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After days and weeks of planning, you finally select a city for your holidays. It has nightlife, beaches, swanky malls, culture, cuisine, events, and almost everything you want.
But there’s one major decision you have to make: how do you get around? Would a taxi serve the purpose, or is it convenient to choose public transport? Car rentals are an option, but are they any good? What are their benefits?
Before you go ahead and click the book now tab on an online booking website, get the answers to these questions below.
Advantages of car rentals
Privacy
One of the top reasons people choose rental cars is their complete privacy. You can carry on a conversation freely without worrying about the driver interrupting or overhearing any of it. There are no restrictions related to music, eating, or almost anything else. If you’re traveling with your partner, spouse, or friends, then the privacy factor becomes all the more vital. If you are on a honeymoon, rentals are perhaps the best idea.
Convenience
With taxis, you will depend on someone to drive you around, which can become bothersome after a while, particularly during a vacation. Moreover, you might want to attend a festival during odd hours when taxis or public transport might not be available or convenient. Car rentals can help you avoid all of these concerns.
Hygiene
A rental car will come cleaned and washed before use. Hygiene will always be an issue with any form of public travel, including cabs. But when you rent a car, you don’t have to worry about cleanliness or hygiene. In a world of social distancing, rental cars are a godsend.
Select the kind of vehicle you want
Before booking a self-drive car, you can take a look at the various models available while considering the features of each. Go with one that appeals to you the most.
You can choose a compact, stylish minivan or any other vehicle you think is the most appropriate. The company will try to provide you with the car of your choice.
Most cars available for rentals are equipped with the latest technology like GPS, Bluetooth-enabled speakers, automatic emergency braking, and wireless smartphone charging. Of course, the number of features will vary from one car to another.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Exceeding the mileage limits
Some companies will offer you unlimited mileage, but others won’t. If you cross the number of miles covered for a particular city or area, you might have to pay extra money. The company would usually charge you a specific sum for every additional mile. It is advisable to ask the company regarding the mileage policy beforehand.
Renting the wrong car
You might be tempted to select a car more for its appearance than functionality during your vacation. However, it is best to avoid that at all costs. Keep in mind the purpose before choosing a vehicle.
An economical car might serve the same purpose as a luxury car, and in that case, it’s better to select the former rather than the latter. You might also consider the landscape and cityscape before making a decision. For instance, if you’re moving around in the city, it’ll be easier to find a parking spot for smaller cars, but if you’re taking a long road trip from your hotel, an SUV will make more sense as it offers better comfort and convenience.
Not having adequate insurance
Having wrong or inadequate insurance is perhaps the worst mistake you could make. Talk to your insurer before renting a car to understand if and how your current policy would cover the rented vehicle.
Without the right insurance policy, you could end up paying for damages from your pocket in the event of an accident.
Book your car from trusted sources
It is better to book your rented car either from the company itself or through trusted online car booking websites that offer you a wide variety of choices and let you compare prices. You can even check out the various locations for pick-up in each city and plan your trip accordingly.
