Rental Car Questions and Answers

Daily we receive many rental car questions. Many other car rental companies appear to have hidden costs and charges. Not so when you choose Becker San Diego Car Rental.

Did you know that San Diego car rentals that are advertised as "cheap car rental rates" often can be filled with the unknown?

For example, rental car insurance coverage with your visa car rental insurance.

How does your credit card pay after the accident?

If you are in a accident is the rental car company willing to wait for the credit car company to pay? What about there loss in revenue with a damaged car?

Does the rental car discount rate charge extra for child car seats, underage drivers, additional drivers or an extra charge for adding another day?

Does the car rental agency over book their inventory? If so How can they service and guarantee you your car rental reservation?

There are dozens of rental car questions to be answered. Our goal to to help you be an informed customer. We invite you to read the answers to your rental car questions below, and if you have a additional questions,

please contact us.

The more informed you are about renting a car the more enjoyable it will be.

San Diego Cheap Car Rental Tips

Special Discount Auto Rentals Here

Rental Car Questions About Rates and Fees

Q: Do rental car companies usually charge for "additional drivers"?

A: Most companies allow a spouse to also drive the vehicle at no additional charge.

Some companies add a daily or flat fee rate for other drives of up to $10 per day. These are a valid rental car questions that should be asked.

If others will be driving the car along with you, compare companies and rates and ask these rental car questions to compare to our policies, ones that do not charge additional driver fees.

Q: If I have agreed to a weekly rate, will I be charged extra or be hit with a daily rate hike if I keep the car over 7 days?

A: Unfortunately, any time you keep the vehicle past the reserved time, you will be charged for it.

A better, more cost-effective strategy would be to reserve the car for a few extra days past what you think you will need it for to avoid additional fees.

Becker Auto Rental will compute any extra days from the weekly rate. We always give you the best rate on extra days. Read on to find more cheap car rental tips.

Q. Is there a charge for pick up and delivery?

A: In most cases, there is some type of fee, which varies from one company to another.

Becker Auto Rental offers FREE airport pickup and often Free pickup and delivery to many locations in San Diego.

Special Military Discount Car Rentals Available Here

Q. Is there a fee for child car seats?

A: Child safety and infant car seats are offered for rent by all major car rental companies. This is one of the most asked rental car questions, and for a good reason.

Be sure to reserve your child safety sear ahead of time and be aware that the rental rate runs around $2 to $10 per day.

At Becker Auto Rental, there's NO added surcharge for infant car seat, which are mandatory in the state of California. We are dedicated to your safety.

Q. My family is traveling together and my 21 year old son will also be driving the car. Is there a charge for drivers under 25?

A: Many rental companies do charge for younger drivers.

At Becker Auto Rental, there is NO ADDED CHARGE FOR DRIVERS UNDER 25 YEARS OLD - Young drivers are welcome here!

However, all drivers must be at least 21 years old with a valid driver's license and listed as an additional driver on the rental agreement. This one of those rental car questions for your insurance provider.

Q: Does my 'weekly' rate mean I can keep the car for a whole 7 days?

A: Weekly rentals usually run 5-7 days. Some car rental companies require a 7 day rental minimum.

If you'll need the car for 5 days or more, it's less expensive in the long run to book the car for 7 days at the weekly rate.

Q: Are the rental car rates my company gave me what I would expect to pay, or are there 'hidden' fees?

A: There are sometimes additional fees while, not really 'hidden', can come as a surprise if you're not prepared.

Aside for the actual rental rate for your vehicle, one of the rental car questions you might ask are, will you be expected to pay additional surcharges at the airport, or possibly, the cost for additional insurance? Find out about and mileage in excess of what is allowed for your particular rental, and sales tax in advance.

What sometimes seems to be a low rate (advertised) gets quite large after all the fees are added up.

Becker Auto Rental always quotes you a low total price which includes all fees except CDW and Liability, unless you request it to be included.

Q: How are your daily, weekly and monthly fees calculated?

A: Many rental car companies compute rental car rates on a 24 hour bases. For example if you rent for 1 week beginning on Monday at 10:00am and will be expected to return the next Monday by 10:00am. Or be charged for an extra day. Some companies give you a 1 or 2 hour grace period.

Becker Auto Rentals policy is that the rented vehicle needs to be returned any timeon that Monday, which saves you money!

Save Money and time when your return flight is later in the day, then the same hour you arrived.

Also be aware that some company's monthly rate is computed on a 28 day month.

Becker always computes a monthly rate based on the number of days in that month. This alone can save you quite a large sum of money over a 2 to 3 month and more rental period.

Q: Will I pay an extra charge to travel to Mexico?

A: Yes most companies do have restrictions and surcharges for entering Mexico with there car. Becker Auto Rental allows you to enter Mexico, but you must have proof of valid Mexican auto insurance at the time of rental.

Q: How much are the fees for CDW and liability insurance?

A: Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) is additional fee that can cost up to $16 per day. Becker Auto Rental offers CDW at vary affordable rates

Be sure to ask your rental agent these questions before signing your car rental contract:

1. Will my personal auto insurance policy cover any damage to the rental car?

2. Will my personal homeowners policy cover any theft of my personal property taken from the rental car?

3. Will my personal auto insurance, homeowners' insurance or employee medical insurance cover any injuries or accidents that occur in the rental car?

4. Will my credit card cover me if there are any damages to a rental car or third party liability?

No matter what insurance you ultimately choose, remember not to drive without insurance for any reason! Buy the car rental company's policy if you don't have an existing policy of your own credit card coverage that covers all potential circumstances. Your car rental company's collision and liability insurance policy will cover your financial responsibilty in the event of accident

Q: What can I expect to be the total I will have to pay includes taxes and fees?

