3 Things You Need to Be Aware of When Renting a Car

by Ernest Perez

If you are planning to rent a car for a family vacation or a business trip, you should ensure you are aware of every aspect of the hire. If you break the terms of the hire agreement, you may face additional fees when you finally return the car. Below are three things you should be aware of when renting a car.

Insurance

The majority of car hire companies only insure one person to drive the car. This person is usually the person named on the car hire agreement. However, it is possible to add additional named drivers. If you wish to have an additional driver added to the hire car insurance cover, you should request this at the time you book the hire car. You may have to pay an extra fee to have a second named driver added to the policy. You should never let anyone who isn't named on the hire agreement drive the hire car, even if they hold a valid licence. If you do so and they are involved in an accident, it is likely you will be liable for any damage to the car and other property, as the insurance policy will be invalid.

Out of State Driving

If you are planning a cross-country trip which will take you to another state, you should check that this is allowed under the terms of the car hire agreement. Some car rental companies will only allow a car to be driven within the state it is hired in. If you drive out of state, you could invalidate your insurance and roadside recovery policy, meaning that if you have an accident or breakdown, you will be liable for any expenses.

Accessories

You should not assume that accessories such as GPS systems and child seats will be included with your car rental, as car hire companies are not legally obligated to provide accessories such as these. You should carefully check what is included with the car before you sign the car hire agreement. Some car hire companies may charge an additional fee if you wish these accessories included with your car hire. If the hire company do not provide accessories, you will need to bring your own.

If you have any questions or concerns about the best car hire solution for your trip, contact a professional car hire company today. They will be able to talk you through a range of options to ensure you get the car hire that is right for you.

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