Renting a car used to be an easy and cost-efficient means of getting around while you travel. But have you seen how much car rental agencies charge these days? If you're paying your car rental bill out of your own pocket, you may feel like you're paying too much for convenience. With the rising price of fuel, it's understandable that car rental fees would charge a little more. But what about those hidden charges you see on your car rental bill? When look at you look at your car rental bill more closely, you'll see that these charges are so high, they amount to a big chunk of your bill.

Most car rental agencies won't tell you this, but most of those hidden charges are optional. You can save money by having them removed in your car rental bill. We'll show you what these hidden charges are, what they mean, and how you can talk your way out of them.

* Airport taxes and surcharges is what car rental agencies charge you extra for the convenience of picking up your rental car at the airport. This extra service can actually amount to 10% of your total bill. The reason they charge you more when you want your car bought to the airport is because of taxes and concession fees. Car rental agencies have to pay concession fees to the airport management every time they bring a rental to the airport. The agency also has to pay business taxes to the local government for doing business at the airport.

Most airports and some car rental companies have free shuttle service with fixed routes. To remove this hidden charge from your car rental bill, take advantage of this free service and just have your car dropped off at a location away from the airport. That way, the car rental reduces cost and you don't get charged extra for their service.

* Collision Damage or Loss Damage Waiver is the extra $10-$25 you have to pay per day in order to avoid liability for any damage on your car rental, provided that the damage wasn't caused by gross negligence.

Most car insurance and credit card insurance cover rental cars as part of their standard coverage. Check if your insurance company covers rental cars and if they do, have the Loss Damage Waiver removed. You're just wasting money if you're paying for collision damage on top of your regular insurance.

* Car rental companies often advertise that paying for gasoline charges is one way for you to save on your car rental bill. They rationalize that by paying this one-time charge, you get your rental car with a full tank and you can return your car with an empty tank. You save time because you don't have to go to the gas station yourself to fill up your tank.

The problem with gas charges is you don't get a refund if you don't use up all your fuel. Rather than paying for gas charges, fill the tank yourself. That way, you're only paying for the amount of fuel you're using.

* A drop-off fee is a hidden charge when you leave your rental at a different place from where you picked it up. Depending on where you drop-off your car, the drop-off fee can be free or it can be as high as a $1,000.

To avoid having drop-off fees, return your rental car from where you picked it. Or if that's not possible, do your homework and look for places where the drop-off fees are low.

* Most people believe that by returning your rental car early would lower your car rental fees. What actually happens is that car rental companies would charge early return fees. These fees could cost you around $10 to $15 per day. Not only that, they may change your rental rate from a weekly rate to a daily rate, which could cost you hundreds of dollars. To avoid early return fees, just return your car on the date that was set on your rental policy.

Listed above are just some of the hidden charges that you'll see on your car rental bill. Other hidden charges are the result of breaking your rental policy, which can result in penalties. The more penalties you incur, the higher your car rental bill becomes. In order to avoid adding to your bill, make sure you read and understand your policy before you finalize the rental. Knowing what you can and can't do with your rental car can help avoid getting charged with additional fees when your bill comes.

You can cut rental costs even on a one way car rental and on other rental car charges by visiting our online car rental information center.

Posted under Cars

Receiving damage to a car that you have rented can be a very stressful experience. Those who do not have the appropriate collision and liability insurance can find themselves in the middle of a serious financial crisis. When settling car rental damages, there are a number of considerations that one should be aware of to ensure a trouble free resolution.

When you rent a car, you will usually have insurance through your own car insurance policy, or insurance that is available through your credit card, or you will have obtained insurance through the car rental company. It is important to be aware of the limitations that may be attached to a credit card's car rental insurance policy. As well, some rental car insurance policies will include comprehensive coverage, but there may be limits imposed on what and how much they will cover.

The process of submitting a claim requires completing a number of actions as outlined in your insurance policy. The process can vary, but generally, you need to do the following:

1. If your insurance is provided either by your credit card company, rental car insurance company, or your own car insurance company, you will have to contact them directly.

2. Each company will have their own form that you will have to fill out. You will have to send the form and all appropriate documents to the company. Some insurance companies have online forms that can be downloaded and filled out.

3. To claim for loss or damages to the rental car, you will need to provide the following:

Proof of the rental agreement. (submitting a copy) Rental car inspection report prior to renting the car. This includes the walk around report that the car rental companies use to identify any scratches, dents, and other damages before you rented the car. A copy of the police report A copy of the damage inspection after the car was returned to the rental company A copy of the repair invoice or damage estimate from the rental agency. It will include an itemized repair list A receipt for repairs

4. To pursue your claim for losses resulting from rental car damage, you will be provided with a contact mailing address where you mail your claim. Once costs and damages have been determined, the insurance company will provide the coverage.

There may possibly be a dispute over repair charges. An insurance company has the right to send a claims adjustor to inspect the damaged car before it is repaired or disposed of. If you don't have insurance, a rental company can make repairs without an inspection. It is important to be aware that if you are not adequately covered, you may incur some expenses. Some rental car agreements may require that one reimburses for the full value of the car. You should check to make sure you have the appropriate coverage. As well, some agreements require immediate reimbursement for damages, so they may immediately charge your credit card.

There may be other expenses that you are not covered for that can include: administrative fees, towing expenses, storage fees, and inspection and appraisal fees. It is important to read the fine print of your insurance policy to make sure you are comfortable with your coverage.

Purchasing the right insurance for a rental car can make all the difference if you suddenly find yourself in a potentially expensive car accident. When you pick up your car from the car rental company, make sure you inspect the exterior for damage. Being prepared will provide you with peace of mind when you are on the road. In the event of an accident, it will be a lot less stressful if you know exactly what steps have to be taken to settle any damages.

Posted under Cars