A: First, be sure to ask for a complete estimate of all charges, including taxes and additional fees you are expected to cover. Depending on the insurance you choose and the kind of gas you're putting in the car, your total costs may vary.

Sometimes the rental company includes unlimited mileage, so check their policy on make sure it is as favorable to you as possible.

If you decide on an upgrade, you'll want to check over all the fees again. Companies who routinely offer unlimited mileage on standard vehicles do not do so on luxury models.

Keep in mind that using companies like Orbitz, Travelocity, CarRental.com or any rental car directories can increase your costs by up to 30% , as these companies receive a portion of the cost of your rental.

Choosing a car rental company that is part of a franchise may also cost more, as franchises have franchise fees (up to 20%) and other overhead to cover.

Choosing a large, well-known national rental company may seem like a safe way to go, but these companies have huge overhead and advertising budgets, so your chances of getting the best rates are slim.

Rental Car Insurance Coverage

A: Some gold and platinum cards do offer secondary collision coverage. Some even offer primary collision coverage, particularly if you don't have you own car insurance or if you're renting your vehicle in a foreign country.

However, this coverage only covers incidents after your own personal coverage is exhausted and may only cover collision. Check carefully for policy limitations, which may include luxury vehicles, sports cars and even certain models of vans.

Q: Should I use my own insurance or the rental company's insurance for the best deal?

A: The only way to know the answer to rental car questions like this for sure to compare your coverage against what the rental company is offering.

Find out what your personal or corporate insurance policy covers, as you may already covered for collision. Some credit card coverage offers collision as secondary coverage, while some provide primary collision coverage for those with no collision available to them through their personal policy.

Q. If I have an accident while driving my rental car, will the rental car company's Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) cover the car I hit.

A: Generally not. This would probably be covered under your personal or corporate policy but check with your insurance agent. Rental car questions about rental car insurance coverage before there is an accident is the best policy to adopt.

Best advice is to buy the rental company's insurance Liability insurance if you don't have your own insurance (required in California).

CDW is better described as a guarantee that the rental company will pay for any damage to the rental car, subject to a deductible.

By declining a CDW, you accept full responsibility for all the damages inflicted on the car. A CDW does not cover personal injuries or damages to personal property.

Some credit card companies offer rental car coverage when you use their card to pay for the rental, but it is always smart to check before you sign a rental car agreement, because you are ultimately responsible if the credit card company does not cover you. Quite often they have many conditions that allow them to escape covering your rental car. Read and understand the fine print!

Know for sure if you really are protected

Ask your insurance or credit card company the following questions to determine if you are covered for physical damage when renting a car.

....Is there a deductible? If so, how much?

....Is your protectionprimary-meaning it pays first?

....Does your protection apply to all classes of vehicles?

....Will your premium be increased if a claim is filed?

....Does your protection apply even if another authorized driver is involved in the incident?

....Does your protection have any limits on what it will pay?

Picking Up Your San Diego Rental Car

This is one of the most important rental car questions,because without proper documents you can't drive your San Diego rental vehicle away.

A: You'll need your confirmation number, driver's license and credit card. If you're refusing the car rental company's insurance, you'll need to bring proof of your insurance coverage

Returning Your San Diego Rental Car

A: Search the car thoroughly to make sure you're not leaving any personal belongings behind. Separate your keys from the rental keys. Remove the rental car agreement from the glove box.

When you reach the rental counter, turn in the keys and let them know of any damage to the vehicle. Ask for a receipt and verify it is correct . If you paid cash, make sure the receipt is stamped as such.

The following questions are important ones you'll want to ask your rental agent to be sure you're getting the best rates, and that you understand all policies and procedures.

Rental Car Questions

When should I return the car?

The best answer to this question is "on time", because most companies will charge for an additional day if your car is more than 45 minutes late being returned. ASK your company what their policy is. Becker Auto Rental allows you to return the car anytime during the day it is due back, if prior arrangments are made, with out an extra charge.

How much will my rental actually cost?

Be sure to ask about all additional fees above and beyond the actual cost of the rental. Be informed by asking rental car questions for your particular need.

Most companies quote only the daily, weekly or monthly rental price, so if you don't specifically ask about the fees, you may be in for a surprise.

What will I have to pay if I have a fender-bender (or other accident)?

What might seem like a simple accident could become a costly headache, especially in a foreign country where people can be jailed for car accidents.

It may also lead to a large credit card deposit or keep you from leaving the location to come home.

Here are some easy rules to follow and rental car questions to ask:

Be sure to find out what insurance is available to you through your credit card or auto policy.

Don't drive in areas you're not supposed to be in. For example, in Southern California, you may be prohibited from driving your rental car into Mexico. Read your agreement, and ask rental car questions to find out what you cannot do.

At Becker Auto Rental, you can drive the rental vehicle to Baja Mexico - (we’ll even provide the required Mexican insurance at economical rates!)

Before renting from the company you have chosen, visit their web site and familiarize yourself with all policies. Remember to ask rental car questions from this page, to adequately compare our discount auto rentals.

Keep your car rental agreement with the vehicle registration

Ask: more rental car questions:

....who is allowed to drive the rental car?

....if the car must be parked in a designated place?

....what will happen if you can't return the car on time?

....what you should do if the car breaks down? Get the phone numbers to call incase of accident or breakdown.

You must return the car in the same condition as you received it and with the same amount of gas or you will be charged extra These are all excellent rental car questions.
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