We have all heard horror stories of customers getting overcharged for rental cars. This is because of hidden charges that are left in fine print.  Here are five simple steps that will keep hidden charges from piling up on your rental car bill.

Avoiding hidden charges

Inspect exterior and take pictures

Make sure you take high resolution pictures of the car from all angles BEFORE you leave with the car. This is to point out any scratches, dents or paint scrapes before hand. Inspect the car with the car rental executive. Always check the bottom of front and rear bumper for scratches. Also check the wheel rims and doors for scratches. Once you find a scratch or dent, make sure it is noted in the rental contract and keep a copy of the contract with you. This will ensure you are on the same page with the car rental company.

Check interiors including technology

Start the car and inspect all the lights, multimedia and sound system in the car. A lot of times customers check interiors but don’t check the technology. The benefit of checking USB ports, CD players and other tech items is that any issue is reported early on. This means the car rental company does not have an excuse to charge you for a malfunctioning device you didn’t even use. Your due diligence will avoid this hidden charge that can come up once you return the car.

Record extra mileage charges

Ensure the beginning mileage is mentioned in your rental contract. Keep track of your usage to ensure you stay within the mileage limit. Excess mileage is charged at varying rates. It is important to know the rate at which extra mileage is charged. Make sure this extra mileage charge is also mentioned in your rental contract. This way you will ensure the rental company does not overcharge you for extra kilometers driven.

Know fuel tank policy

A lot of times car rental companies will deliver the car with half tank. Yet the rental contract will say ‘please return the car with full tank’. Returning the car with full tank will ensure the car rental company cannot use that fine print against you. If the car rental company delivers the car to you without full tank, make sure this is recorded in the rental contract so they can avoid charging you extra for petrol.

Return a clean car

Sometimes customers will return a messy car. This gives car rental companies a reason to impose a  ‘car cleaning charge.’ Just a few minutes of clearing up wrappers or any left over items will save this hidden charge. Take a picture of the clean car interior before returning it for your records.

 

A good car rental company will ensure a great customer experience. However some car rental companies are just interested in making a quick buck. These tips will help you minimize your exposure in getting overcharged by such companies.

 

Have you faced hidden charges with car rental companies? Share your experience in comments below. Email us at support@ejarcar.com for questions.