10 Common Mistakes People Make When Renting a Car

If you have ever been surprised at your unexpectedly high rental car bill, then you may have fallen victim to some of the most common mistakes people make when renting a car. This review discusses the 10 most common mistakes people make when renting a car. 

10 mistakes to avoid when renting a car

The most notable mistakes to avoid when renting a car includes exceeding the miles per day limit, dropping the car off at a different location, booking through an OTA, and returning the car with less than a full tank, among other mistakes that are discussed below.

Exceeding the miles per day limit

Many rental car companies offer “unlimited miles,” but this comes with many restrictions that are important to understand. Most notably, the unlimited miles offer typically only applies to a certain area so don’t drive outside the designated area. For example, if you rent a car in Miami, then you may have unlimited miles for the Miami area only, and you may be charged extra if you leave the city. Other rental car companies may simply have a strict mileage limit, and it can become costly to exceed the limit. 

Dropping the car off at a different location

It may seem more convenient, but dropping off at a different location than where you picked up your rental car can come with high costs. In some cases, you could pay more than three times what the cost would otherwise be if you dropped off your rental car at the same location. Therefore, drop off at the same location whenever possible. 

Booking through a third-party website

Booking through an online travel agency (OTA) often comes with increased fees. In addition, you are less likely to collect reward points and credits when you book through a third-party website. While checking an online travel agency may be a good place to start, be sure to check the rental car company’s website directly to see if there are any benefits from booking directly with them, such as lower costs and the ability to collect reward points.

Connecting your cell phone to the Bluetooth system

Connecting your cell phone to the rental car’s Bluetooth system is a great way to play your music while you drive. However, this can store your phone number, contacts, and other important information in the car’s system. This means the next driver of the rental car may stumble upon your private information on your phone, which certainly carries certain risks. Instead, while it may require some sacrifice, avoid using the Bluetooth connection for your rental vehicle, unless you know for certain that you can delete your phone from the Bluetooth system.

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Not adequately assessing the vehicle before leaving the lot

Not checking the vehicle before you leave the lot is one of the most common mistakes made when renting a car. This is often due to being in a hurry and simply wanting to grab the keys and get on the road. However, if there are any issues with the car before you leave that are not reported, then you may be held accountable. Subsequently, it is encouraged to check the following before you leave the rental car lot:

• Ensure the car has a full tank of gas
• Inspect the car’s body for any damage
• Make sure the headlights and taillights work
• Ensure the tires are properly inflated

If there are any concerns, then report them to the rental car company before you leave. Be sure to also take pictures as well. If you are paying for extra features (i.e. all-wheel drive), then you can look up the car’s VIN number to ensure you have the extra features you paid for. 

Returning the car with an empty gas tank

Most rental car companies require drivers to return the vehicle with a full tank of gas. The problem with this is they do not buy cheap gas; they instead will charge you far more than you would pay if you filled the car up yourself before returning. Another useful tip is to only fill up the gas tank right before you return the vehicle. 

Paying for unnecessary insurance coverages

Your auto insurance policy may cover the cost of damage to rental cars. If this is the case, then you may not need to pay for extra insurance coverages. By checking to see if your auto insurance policy covers the temporary use of rental vehicles, you may be able to decline the extra coverage. However, if you are concerned that a claim involving the rental car may impact your premium, then purchasing the additional insurance coverage may still be a good idea. 

Returning the rental car past the grace period

Plan to return your rental car as early as possible. This will avoid any setbacks that could make the return considered late. Many rental car providers do offer a grace period (usually between 30 minutes and an hour), but going over the grace period could lead to some serious charges. In many instances, they even charge drivers for an additional day. 

Not taking advantage of reward points and discounts

Reward points are a great way to save money if you frequently travel and rent cars. Be sure to find some great discount opportunities that allow you to save money occasionally when renting a car. This list of rental car reward programs by Value Penguin offers some great options to check out. 

Not paying highway tolls yourself

Rental car companies often charge hefty rates to cover the cost of tolls. Many drivers that are unaware of the toll charges are surprised when they receive the bill from the rental car provider. To avoid these hefty fees, pay tolls yourself or avoid them altogether.