5 Things To Know About Renting a Car

4. Get the final price
The advertised and quoted fare is almost never what you end up paying. Taxes and fees added on to that daily rate are enormous and not always mentioned until the final bill. Make sure you are clear with your rental agent about the total price including taxes and fees before you drive off the lot. Otherwise, you'll be nailed with a bill that is higher than you expected.

5. Collision coverage isn't mandatory
If you're renting domestically, chances are your personal car insurance will cover the rental car already. If you don't want to involve your insurance company or pay the deductible in case of an accident, by all means, get the coverage. In other cases, your credit card may cover collision damage, but not necessarily liability or personal injury. It's the agent's job to give you the high-pressure sales pitch at the counter, so arm yourself with knowledge to make an informed decision before you sign.

Published July 19, 2011.

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