Six Strategies for Reducing Your Risk When Renting Any Vehicle!

Here are six strategies for dramatically reducing your risk when renting any vehicle:

1.  Call your insurance agent first.  Prior to picking up any rented vehicle, you should have a conversation with your agent to determine exactly what coverage you have that would transfer to cover that rental in case of an accident.  In Texas, the liability portion of your  auto policy transfers to cover a rental car.  However, you are investing big bucks to retain that insurance  agent annually to advise you and dramatically reduce your risk.  If your agent says your coverage will be adequate, take that advice.  The rental company will offer you a complete protection package that will in most cases represent pure gravy and profit for them.  Their rentals agents may be very persuasive to separate you from your money.  Know what you need before you get to the rental office as the extra coverage products can quickly double your investment.

2.  Inspect the vehicle with a rental agent before leaving the lot.  Insist on having a rep from the rental firm walk all the way around the vehicle with you.  Have that rep mark all of the major scratches, chips, and dings that you both physically see, write it on the inspection sheet, initial, autograph, and make sure you both have legible copies.  This will protect you when you return the vehicle, and you discover that the rental agents are much more aggressive about incoming damage.  

3.  Check for the spare tire and jack.  Do not leave the lot until you have physically seen these two items.  As soon as you skip this important step, you will surely have a flat and have nothing to change it with.  In addition, you will be charged for the missing items because you did not bother to look at the beginning.  Little things you forget on the front end of a rental can cost you really big in the end.  When you have that flat tire, you not only have to buy the new tire, but you must replace missing items that you did not steal, lose, or even see to begin with.  Make sure the spare tire is not flat before you leave!

4.  Scan the front windshield thoroughly.  Most of the chips, dings, and stars hide underneath the wiper blades and catch you by surprise upon return.  Avoid this shock by lifting up the wipers and looking carefully underneath them.  Run your hand across the windshield to see if you feel anything uneven against the glass.  Step inside the vehicle from the front driver as well as the passenger side and look at the windshield from both angles.  Mark everything major on the inspection sheet.  Even if the rental agent advises you to not to mark something, protect yourself by insisting that they do it then!

5.  Check the operating controls before you leave the rental office.  Turn on the lights and wipers to make sure they work properly.  Listen to see if the engine might be making any unusual sounds.  Check the radio, CD player, and GPS.  Test the AC or heat beforehand so you don’t freeze  or burn up on your trip.  Test the power amenities such as locks and windows.  

6.  Look closely at the tires.  If the tires appear underinflated, ask the rental office to put more air in them before driving away.  Take a physical view of all four tires to see if there are any nails or screws that might be in your line of sight.  If you notice that the tires are worn, speak up and request a different vehicle.  Once you drive away, you own that damage!

Bonus Tip:  Even if you accept the optional protection package that the rental company offers, you should insist on receiving a clean and dry vehicle to clearly see any previous damages.  Verify that the vehicle  has been cleaned to your satisfaction and that all the seats are in the vehicle if you are renting a large passenger van.  Inspect every rented vehicle like you own it because you may own the damage when you return it!  Be relentless in your outgoing inspection!

This article was authored by Craig Speck, Nationwide CEO of Speck Transportation Services.  He can be reached at 817-477-3003. Craig is a doubly published author of two books to show traveling groups how to travel safely, avoid scams, crashes, and lawsuits, and have absolute confidence in their group transportation decisions!  Visit Our Website Here!