Have you booked any of our deal, and you just started to plan your trip? In this article we collected couple useful information about renting a car during your holiday.

But before we start, here is information where to get the best selection and price on rental cars, one of the option is our partner – RENTALCARS.COM! It is the world’s biggest online car rental service.

Documents that you need to rent a car:

• Valid Driving Licence
• ID / Passport
• Credit Card / Debit Card**(see below at Payment method)

Age Restrictions:

Many rental company defines the minimum and maximum age, that you have to meet to be able to rent a car. However many rental companies will charge you an extra cost if you will be defined as a Young Driver / Senior Driver. The age classification for these categories varies company to company but young drivers usually under 25 years old, seniors over 65 years.

Insurances:

Let’s start with the main type of insurances:

• Third Party Liability Insurance (TPL): Every car has some kind of basic insurance (usually mandatory by law). It usually covers third party damage or loss in an accident. However in case of damage to the rented car, the renter is fully responsible!
• Collision Damage Waiver (CDW): It is also referred as loss damage waiver (LDW). This coverage technically isn’t insurance, rather, it’s a waiver. In case of any damage in the rented car it sets the amount which the renter is responsible for it.
• Collision Damage Waiver (SCDW): It is the same as Collision Damage Waiver, but it will even lower you deposit. Many companies even offer Zero Collision Damage Waiver, which means that you  won’t have to pay anything if the hire car gets damaged. But there are a few things not covered by most collision damage waivers. Typical exclusions include damage to tyres, windows, underside and roof, etc.
• Other Insurances: If you want to insure yourself against everything you will have the possibility to get: tyre insurance, sandstorm protection, river crossing protection, theft protection and many more based on location and company.

Deposit / Excess:

Rental companies collecting security deposit, which will cover traffic fines, missing petrol, and any damage in the rented vehicle.

If you rent a car only with Third Party Liability Insurance, rental company will charge you with the full amount of deposit/excess. It varies by country and by car category but it can reach couple thousands euro easily.

If you want to reduce the amount of deposit/excess, you have to pay for some kind of collision damage waiver.

Payment method:

90% of the companies require that the driver must be in possession of a Credit Card in his/her own name. There are cities, countries where you won’t be able to rent a card without a credit card (you can even loose your prepaid rental if you do not meet this criteria).

Rental by cash or Debit Card: It is not impossible 🙂 First you need to find a company, which will accept cash, or debit card payment. The company will require you, to pay for the highest available insurance package that they offer. (They will still block some amount on your account, or you will need to leave a cash deposit).

Collection, office hours:

Companies sometimes charge you extra if you want to pick up, or drop off your car in port/airport/ or any busy areas! Every rental agency has opening hours, if you want to pick up (or maybe drop off) your car out of these hours it will cost you more! Just check before, it can save you a lot, it is usually not included in the final price!

Petrol policy:

Rental agencies using very different methods, it is ALWAYS stated in your contract. The most commons are:

• Full to full: Tank will be full when you pick up, and you have to fill up when you drop off.
• Empty to empty (southern Europe): You will have just enough petrol in the tank to reach the first petrol station, and you should give it back empty too (there will be no refund for the fuel left in the tank).
• Pre-Purchase: You’ll pay for the fuel in the tank when you pick the car up. Try to drop the car off as empty as possible, as the car hire company won’t refund you for unused fuel.
• Pre-Purchase (Refunds/Partial Refunds): Pay for the fuel that’s in the tank when you pick your car up. You’ll get a refund/ partial refund for any fuel you don’t use.

Limited or unlimited Kilometers: 

Take extra caution when are choosing your rental company. Some company maybe offer cheaper prices, but they apply some mileage restrictions. If you exceed these mileage restriction you will have to pay for each extra kilometers an extra fee.

How to pick up your car:

After you signed every paper, you chose the proper insurance, your card was accepted the keys will be handed to you, and you can walk to your rental car! But before you leave the parking spot it is advised to check a few things!

• Check the level of fuel in the car! – If it is less that it should be, walk back to Rental Car Counter and raise this problem
• Walk around the car (interior/exterior) and check for any damages, check tyres and windows too, take photos to be able to prove that it was not caused by you! If you find any damage, it should be marked on the car damage sheet! if it is not indicated on the damage sheet, make sure that an employee of the company will add this damage too!

After all these steps just drive carefully, keep speed limits and enjoy your holiday!