Saturday, June 14, 2008

Car Rental for Under 19's

In most countries, car rental companies only cater for drivers that are older than 21 or 23 years of age. Even in South Africa it can be quite difficult to get a company that does’nt wrinkle their noses at younger drivers.

Why on earth do we qualify for licenses once we reach the age of eighteen? I’ve asked this question numerous times over the years.
I think the fact that its so hard to rent a car if your under-21 can be compared to the same reasoning applied to car insurance. The younger you are the more you pay. And, if you are under 25 then your payments per month are particularly more than someone of lets say 30 years of age.

As far as I know, it’s because there’s a larger risk involved with younger drivers. The high accident rate obtained by some reckless under 21 drivers has caused young drivers from all over immense distress.

For tourists, students and anyone under 21, travelling can be quite an issue. A country like South Africa for instance has barely any form of decent affordable public transport. A private taxi is very highly priced, trains are dangerous and local minivan taxi’s are generally overcrowded.

Now where will you find reliable, affordable transport?

Browsing the Internet I found very few car rental sites who considered renting cars to people under 21. Eventually I found one specific site who took under 21’s into consideration.

I could barely believe it! A car hire company who trusts someone under the age of 25? Even better- a car rental company who caters for under 21’s, under 20’s AND under 19’s!

I was quickly inspecting the website, trying to find some or other catch somewhere in the text. Nothing. They have one or two specific requirements and that’s it.

They even state that they will meet all your car rental requirements and rent you a car that’s affordable, reliable and economical. Being economical is quite important as South Africa has been hit by numerous petrol hikes in the last couple of months.

As an added bonus, you can collect and drop off your car almost anywhere in South Africa. Not only do you get unlimited kilometres and insurance, you can also cross the South African border into neighboring countries.

SO if you have a valid drivers license, a clean record and your 18 years or older, you can relax! Whenever you need a car rental in South Africa you will be able to get it. Under 19, 20 or 21’s rest assured!
Car Rental for Under 19's
Author: Robert

Thursday, June 12, 2008

Car Rental on Vacation

The most common time a person will rent a car is when on vacation. If you fly to your vacation destination, bringing your car with you is simply not an option. Some areas have public transportation you can use, but getting a taxi service every time you want to go out is not only an added expensive, but also an impracticality. Unless you intend to explore the same area each and every day of your vacation, you are going to need a rental car.

Because so many travelers turn to car rental, most of the country’s airports have car rental companies that are stationed right inside the airport. Airport car rental is a convenient option for travelers. You can make your reservations before you arrive, and your car is waiting for you when you get to your destination. All you do is sign a few pieces of paperwork, pay for the rental car, and away you go! Airport car rental is becoming almost a necessity for travelers, as more and more people are flying to their vacation destinations. If you are planning on taking advantage of airport car rental on your next vacation, remember to check with the airport to see all of the car rental companies they have. Explore your options so that you can get the best price on your rental car.

Wednesday, June 11, 2008

Should You Take Rental Car Insurance - Tips and Know How

When renting a car for business or personal purposes one of the questions that may come up is do you need rental car insurance. Auto insurance protects you from unforeseen circumstances. When renting a car most car rental agencies will try and sell you auto insurance coverage.

Auto insurance sold by car rental firms will include:

• Collision Damage Waiver or Loss Damage Waiver which will protect you against damage or theft of rental car. The coverage is however void if you drive under intoxication, have an accident due to speeding, or drive on unpaved roads.

• Liability Insurance as required by the law of your state. This gives excess liability coverage but will not suffice in case of a serious accident.

• Personal Accident Insurance covering you and the passengers for medical and ambulance bills.

• Personal Effects Coverage that protects personal items from theft.

But before you buy any coverage you must consider:

a. If you rent cars very often then it will be cheaper for you to purchase a non-owner insurance coverage that will protect you and your spouse and will most probably include uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage, personal injury protection or PIP, and medical coverage. However, you may need to buy a collision damage waiver from the rental company to protect the rental vehicle.

b. You need to check with your own auto insurance policy whether it covers rental cars. More often than not the liability coverage limits that exist on the auto insurance policy owned by you will be effective for rental cars too. Just check with your policy whether it covers rental cars.

c. Many credit cards offer coverage. So check whether your card offers this facility and what the specific terms and conditions are. Find out if you need to be enrolled to get coverage.

d. The latest in car rentals is being responsible for damaged caused by “acts of nature.” Ensure that you understand what each phrase in the car rental contract means and always dig in your heels and demand a clear explanation for any clauses you don’t understand. Check if your personal auto insurance policy covers “acts of nature” for rental cars.

e. Auto insurance coverage for rental vehicles differs from company to company so find out clearly who and what is covered by the auto insurance in case of a rental car. Many policies may cover only you or you and your spouse.

f. If you are renting a car outside the US your auto insurance policy may not cover loss and damage to the rented vehicle or liability injury. When traveling abroad you may need additional coverage.

g. Find out before you rent a vehicle if the auto rental company includes basic automobile liability and standard comprehensive insurance protection as well as theft insurance as part of the service at no additional charge.

