Renting a vehicle is much more than shopping around for the best possible rates
, it is a process of first determining exactly what your needs are before you begin searching for the best possible rates.
If you shop for rates first, you may find that by the time you actually get done paying for the extras you need you may be paying more for your rental. Comparing prices on apples to prices on oranges is not a good place to be. You must compare overall prices and this means determining your needs in advance in order to get the best possible overall rental rate.
Begin by considering vehicle size. Will a compact vehicle suffice for getting you around town or will you need something with room for the whole family? Will you need to get better gas mileage to help save money or would you prefer the extra room as well as the bells and whistles of a more luxurious vehicle? Once you determine vehicle size, it is time to also consider the other extras that you will need.
Most rental agencies will offer a child safety seat, GPS system, or roof rack for an extra charge per day of your rental. These rates can vary so be sure to ask about the availability of these items as well as the additional cost when getting your rate quote. Also, be sure that included in your rate quote are the extra taxes and surcharges so you won't be misled.
Inquiring about insurance in advance as well can help you figure the actual cost of renting your vehicle. If you are even considering purchasing the car hire company's insurance, than it is good to get a price quote on this aspect of your rental in advance as well. Adding it all up, sometimes it is actually the company with the highest initial quote that may be the one that saves you the most money. Factor in all costs to get the most honest estimate of your overall costs.