Renting a car during your travels can appear like a deceptively simple task. You pay the rental service, hop in your ride of choice and go from point A to B. No prior thought required! Unfortunately, this is not quite the case for everyone.

Different people have different needs and these needs should absolutely be considered when choosing a rental car during your travels. Here are our expert tips to get the most out of your next car rental.

DEFINE YOUR RENTAL CAR NEEDS

A modern rental car company will most likely offer a wide range of vehicle options to cover every need under the sun. With this in mind, it’s important to define what exactly your travel needs are before making a final decision.

Will you be driving long distances in your rental car? If so, you may want to opt for a luxury ride that provides a higher level of comfort if you have room in your budget.

Likewise, you may want to rent a larger vehicle if you have a lot of luggage or a convertible if you expect the weather to be perfect. The more defined your needs are, the more you can be confident when choosing a rental car.

SIZE MATTERS

Contrary to popular belief, size actually does matter, at least when it comes to renting a vehicle. Aside from costing you more at the pump, larger vehicles are also more complicated to maneuver, which might not be ideal if you are visiting a country with narrow roads and limited parking.

On the positive side, larger vehicles have more space for your luggage and family members and can provide a certain sense of security that smaller rental cars often do not. In the end, choosing your vehicle size comes down to weighing the pros and cons according to your needs.

DO YOUR HOMEWORK

Once you have defined your specific needs and thought about the size of rental car that suits you best, it’s important to research the terms and conditions of your rental company, especially when booking online. Some things to look out for include:

  • Are there any applicable penalties or late fees?
  • What rental car services are included (free GPS, additional driver, etc.)
  • Are there any travel restrictions?
  • Are there any liabilities you should be aware of?

PURCHASE INSURANCE

Your rental car company will no doubt ask if you want to purchase their insurance. This is highly recommended since you never know what can happen on the road, especially in a foreign country, and it is always better to be safe than sorry.

CONCLUSION

As you can see, there are many things worth considering when choosing a rental car during your travels. Start by defining your needs and then you can think about what kind of car is right for you.

Once you have a good idea what kind of vehicle you want, you can research the car rental company policies and don’t forget to purchase insurance for peace of mind!