Before you decide on rental car insurance surf the World Wide Web and read up on rental car advice as well as auto insurance needs written by experts in the travel and insurance business. This will update you on the latest requirements and introduce you to auto insurance necessities. This knowledge will enable you to take the right decisions.

Should You Take Rental Car Insurance - Tips and Know How
By Barry Allen

Why Buy RV Rental Insurance?

Many people choose to rent recreational vehicles (RVs) to use while on vacation. Some of the time, these rental RVs can be covered through the driver’s auto insurance policy. The way to do this is to first obtain an Insurance Binder/Endorsement from the auto insurance provider. Next, the RV rental agency must be added to the auto insurance policy as an “additionally insured” and a “loss payee.” There are many limits and complications to this option. Many drivers find that this coverage is not adequate and choose to purchase additional coverage through the rental agency. This is often a better option because it is less complicated and provides more comprehensive coverage. RV rental insurance is usually very reasonably priced and is most often secured through MBA Insurance.

It is a good idea for RV renters to purchase additional RV rental insurance. This covers the renter if there are damages to the RV, or if the RV damages other vehicles or property. The fact that most RV renters do not regularly drive RVs makes rental insurance a particularly good idea. RV rental insurance can usually be purchased from the RV rental agency for a reasonable daily fee. The fee varies depending on the rental agency and the particular model of RV. Insurance for smaller RVs starts around $15 per day, with medium sized RVs often costing $20 a day, and the largest models costing $25 daily. It is usually a good idea for renters to purchase Supplemental Liability Insurance. This insurance usually costs about $10 a day and provides the renter with liability protection up to one million dollars.

Most RV rental agencies provide insurance through MBA Insurance. MBA is the top name in RV rental insurance and has provided its services since 1978. MBA protects both renters and the rental agencies. Their policies save the rental agencies money by insuring the renters and keeping costs low for the rental agency. MBA Insurance provides the renter with full coverage, including liability up to a million dollars, collision, uninsured motorist, and comprehensive. Most RV renters choose to purchase this insurance through the RV rental agency, but it can also be obtained through the renter’s auto insurance company in many cases.

RV rental insurance covers the renter for most road-related damages and liability. Most RV rental insurance doesn’t cover the interior of the recreational vehicle. Renters must be especially careful with the appliances and furniture in the RV, as those items are not usually covered by insurance.

Why Buy RV Rental Insurance?
By Elizabeth Morgan

Rental Car Insurance

Purchasing a collision damage waiver or not is at times a complex decision for most users at the rental car shop. The collision damage waiver (CDW) pays for damages to the rented vehicle in case it gets into an accident. Nevertheless, rental car insurance is not a California auto insurance, it is just a rental contract that takes care of damages done to the vehicle.

Prior to paying for this rental car insurance, auto insurance companies will you to abide by this rules to assist you in making an affirmative decision.

- Check your existing auto insurance policy:

Inform your auto insurance company before renting a car. We are sure you will not love to pay additional money for the insurance you have already. Most auto insurance companies will offer liability coverage when someone is injured in a crash.

- Check your credit cards:

There are situations where you will pay for damages with your credit card, when an accident occurs. For eligibility, you possibly will reject the CDW, and also debit your card with the full charge for the rental car. Find out if your credit card provides such services.

- You may have to purchase the collision damage waiver:

You may comfortably reject the collision damage waiver if you know that your insurance or card provides for the liability. However, purchasing the collision damage waiver might be the solution for most rental car users.

The reasons are:

If your own auto insurance or credit card didn’t cover you, then you may have to purchase the collision damage waiver. It makes sense to pay only $8 to $11 per day instead of paying $15,000 to $20,000 for loss of the rental car.

This collision damage waiver covers loss of use. Several California auto insurance companies will not pay for loss of use under your policy. But there are some who pays, such as Alaska, Louisiana, Connecticut, Minnesota, New York, North Dakota, Texas, and Rhode Island.

When accidents happen, certain rental car insurance companies will demand upfront payment, which means that your own auto insurance company will reimburse you later. It becomes an expensive payment for certain travelers.

