Some car rental companies use questionable tactics, at times rising to the level of outright rip-offs. Last minute charges, and use of intimidation and scare tactics to coerce consumers into buying things they do not need are common practices used by car rental companies. Travellers waste millions of Dollars each year on unwanted car rental extras. Before signing a rental contract, please consider the following:

Make Sure You Get What You Want

Advertised low rates may be subject to add-on charges for the extras you really want. A cheap rate may not entitle you to automatic transmission, air conditioning, or allowing a second person to drive the car.

Make Sure You Get What You Need

A common theme among car rental agencies is to intimidate consumers into buying extras that they do not need. The most common of these rip-offs is the arm-twisting manoeuvres to entice renters to agree to sign collision damage waivers. Collision damage waivers release drivers from charges for damage, which may occur to the automobile. Check your own insurance policy or credit card agreement, and you will find that you may already be covered for such damage. The waiver may also exclude instances where a car is stolen, tire damage, or drivers who have taken drugs, even when the drug is nothing more than aspirin!

Gassing Up

Many car rental companies give drivers a full tank of gas, and ask that you return it full. Make sure you fill it up before returning the car, since the rental agency will charge you at least double the market price for gas. There are rental agencies, which give consumers a half of a tank to start off with. You are charged for that gas and not given credit for any gas not used. The car company then resells the unused gas to the next renter.

Watch The Clock

You will be told to return your car by a certain time in order to avoid late charges. Make sure to keep a close eye on the time, because the rental agency is. Even keeping a car a few hours past the deadline can subject you to being charged for an entire extra day, and sometimes at a higher rate than the one you signed up for.

Getting The Best Rate

If you are a business traveller, don’t automatically ask for the corporate rate assuming that will be the lowest. Although corporate rates typically offer free insurance and mileage, they may not be competitive with promotional rates. Instead, ask for the lower of the two rates to make sure you are not paying too much.