much as we never expect anything to happen during our trip, we need to be prepared for all scenarios. That's why it's ideal to consider comprehensive insurance that covers theft, accidents and other third-party actions.
Many credit cards offer insurance for rented vehicles. Find out if your card has cover and what is included, so that you have more peace of mind when driving.
If you don't have insurance available, talk to the rental company's staff to assess the options. Ask any questions you may have, check the prices, understand what is covered and what you could end up paying for yourself.
7. Always choose the insurance offered by the rental company
The insurance offered by the rental company itself is the best option for the car you'll be using on your trip. This is because it tends to be the most complete and offer the most guarantees for eventualities. One of the main tips here is to first understand what type of insurance the rental company offers.
Generally, there is also the suggestion of the extra service called Roadside Service or Premium Roadside Assistance, both of which are available in the United States and Canada for an additional fee of between U$7 and U$9, depending on the insurance company.
As far as extra services are concerned, they may include towing, repairing and changing tires, an auxiliary starter and a locks mith to open the car door, if necessary. When you order the vehicle, remember to check these extras with the rental company.
8. Compare prices and car types to save money
One of the most important car rental tips is to analyze the prices of the vehicles that catch your eye. It can happen that prices change according to the size of the car and the features it offers.
Therefore, as a tip for cheap car rental, we recommend that you book before you travel. There are many countries that receive thousands of tourists at the end of the year and car prices tend to rise, regardless of the model.
Also, research value car rentals, as vehicles from the same line can vary in price. Saving R$10 or R$25 on the daily rate, for example, could end up making a difference to your travel budget.
A Happy Tours is the perfect platform for you to find the best rental cars, compare prices and choose the option that best suits your needs, check it out!
9. Make your reservation in advance
Now that you've got the tips on how to rent a car for your trip, remember that it's essential to do it in advance! Just as you buy airline tickets and rent a comfortable hotel room with everything you need, why not do the same with your car? That way, you can guarantee the best prices and conditions and also have peace of mind in the days leading up to the trip.
And if you want to understand how electric car rental works, check out this post!
10. Choose Happy Tours to find a car to rent abroad
Happy Tours is the best car rental company abroad and you'll find a wide range of countries available on the site. Travel to the United States, Italy, France and many other destinations in total comfort, safe in the knowledge that the dates, times and destinations are previously booked with us.
On the site, you can do a quick search on the types of vehicles available - which include compact, economy, midsize, standard and fullsize, which is a medium-sized van -, the insurance and coverage offered and, of course, secure the best payment terms!
Our rental includes vehicle insurance, theft insurance, VAT tax and unlimited mileage. With Happy Tours, you can get to know the best cities in the country you decide to travel to and enjoy every moment with your family, completely carefree. Visit the website now and get your car rental quote!