Rental Car Insurance
By Ali Edenhson

Tuesday, June 10, 2008

Other Needs for Car Rentals

While most of us think of renting a car when we go on vacation, car rental fills other needs as well. Here is a scenario to consider. Your family only has one vehicle, and the transmission goes out. You take it to your local mechanic, but he does not have a loaner car for you. What are you going to do? How are the kids going to get to school each day? Are you going to simply pack them into a taxi and send them on their way? If you are a responsible parent, you probably won’t. You need a car rental company so you can rent a car until yours is repaired.

Another scenario that would require a rental car is a car breaking down during a time that you simply must be able to drive. Perhaps you are going to an important event, such as a relative’s wedding, and the morning of the event your car won’t start. You will not have time to take it to the mechanic to be fixed, so you must rent a car.

There are several car rental companies that cater to customers with these needs. They will deliver the rental car to your location, so you do not have to worry about how you will get to the car you are going to rent. This takes much of the stress out of situations when your car is out of commission.

Monday, June 9, 2008

Car Rental Reimbursement

1. What is Rental Reimbursement?
An auto accident can happen at any time and anywhere. Having auto insurance is extremely important to getting your vehicle fixed. But what if you won’t have a vehicle for awhile while the repairs are being made? That is where having rental reimbursement insurance comes in handy. Rental insurance is not only convenient, but can save you money on car rentals.

Rental reimbursement is offered through almost every auto insurance company. It is always an optional insurance, which means you will pay more for it in your premium. However, the price is minimum compared to what renting a car will be while yours is being fixed. When you are selecting rental insurance, make sure to think about the size and model of the vehicle you would need, especially if you have a large family and need to have a lot of room.

In most cases, the deductible on your own insurance policy would have to be paid if you are involved in an accident in the rental car. After that is paid, the insurance will cover the rest. This will include the use of a rental car, usually for a set period of time. Talk to your insurance company to understand how long you can rent a car for if needed, and just what your rental insurance covers.
2. Rental Insurance
There are many questions one may have when driving a rental vehicle. Insurance is an important factor to consider when driving a rental car. Most people want to know whether they need to have insurance when they drive a rental car or truck. Many times it depends on how much insurance you have on your own vehicle. Most of the time, having coverage and deductibles on your own vehicle will be enough to cover a rental car. You will need to talk to your insurance carrier to see just how much they will cover. Typically, having comprehensive and collision on your auto will cover a rental vehicle that becomes damaged in an accident. Make sure to find out if the collision coverage on your own auto insurance policy will also cover a rental.

With all insurance coverage, there are specific lengths of time that you can rent a vehicle and still receive rental reimbursement. Your contract will state just how long this may be. It can depend on what happens to your car, as well; if it is being fixed, if it was totaled or if it was stolen. Talk to your insurance company or check your contract to find out the length of time you will have to rent a vehicle. Most companies allow a generous amount of time to rent a vehicle while yours is being fixed.

Sunday, June 8, 2008

Car Rental,Cost of Renting a Car

There is no cut and dried cost to car rental. Your cost will be based on several factors. First, the car you choose will affect the cost. Typically, the larger the car, the more it costs to rent. If you need to rent a van or SUV, for example, you will pay more than for a compact car.

Remember to consider the size of the people and their luggage when you choose a car. It can be tempting to pick an economy sized car to save some money, but you want to make sure you will not be driving down the road with a suitcase in your lap! Only rent the car that has the size you need, and you will be fine.

Another thing that can affect your cost is any extras you want in the car. Some car rental companies will loan you car seats, DVD players, and GPS systems. This is great, but they cost extra. Only rent them if you need them.

Finally, check on the mileage requirements for your rental car. Most car rental companies have a mileage limit on their cars. If you drive over the mileage limit for your rental time, you will be charged a per-mile fee. This can be quite steep.

Choosing a Car Rental Company

Most consumers choose their car rental company based on which one has the most affordable rate. This can be a good way to choose, but there are some other things you want to consider when making the decision as to which company to rent a car from. First, make sure the car rental company you are considering is reliable and has a good reputation. This is important, because you will likely pay for your rental car with your credit card, and if the company claims you damaged the car they can charge you. Also, you want to make sure you will be getting a reliable car, and this is certain when you choose a reliable car rental company.

Next, check the terms and conditions the company has for their car rental services. Make sure there are no hidden fees or clauses that you may want to avoid. Also, check the minimum age requirement if you are younger than thirty. Most car rental companies will have a minimum age. You can usually rent a car if you are younger than this age, but you will be paying extra.

Another consideration is whether or not the car rental company has a variety of vehicle sizes for you to choose from. If you are traveling with your family, for example, you may want a van or large sedan rather than a compact car. Make sure that there is a wide range of vehicles to choose from so you will get one that meets your needs. In addition, if you are in need of car seats for your kids, look for a car rental company that offers these services.