The Do’s and Don’ts of Renting a Car

When you are travelling, renting a car is almost a necessity. Unfortunately, many people make some common mistakes when they rent a car. This can make the trip more stressful than it needs to be. With that being said, here are a few dos and don’ts of the car rental process, which will hopefully make your next rental experience go a bit smoother than previous ones.

Do Choose the Right Vehicle

It is imperative that you choose the right vehicle when you rent a car. Otherwise, you may find yourself paying more than necessary for your rental or end up with a rental car that’s not large enough for your need. Take into consideration how many people will be riding in the vehicle as well as how much cargo (luggage) you will be travelling with. If you have at least 5 passengers (including the driver), keep in mind that a larger vehicle like an SUV or minivan may be best. While 5 people can sit in a car, it won’t be as comfortable of a ride as a larger vehicle where everyone has their own space.

If you are looking to rent a car with the best gas mileage to save on fuel during your travels, then you should opt for a smaller model vehicle. And make sure that you reserve a vehicle with an automatic transmission if you don’t know how or aren’t comfortable with driving a stick.

Don’t Procrastinate the Booking

Regardless of where you are travelling, you will want to try to book your Cyprus car rental as far in advance as possible. More often than not, you can save on your rate this way. Plus, you can have a wider selection of vehicles to choose from, making it more likely to get the vehicle that you need/want for the trip.

Do Try to Designate Only One Driver

It is not uncommon for additional fees to be tacked onto your daily car rental rate if you need more than one driver on the contract. If you must add an additional driver, try to stick to only one to keep the fees to a minimum. Make sure to see if you can have the additional driver fees waived if you’re a member of a certain organization. Further, some companies will allow a spouse or domestic partner to be added as another driver free of charge. This is why it is so important to inquire about the fees to add another driver to the car rental agreement ahead of time.

Don’t Overlook the Importance of Insurance/Coverage

Car rental companies will try to sell you their own insurance to provide coverage for the vehicle in the event of an accident. However, what most people don’t realize is that your own personal auto insurance will usually be transferred over to your rental car. To find out whether this is true for your own policy, contact your insurance agency before you rent a car. If you currently only have liability insurance or the lowest limits of coverage, you may want to consider paying for the additional insurance offered by the car rental company. This will simply ensure that you are properly covered in the event of an accident, as your personal coverage may not be sufficient. The most important thing is that you don’t rent a car without proper insurance coverage.

Do Check into Weekly Rates

If you intend on travelling for close to or a full week, you will want to check into weekly rates as opposed to daily rates for your rental. This is true even if you aren’t travelling for the entire week, as there are price breaks that come with weekly rentals. If you go the weekly route and won’t need the rental for the entire week, make sure to find out ahead of time whether there is a penalty fee for bringing the vehicle back early.

Don’t Use a Debit Card for the Rental

When renting a car in Cyprus, make sure that you are using a credit card. One of the main reasons for this is the fact that most credit card companies will not accept a debit card or a prepaid credit card as the main form of payment. However, it may be possible to pay for the final invoice using a debit card. Keep in mind that you may still be charged a deposit on your credit card. Therefore, make sure to find out about this potential charge so you aren’t caught off-guard and potentially going over the limit on your credit card. Plus, there are many credit cards that offer special perks for car rentals. For instance, some credit cards offer car rental insurance that can kick in after your own insurance, if needed.

Ready to Rent a Car for Your Upcoming Trip?

Renting a car in Cyprus doesn’t have to be overly complicated or expensive. By following the above dos and don’ts, you can save money on your car rental and make the process a little less stressful.

Book your next car hire in Cyprus today

Renting a car in Cyprus is the easiest and best way to make the most of this Mediterranean sunshine filled gem. Whether you are looking to explore and soak up the culture or simply want to hit the beach and enjoy the sun, hiring a car will make your time in Cyprus easier and more stress-free than ever before.