There are a few things and details to consider when renting a car. Otherwise, the loan can cost a lot of nerves and money.
Your own car is broken or you don't currently own a car? No problem, you can easily rent a car for individual trips. Nowadays there are numerous providers who rent their vehicles to customers online. As with car rental abroad, consumers also have to consider several points at home in order not to end up with horrendously high costs. Five tips can help you avoid such a disaster:
1. Give yourself enough time when choosing a rental car
Car rental companies have mushroomed in the last decade. The selection is therefore extremely diverse. You should give yourself enough time when looking for a rental car and check the various offers thoroughly. Because unlike other online contracts, there is no cancellation period in this case, warns the
ADAC
. This means that when you make a reservation, you can no longer cancel the rental agreement free of charge.
2. Pay attention to age limits when renting a car
Too old? Too young? Both possible when booking a rental car. Many companies specify both a minimum and a maximum age limit for their vehicles. You should therefore check carefully whether all registered drivers are within these limits at the time of the trip. If that's not the case, it's worth looking at another provider.
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3. Check the rental agreement at the counter
The vast majority of contracts are only signed upon handover at the rental car company's counter, even if you have previously booked the vehicle online. You should therefore check again carefully at the counter whether the contract conditions match your booking. Only then do you sign the contract.
4. Be careful with the fuel regulations for rental cars
If car rental companies offer you the option to receive the car with a full tank and return it empty, you should pay attention. After all, who manages to drive the vehicle empty down to the last drop? The better solution for you is the following alternative, as
Welt
explains: You receive the car with a full tank and return it again. This means you only have to pay for the tank that you actually use. Please pay attention to the company's fueling regulations when booking.
5. Adequate insurance coverage is important
To avoid enormous costs in the event of an accident, you should make sure that you have sufficient insurance. Liability, fully comprehensive and theft insurance are particularly important. When it comes to the subject of deductibles, the comparison portal
Check24
has a clear opinion and advises against it: “Insurance policies without deductibles are usually only slightly more expensive, but in the event of a claim there are no costs for you.”