Rental Car Safety Tips

Most experienced travellers get to their destination, and due to the tiring journey, they find a car rental office, sign the required papers, and off they go without counter checking the condition of their car. They get caught up in traffic and end up breaking all the rules because they do not know the right button to touch. You should always remember that you are not familiar with the car, and this can cause you to have an accident after a few minutes of renting it. Always check to follow these tips:

Before you reserve a rental car

It is crucial that when you are booking a rental car, you try and negotiate, to get a good deal and have a plan of how you can insure it. You should:

• Check with your travel protection credit card and your travel insurance provider to find out how much is covered by your rental car coverage.
•  If you require supplementing your current car rental coverage, include it in your plan of travel insurance when you purchase it.
• Carry a small flashlight in your little bag; you will need it to check out the rental car if you pick the car at night.

At the rental desk

You should ensure that you get the car at the price you agreed on and you get contacts of whom to call if the vehicle breaks down and you need some help.

•  Ask the last date the car had maintenance and if the representative cannot answer the question, you have a reason to be suspicious.
• Ask whom should you contact if you need any assistance with the car. Save the number in your mobile phone or write it down on the agreement sheet.
•  Get some paper towels from their washrooms; you will need them as you progress.

Before you drive off

When you get the car, you will need to check it up to ensure that you will not be held liable for mistakes committed by another person. Check the vehicle to ensure that it is well maintained and it is safe to use it.

• Snap pictures of the panels and if you find any damage, note it on the car rental agreement. The photos will be your evidence if the company tries to hold you liable for them.

Check all the tyres and ensure that they are well fitted and inflated. Ensure they do not have any irregular tread wear that indicate the car is not safe to use.

• Check its odometer, and if it exceeds twenty-five thousand miles, it means the car is old, and you have a reason to be suspicious.
• Check the car trunk to ensure that a spare wheel is available and well inflated. Ensure that there is a lug wrench and a jack to use when changing the wheel.
• Open up the hood to check the levels of fluids; this is the point where you will use the paper towels you carried and the flashlight if it is already dark. If you do not know how to check the antifreeze, oil and washer fluid, a physical inspection is the only thing you can carry out.
• Turn the car on and put on the heat buttons to warm it up a bit check the reading on the gas gauge and should always read full. You can adjust the controls of the temperature to your comfort.

Conclusion

Do not ignore any of the above tips if you are going to use a rental car when you are on vacation. The tips will save you any agony that can be caused by any accidents.