Car rental

When choosing a car rental company, reliability is a priority for me. And so most often, I use the services of AVIS Car Rental. I also own their Preferred Card, which offers several benefits such as priority check-in at selected destinations. It should be noted though that AVIS is not the cheapest on the market and their all-inclusive car insurance tends to be quite expensive as well. However, it has taken care of both hail damage and significant scraping to the car in Israel for us. On the other hand, we were unpleasantly surprised that this insurance did not cover the windscreen breakage, which we had to pay in full while in Jordan.

The guarantee of safety, peace of mind and a carefree holiday is my main reason for choosing a reputable car rental company and getting full car insurance. 

But if you’re looking for the best value for least money, don’t hesitate to use online price comparison tools and websites to help you. 

ADVICE ON CHOOSING A CAR RENTAL COMPANY:

1.       Pay attention to the reviews and references of other users.

2.      Thoroughly study the terms and conditions of insurance, especially the insurance coverage.

3.     Evaluate the pros and cons of getting a comprehensive car insurance.

4.     Find out the meaning of the abbreviations of the basic types of insurance (you can look those up on the Internet).

5.     Calculate the potential number of kilometres you will drive (if you exceed the mileage limit, there are high penalties; choosing the unlimited mileage is the best option).

6.     Take extra care when it comes to the amount of fuel in the car while renting and returning it (the most advantageous is the so-called “Full to Full” option, which means you will be picking up and then returning the car with a full tank. Avoid the “Full to Empty or Prepaid Fuel” option, which means you will be picking up the car with a full tank and then returning it with any amount of fuel – the rental company will then charge you for the difference at a disadvantageous price).

7.      Find out the price of a rental car seat in advance (it is often cheaper to bring your own seat for an extra fee for oversized luggage or to buy a brand new one in the area).

8.     It’s only worth renting a GPS navigation (usually you will get a tablet) if you don’t want to buy a local SIM card and you want to use the internet on your phone – you can then use the hotspot to connect your phone to the tablet. Keep in mind that there is a set amount of free data per lease.

9.     In some destinations, the refundable deposit can only be paid by credit card, not debit card.

10.   Book your car well in advance (it is cheaper than renting on the spot).

11.     You pay the tolls and fines. Car rental companies will advise you on which roads are toll-free and which can be avoided.

12.    Territorial restrictions – most car rental companies have restrictions on border crossings or using the ferry (in case of violation, you pay for any damage to the vehicle in full).

And don’t forget that any fines for speeding or parking violations will catch up with you. They may take a few weeks or even months, but eventually they always find a way to your mailbox.