subject: What Your Car Rental Company Can Charge You For [print this page] You rent a vehicle, sign the contract and you're off driving all around town in someone elses car. It's an enjoyable experience however if you neglected to read that rental document before signing it you could be in for some charges which you did not even realize existed and worst of all that company has your credit card information so these charges can creep up on you well after the rental and then you are left arguing with the company, making an attempt to get your money back. Some things you might expect to be charged for however others you may not even realize will create extra charges. The following are some of the charges that you might not be aware of.
While many people probably recognize that they will be charged an initial deposit plus the amount of the rental and insurance costs many people do not realize that there are other charges that might apply. One item that usually catches people by surprise is the extra charges to fill up the gas tank. When returning your automobile make certain that you completely fill the tank otherwise the company will charge you to fill it and this could get expensive. Upon returning the car, ensure that an attendant checks the gas level to ensure that you will not be receiving any extra charges.
Another item that will bring up some surprise charges surrounds the issue of tolls. A lot of companies are moving to installing devices that allow you to by pass tolls in the areas you are driving. Doing this you'll find that at some point during the next month or two you'll receive charges on your credit card for tolls. It is a good idea to directly ask the company if tolls are something they will hit you with later.
Damages are another substantial issue that tends to result in extra charges. It's significant that when you check out your car that you fill out the damage report noting every little thing which is wrong with the car they are giving you. When you return the vehicle make sure that it's inspected by someone from the rental agency as this will help you protect yourself against claims that you have damaged the car.
It's necessary to save all the paperwork from your car hire for at least 30 days following your car hire. This will help you protect against undue charges which could possibly arise. Understanding your rights and responsibilities when renting an automobile and having an attendant check out and in the vehicle at the time of the rental can help you evade charges down the road.
