Today, people are increasingly using car rental services. And all because it has long ceased to be a luxury. With car rental, it becomes possible to expand the toolkit for travel, business, and entertainment. Proper preparation allows you to make the whole process convenient and of high quality. It is important not only to choose a good company that meets the requirements of the customer. But also to choose the right car that will meet the purpose of the trip and the allocated budget.
When it becomes necessary to rent a car for a quick ride around the city and transportation luggage. The economy option is suitable. On narrow streets with good asphalt, choose a compact car – it is perfect for quick movement. Those who love active and extreme recreation should take care of an appropriate car, with a powerful engine and good shock absorption. There are also cases when people want to focus on their status. For example – during a business trip. In this case, rent a premium car. A large family or company will fit perfectly in a minibus.
You should pay attention to other criteria when choosing a car. Like, such as the type of gearbox, fuel consumption, overall dimensions, drive, and load capacity. Select all parameters strictly for the driver, since the safety of all passengers depends on their comfort.
How to rent a car
After the criteria for choosing a car are determined, it is necessary to find a suitable car rental company. An important characteristic of such companies is a focus on customer needs and a flexible pricing policy. Please note that some companies have special rental conditions. For example, for some, you can make a deal only when you are physically on the spot. While others accept online applications and resolve issues through special car rental software. Then there is no need for the company manager to be present. Because even the transaction agreement can be found in a special application.
Renting a car from a company is convenient because you can immediately see the car, and assess its condition. Also, can check the fuel level and replace it with another one in case of any damage. But when you need a car urgently, it all becomes inconvenient. You have to spend time going to the company’s office, inspecting and discussing agreements. While mobility is what those who decide to use a car rental pay attention to first of all.
Online rental allows you to make an instant transaction in the application from any location. And, you can track the location of free cars on the city map. The fact is that most online rental services work using an automated system, such as RentSyst, so the system already has information about the type of car, its characteristics, and its current state.
To conclude a deal with a company, you upload a photo of your documents to the application. And the car rental system automatically checks them and draws up an agreement. Such rental services are now chosen by the majority due to their convenience. However, online car rental also has its drawbacks as there is a risk of renting a damaged car or with an empty tank. Then you will have to spend time again on a refund and re-rent. But to be honest, this is rare, because the employees of the car rental company constantly check the condition of the cars. Since this is their reputation and income.
How to get/return a car
Renting a car is a simple service, and it was designed to provide the customer with maximum comfort. For this, an automated car rental management system was invented. And yet it has its own characteristics that you need to know before concluding a deal. The car you are going to rent must be registered with a legal entity. Otherwise, you risk taking a car that is wanted or pledged by the bank. Check this information, ask questions, and ask to see documents.
Attention above all! Read the contract carefully: it does not matter if you rent a car from a rental center or through an app. Save a copy of the agreement to your phone. So that, if the company changes the terms, you can show the original version and resolve a possible dispute. Inspect the car for dents and scratches. Check them against the list of damages in the “delivery-acceptance” log. If they do not match, take a photo. And do it right away before you start moving. Otherwise, the company may decide it was you who damaged the car.
Car rental companies provide free consultations to each customer on any issues. Therefore, do not be afraid to clarify even the most seemingly obvious things. After all, you can miss something when reading the contract. And, most misunderstandings arise precisely because of inattention or fear of asking the manager a question. This is especially true for car insurance. After all, in the event of an accident. You will know where to go and what types of damage the insurance company will cover. Also, check with the manager of the company:
- Car rental terms. Almost all companies operate in the same way – they do not extend the return period for more than ten minutes. But if this happens, the payment for an additional day can be like for a one-day rental. And this is not an economical option at all.
- Mileage limit per day. There are companies that calculate each kilometer with an additional fee if the approved limit is exceeded.
- Fuel level at delivery. Usually, it is the same as at the time of the transaction. And in order to correctly determine the amount of fuel in the tank. After the transaction, immediately go to the gas station to fill up a full tank. Look at the technical passport of the car, what the volume of the fuel tank is, and minus the number of filled liters from its volume.
It is worth remembering some nuances: you cannot drive a car outside the country. You should return the car with the same amount of fuel you took it with. When you return a dirty car, the car wash is carried out at your expense and you always need to be in touch.
Acceptance and return
Step 1. Inspect the car from all sides, and take a photo or video recording of the inspection. If there are defects, scratches, or dents, be sure to indicate this in a special document. You need to keep this document for some time after the lease is in order. To reinsure yourself against possible misunderstandings.
Step 2. Check the car documentation and read the contract carefully. You should not take a car that is older than 5 years. Or, has a mileage of more than 100 thousand kilometers. Such cars may have technical malfunctions for which you will have to pay later.
Step 3. After using the car, leave it in the place specified by the contract. Take a photo from all angles, including fuel level and mileage. Check the glove compartment, and trunk and take all your belongings.
Step 4. If you see the manager of the rental company in the parking lot, ask them to check the car. After that, they will unblock your rental account and the security deposit will be returned to your card. If the manager is not in place, leave the car keys in a special box near the company’s office. And upload a photo of the car to a special application.
As you can see, using a car rental service is not at all difficult. The main thing is to carefully read the documents that you sign, comply with the terms of the contract and enjoy your vacation with the car of your choice.