Renting a car is always a great idea to consider when taking a vacation. It can save you from spending too much on taxi rides, provide added safety and security compared to taking public transportation and finally, offers convenience during sudden schedule changes.

However, it can also present a lot of unnecessary headaches if you’re not careful. Fortunately, most of these issues can easily be prevent with the following steps that we are going to share with you below.

1. Limit Additional Drivers

We highly recommend driving your own rental as much as you can. It is only natural for some people to be more careless and irresponsible when they know that they are not going to be held liable for any mishaps. However, we also understand that there are trips that are simply too tiring to drive alone. If that’s the case, then you should definitely include the additional driver’s name in your rental contract. This will protect your insurance coverage should something happen that will merit a claim.
We also know that it might not seem to be the most affordable option for those having family vacations on a budget, but it will actually save you a lot of money and headaches.

2.Know the Policies and Terms of Use.

Know what is covered and what’s not from your insurance. Find out what are the cases in which it does not cover. Learn about the rules for crossing the border and the km restrictions. Check

3. Always Inspect and take photos

You don’t want to be responsible for another persons’s misuse of the car. Always inspect every single rental car you get with great detail – inside and out – this is our most important rental car tip.Note any damages with the company and take photos just in case. This needs to happen before you drive off the lot for the first time with your rental car. 

4. Make sure you get the Full Insurance

Even if you think you are the best driver in the world, or even if you are, consider buying the no excess full damage waiver insurance. The full insurance will cover your damages in case of an accident. Most of the car rental damages though, are not accidents. They are small cost damages like scratches or broken tires and mirrors. The last thing you want is parking your car for the night to find one of the mirrors missing in the morning. Or have someone scratch your car when parked only to find out when you return to the vehicle. These kind of damages are not covered by insurance and that’s why we at MCY suggest to all our customers to select the Full Insurance  in order to have peace of mind.

5. Stay on paved roads

This one probably sounds pretty obvious, but hear us out. There are not many rental agencies that are fine with you taking a rental car off-roading. And off-roading doesn’t have to be someone going mud running. Let’s say you’re in Hawaii and want to visit a scenic part of the beach that doesn’t have a road laid out to it. Same goes for tailgating on a plot of grassy land. Both of those are technically off-roading, and both of them would be a violation of your rental agreement. If you wind up getting stuck in the mud with a rental car in a place where you shouldn’t have been driving, the fees to get it unstuck and cleaned up fall on you.

6. Ask what kind of fuel your rental car uses.

Unless you plan on paying double the fuel cost by leaving the car tank empty when returning, make sure you know on what kind of fuel your vehicle runs with.

7. Fill up the tank before returning the car

Your vacation was a blast, but now it’s time to turn the car in and head home. The only problem is you brought the car back with an empty tank. Could you let the rental shop fill it up for you? Absolutely, but you could wind up paying two or three the going price per gallon. We can all spare 10 minutes and top off the tank before returning the car. Even if you’re already pulling into the airport, it’s worth your time to turn around and find a local gas station to fill up at.

8. Bring your own extras, when possible

Sometimes you need more than just a car for the trip, and rental car companies are great about having extras available for rent for your vacation. To save the convenience fee, you can bring some of the extras with you from home. For instance, instead of using the GPS from the agency you rent from, just use the maps app on your phone for navigation, as long as it won’t kill your data plan. Same thing goes for satellite radio. Listening to the 80s on 8 is great, but it’s a little more enjoyable listening to the goofy ads on the local stations

9. Familiarize yourself with the Rental vehicle.

Every car is different. Chances are that you will not be renting the same car model as you drive back home. Before heading out, make sure to take some time to adjust the seat and mirrors to your liking. Check where the car functions such as Air Conditioning, lights, windshield wipers and handbrake are located. Once you have familiarized yourself with the vehicle you are ready to go.

10. Return on Time

Finally, don’t forget to return your car on time, not a day earlier or later. Doing so might result in penalties. Make sure to let the rental car company know if there are any unexpected changes to your drop-off time as soon as possible to discuss the potential waving of additional fees.
Renting a car doesn’t have to be expensive. By keeping the tips we have shared with you in mind, we are confident that you will be able to keep your trip both convenient and cost-efficient.

We wish you safe travels!