Battle of the Sexes: Don # 39; t be fooled on car repairs
You know the routine after a frantic flight, you Scurry to the car rental counter wanting to claim your turn and take the road for summer vacation Initials sign there, the clerk tells you that other customers eagerly await behind you.
But before taking the pen, here's a heads-up tack on fees, and taxes, can increase your car s rate quoted by up to 50 percent.
Avoid rental car rip-offs paying attention to fees and taxes.
These charges are proven deep in the fine print of the contract, many t read Don tenants during the registration process and those attempting to identify in advance on the company website find they n ' are not really easy to find.
Previously, the car rental companies also made easy as possible for you to sign and on the road these days, consumers need to slow things down and be more careful to ensure that they do not pay more than necessary, notes Jeff Blyskal, editor of Consumer Reports, which along with sister publication ShopSmart recently examined the practices of rental agencies.
Car rental restrictions in foreign countries Read on older drivers.
To keep your bill down, keep your eyes open for these forms of rental banditry.
Unexpected add-ons Be wary of features that you can take for granted are free radio by satellite can cost an additional $ 5 per day A GPS navigation system runs about 50 per week A payment device charges toll provided by the additional company sometimes with a second charge for processing your toll fees a class action recently filed alleges that a rental company pay a service fee amounting to 16 times more than the tolls managed by tenants.
Your defense when booking and again to the pickup counter to ask about all possible costs In addition to the equipment, including the late fee charges usually apply 30 minutes after your car is due back, the mileage limits and roadside assistance, which was once free, but now charges.
By using your own toll device is usually fine as long as it works on the roads, you will be driving, but to be totally sure, call the office of your provider once you get your lease and give the number of plate of the car registration.
The insurance selling disk Expect buying pressure on the waiver of loss of damage to limit your liability, but at 60 to 250 per week, is required.
Consumers can already be covered on their own auto insurance policy if it includes collision and comprehensive coverage, Consumer Reports rating Some credit cards also offer a Make sure that the personal protection policy covers rentals and Travel business and pays the full value of a loss, administrative fees, towing and loss of use.
Your defense call ahead of your insurance company and credit card to see if you can avoid unnecessary purchase If you are not already covered, getting the rental add-on policy.
Also beware of rental companies ask for huge deposits if you refuse insurance, or threatening not to rent to you everything that is illegal in many states if you get these threats, speak to a manager .
Who did that tooth After turning in a car and go on your way, you can learn've been charged for dings and dents you nt cause, but if the pickup that you signed a form saying he there was no damage, you'll have trouble doing a, it was not me protest.
Your defense Take photos or videos with a digital camera phone or when you get the car and again when you return Be sure to get close-ups of any existing imperfections, minor injuries careful near bumper -chocs, windshield and undercarriage.
Fuelish omissions Recent surveys have revealed that car rental companies in 13 airports were charging up to 9 29 per gallon higher than the rate twice in the pump to fill the tanks of cars whose tenants had promised to return the full and some tack agents on an extra charge for filling service tank.
Your defense know where it's a gas station near the rental and always, always fill the tank on the way.
And think twice fuel option by which the rental company charges you a market price for gas tankful that comes with the car, and then allows you to return less complete without charge.
The problem, the agency receives any remaining gas and you get no credit on your bill for this pay system, you've got essentially running on fumes when you turn the car and who wants to risk coasting to stop a mile from the lot .
Sid Kirchheimer is the author of Scam-Proof Your Life, published by AARP Books Sterling.
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