When renting a car, what should I be aware of?

Renting a car isn't purchasing a car, and therefore doesn't require as much research as a car that you would purchase, right? Wrong. Even if you are renting a car for two days, it is highly crucial that you know what you are driving. Make sure that you won't be in a position where the rental car turns out to be a big mistake.

Follow these tips:

• If you are renting a vehicle while your auto insurance company is fixing yours, make sure that your insurance can pay for the car
 
• Keep in mind that it isn't very likely to rent a car that was a higher class than your original car

• If you are planning to rent this car on a vacation, you have to make sure that the car that you are renting is comfortable and fuel-efficient

• Try saving yourself some money on rental cars by shopping online or using coupons and other promotional options

• If you are renting a car, make sure that you know that the taxes for renting a car don't come cheap.

• Make sure that you still pick the car that seems to be more comfortable and more maneuverable

• Before making any final decisions, know how to operate the car that you are going to be driving for the next couple of days.

• Call your insurance company in advance, and find out when you will be able to rent the car

• Make sure that you drive very carefully on a rental car because whatever you damage comes out of your pocket

• Avoid the refuel options at the rental itself. They have really bad gas rates - yes, even worse than what we are used to.

• Read the fine print

• You might want to purchase damage-and-accident insurance, in case you were to damage that rented car

• Try not to advertise your rental - meaning it would be better if you didn't have a sticker on your bumper saying that car was rented. Thieves pay close attention to things like these and immediately interpret that you a rich tourist traveling with money.