Rental Car Tips

California Casualty Management Company

More than 10 ways to save yourself time, money, and grief.

You may find yourself renting a car on your summer vacation, and the National Safety Council offers some tips to help make the journey safe.

1. Before leaving home, review your auto insurance policy to see what it will cover. You should also check to see if your credit card company provides any auto rental supplemental coverage.
    
2. At the car rental lot, spend some time familiarizing yourself with the car's dashboard layout.
    
3. Find the heater, defroster, air conditioner, wipers and washer, and light switches. Turn them on and off, not only to determine that they work, but that you are familiar with their location.
    
4. Test the turn signals and horn to assure they work, too.
    
5. Check into the trunk to make sure you have a viable spare tire and jack. If there is an emergency road kit available, terrific. If not, either ask for one or bring one along from home.
    
6. Don't forget to bring an infant or booster seat for the children along, either. If you don't have one, perhaps the rental agency will provide one. Call ahead.
    
7. It is a wise idea to check the car's exterior for dents and scratches, and report them. It won't affect how the car runs, but you wouldn't want to be held responsible for a pre-existing condition.
    
8. When picking up your car, check and be sure you have a full tank of gas before you leave the lot. If not, the rental company will either fill it up or make note on the rental contract. When you check out the car, you may be offered a “fuel-purchase option.” This eliminates the need to bring the car back full (or on check-in, be charged for what you've used at higher-than-street rates). The downside of the fuel-purchase option is you may have bought some unneeded gas when not returning the car empty. In any case it is usually cheaper if you fill the tank yourself before you return the car.
    
9. Before leaving the lot, make sure the seat and mirrors are adjusted to your comfort level.
    
10. Drive around the lot, or around the block, to acquaint yourself with the car&'s steering and braking capabilities. If something isn't performing up to expectations, you can get the rental car agency to address it immediately.
     
11. Before leaving for your trip, make sure you are aware of the rental agency's emergency road service provisions.
     

With the NEA Car Rental Program, NEA members now enjoy the highest discount available to any association group from both Hertz and Alamo. Other benefits include no fee for an additional driver, unlimited mileage (at most locations), coupons for additional savings and convenient online reservations. To learn more about the program and reserve a car at a discounted rate, click here: www.neamb.com/discount/carpge.html.