7 useful tips for renting a car

METRO MANILA, – Travel destinations all over the country are starting to open up following the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Some places are easier to visit by car. But if you don’t have one, renting one might be a good idea.

Here are seven things you must remember when dealing with car rentals.

Know your destination

To start with, find out everything that you can about the location that you are planning to visit.

Aside from going to popular tourist spots, don’t forget to get information about the tourism industry there. For example, determine the hotel that suits your budget.

Once you have selected a certain place, check if there are car rentals nearby. This way, you can easily book a vehicle before your travel date.

Additionally, car rental services cost less if your destination is just within their location instead of booking it elsewhere.

Avoid car rentals in airports

Yes, convenience is one of the most important factors to make a summer vacation memorable.

However, it also costs much more to rent a car at the airport because of its convenience in terms of picking your vehicle before your flight and dropping it off before your departure.

However, you will be able to find lower rates outside the airport. All you have to do is research diligently and you will surely find something that meets your needs.

Rent from a friend

Another useful tip is to rent your friend’s vehicle instead of getting one from a rental company.

You can get a huge discount, which will be useful for your other expenses during the vacation. So, ask around and you might stumble upon an old buddy that may lend his or her vehicle for a while.

Don't buy car rental insurance

Insurance coverage is frequently upsold by car rental firms.

It begins with the booking process and continues when you come to the office to pick up your vehicle. But, when you gently decline the offer, they don’t press any further.

Other times, though, they proceed to scare you until you cave in and decide to purchase their absurd insurance plan. This is more common with smaller companies, but it all depends on the location!

If you have your own auto insurance policy in the Philippines, it is not essential to buy an additional one. There are policies that may cover accident damage and personal liability for a rented automobile.

With that said, it’s worth calling your insurance company beforehand to see what’s covered.

Read feedback from previous customers

Another useful tip is to read reviews about your chosen car rental company.

This is very important so that you avoid doing business transactions with people who cannot deliver the services that you are expecting.

Go through their website and read feedback from their previous customers. You can also visit their social media accounts since more people will most likely leave reviews there.

Ask about other travel services

Once you have made up your mind, ask the car rental company if they have other available services.

For instance, if the company provides a travel tour within your destination and their rates are lower compared to other businesses, grab the opportunity and book that one, too! By doing this, you can save money while enjoying the convenience of doing the transaction in the same company.

Who knows? You might end up getting more discounts than what you have initially expected. Finding a travel tour service can be a daunting task, especially during the summer vacation, when most of them are usually fully booked.

Consider online transactions

If you want to secure the vehicle that you want to rent before you arrive at your destination, consider booking it ahead of time.

You can do it online from the comforts of your own home or during lunch breaks in the office. Just make sure that the car rental company accepts credit cards or any virtual payments. If not, your next best option is a bank transfer.

Don’t worry! Both methods are easy to do and usually implemented in popular travel destinations worldwide.

However, in case you’re not fond of online transactions, just ask the car rental company to reserve the vehicle so that no one can rent it when you arrive to pick it up.

On the other hand, in case you are looking for an affordable car, consider buying a used vehicle from Automart.PH!

We offer a wide selection of used cars at great prices, ranging from compact cars to pick-up trucks, that suit your needs.

And if you’re looking for the finest used cars, check out Automart.PH Certified Used Vehicles. These are restored until they feel like new again. They also come with a three-day money-back guarantee and, for Gold Certified units, a one-year warranty.

Automart.PH Senior Content Creator VJ Bacungan contributed to this story.