Facilities included when renting a car

When on vacation, we generally expect to be able to know every existing corner of our selected vacation destination. And it sometimes happens that our schedule depends on the public transport schedule, on our economic capability to afford a taxi or on the tour timetables. In the end, the experience turns out to be tiring and we never get to do everything we would have liked to.

Fortunately, there is another option available since a few years ago. Renting a car is a viable option when it comes to avoiding all the above mentioned. Renting a car is cheap when compared to paying a taxi ticket any time we want to go somewhere and it allows us to freely dispose of our timetable. We decide where and when.

Of course, when we decide to rent a car we must possess all the necessary information about our rental car and about what is included in and excluded from our car rental agreement. At present, rental car companies sell much more than simple rental cars. They generally include additional services and accessories that will make our trip easier and more comfortable.

The first thing that we must do before hiring a car is decide the type of car we need and the additional accessories, services and equipment that we may need. For example, depending on the amount of passengers and luggage that we plan to carry in our rental car we will decide to hire a small vehicle or a van. If we travel with children we may need a baby seat or a child safety seat. And if we don’t know the city we may need a GPS service not to get lost.

Generally, all car rental agencies include certain basic services as part of the basic car rental agreement.

-       Value Added Tax (VAT): Generally, when renting a car all companies include in their prices the VAT fee. Just in case, check the tax and fees conditions in your car rental contract.

       Facilities included when Renting a Car:

-       Third-Party Insurance: This insurance is always included in your car rental contract unless you already have one. Also, all car rentals will offer you an array of other insurance policies to protect the driver, the passengers and the vehicle in the event of an accident. Some of them are:

·         LDW or Loss Damage Waiver: pays for any damage done to the car and is sometimes covered by credit cards so you should contact your credit card check before contracting it.

·         Personal Accident Insurance: covers personal medical attention and death benefits.

·         Personal Effects Insurance: covers all the objects you get into the car.

·         Additional Liability Insurance: covers additional property damage, injury or death.

-       Only New Rental cars: All car rental agencies provide cars of no more than 6 months old.

                        -        24-hour Roadside Assistance:  the car rental agency will provide a telephone number in the contract agreement for the client to call in case of basic mechanical difficulties.

      Unlimited Mileage: Most rental car agencies include this service without any extra charge, but you should check your contract before signing it just in case. 

-          Additional Drivers: generally, car rental contracts include one extra driver for free. This extra driver will have to present the same personal data and documentation as the contractor. The compulsory documentation includes the driver’s ID with a recent photograph, a valid driver’s license and passport.

-         Fuel Service Option: All car rental companies will handle the car fuel full. The renter is required to return it in the same conditions. In some cases the renter may select the Full Service Option, in which the company will charge them with a full tank of gas when they return the car. This is cost-effective if the car is returned with an empty tank because the rental company will not refund money to the client in case the tank wasn´t empty.

-         Cell Phone rental: Some companies offer a mobile phone for an additional daily cost. All the national calls to and from the mobile from will be free and some international calls may be added.

-         Flight delay Service: All companies include this service so that a client whose flight is delayed doesn’t lose their rented car.

Also, some car rental companies include all kinds of special accessories for your comfort and safety. Some of the many additional accessories and equipment are:

-       Baby seat: for infants from 0 to 13 kg.

-       Child safety seat: for infants from 9 to 18kg.

-       Booster seats: for infants from 15 to 36kg.

-       Air Conditioning.

-       Automatic Gear.

-       Diesel Engine.

-       Navigation System / GPS Navigation service.

-       Tires suitable for winter; snow chains.

-       Ski racks.

-       Load-securing strap / (with rachet)

As you must have notices by now, renting a car means a lot more than just renting a car! When travelling abroad, getting a rental car can turn to be the best option to enjoy a fun and comfortable vacation. And, please, wherever you rent your car, DRIVE SAFELY.