You have to be careful of the hidden costs of renting a car, because they often will charge you for things without your knowledge.

If there are any scratches or other damage to the car, you will be charged, so look over the vehicle very carefully at the time you rent it, and make sire that any imperfections no matter how small are noted on the ticket.

They will also charge you an exorbitant amount for gas, so make sure to note how much is in the vehicle when you pick it up and drop it off.

They will want to sell you insurance, this is a very high rate for the amount of time you will have the vehicle, and you will probably be covered by your regular insurance. They will talk about the deductively, but look at the cost verses the deductible, and think about the thousands of miles you have driven with no accidents or scratches. There might be a time you would need it, but if you rent a car a hundred times, you would be money ahead not buying it.

To minimize the chance for denting and scratches, watch out in parking lots and don't park next to cars if you can help it.

Make sure you bring back the rental on time, as this will add fees on for sure. I once rented a car and it was paid for out of the insurance of the person who hit me, I wasn't able to give the car back right when the work was done because it was around Thanksgiving and the only times I could get to the mechanic they were closed, they called me when I returned the car and said they would try and get a concession from the insurance underwriter, instead of calling me back they charged my credit card, which being a debit card came out of my band account, I would have liked to know about this. So watch out, if in doubt they'll just charge your card rather than call.

Learn more about this author, William Hamilton.
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