Whether your daily driver is parked in a repair bay or you touch down in a foreign city after a long flight, you might need to rent a car.
According to Statista, the car rental segment in the U.S. is on pace to bring in revenue of $31.54 billion this year. So, tons of people need to rent vehicles for any of a number of reasons.
While some car rental businesses pull out all the stops and offer great customer service, that doesn’t mean you can rest on your laurels. If you don’t know what you don’t know, you might end up with renter’s remorse. Keep reading to see 16 things car rental companies hope you don’t notice.
Hidden Fees
When people head to car dealerships, they don’t want a drawn-out process. But if you’re in a rush, that can be your undoing. Read through the rental agreement so that you’re not surprised by unexpected fees.
For instance, some car rental places charge for baby car seats and GPS units. It’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with the fuel charges and note if there are limits to how many miles you can put on the car.
Refueling Fees
Unless you’ve never rented a car before, you know that car rental businesses have refueling fees. So, if you leave the lot with a full tank of gas, you’re expected to return it with a full tank. You’ll be charged a hefty premium if the gas tank isn’t topped up to the same level you left with.
Pre-Existing Damage
Another thing some car dealerships hope you don’t notice is pre-existing damage. On the one hand, they don’t want you to view them as a company that rents out rough-around-the-edges vehicles. On the other hand, they might try to blame you for blemishes on the interior or exterior.
That’s why you must inspect a rental car before, not after, you drive off. No one wants to face charges for damages they didn’t cause.
Insurance Issues
One of the add-ons car rental companies will try to sell you is insurance coverage. But what they might not tell you is that your car insurance coverage will more likely than not cover your use of a rental car.
Call your car insurance provider and ask them if your coverage extends to rental vehicles. If it does, you don’t need the car rental company’s expensive coverage.
Complimentary Upgrades
Occasionally, car rental companies inform customers that they qualify for complimentary upgrades. But sometimes, a complimentary upgrade has some hidden fees attached. So, before accepting the upgrade, verify if there are extra expenses. You can then decide whether or not to accept.
Mileage Limitations
It’s worth repeating that you need to check to see if there are any mileage caps. Car rental businesses may charge a certain amount for every mile above any limits imposed. So, read the fine print before signing on the dotted line, or your car rental may be more expensive than you thought.
Charges for Extra Drivers
If going on a long trip, you might want multiple drivers to take turns behind the wheel. But that could cost you more since some car rental companies add extra fees for each additional driver. If you’d rather not accept those terms, find a car rental business that is more flexible.
Extra Fees for Young Drivers
Beware of extra costs for younger drivers. Some car rental businesses charge more if drivers are under certain ages as a risk-mitigation policy. Ask questions if you’re unsure.
Charges for Early or Late Returns
Car rental businesses also hope you don’t notice penalties for early or late returns. Those extra charges can add up, so some service providers hope you overlook any penalties listed in the agreement.
Limited Damage Waivers
If you do buy insurance coverage from a car rental company, find out if there are any exclusions. Some collision damage waivers exclude things like windshield or tire damage, for instance. You’ll want to know about any exclusions before you agree to pay extra for coverage.
Cleaning Fees
While no car rental company expects you to return the vehicle looking like it was just detailed, that doesn’t mean it should look like a dump. You can expect cleaning fees, likely higher than you think, if the staff at the company believe the condition is filthy.
Roadside Assistance
It’s also a good idea to look into potential costs associated with roadside assistance. If you already have AAA, you may not have to worry. Otherwise, you’ll want to know if the car rental company charges for roadside assistance and how much it charges.
Fees for Personal Belongings Left Behind
When you use a rental car and return it, ensure you take all your personal belongings with you. Some car rental businesses will charge you a handling fee if they have to remove your stuff and hold it for you.
You can prevent this indignity by taking a minute to ensure you take everything after you return the car.
Hidden Environmental Fees
Another thing to be on the lookout for is hidden environmental fees. If there are such fees, you’ll want the car rental company to be upfront and transparent. You should at least know the nature of the environmental fees.
GPS Tracking Policies
When using a rental car, you’ll want some privacy. But if that’s what you expect, you should dig deeper to learn about GPS tracking policies that could lead to unexpected expenses. Some car rental companies use GPS technology to track their rental fleet and observe speed limits. If you’re caught breaking any rules, you could be penalized with fines.
Higher Holiday and Weekend Fees
Car rental businesses tend to charge more on holidays and weekends. You don’t want to expect one rate and then be surprised by another. Avoid surprises by booking early and confirming the rate.
Knowledge Is Power
Before renting a car, ensure you know what you’re getting into. Car rental businesses hope you don’t notice certain things because when you don’t know what you don’t know, they can make more money from your patronage.
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