Renting a car during summer holidays is one of the solutions that many people choose in order to move around the island or any other destination they choose. In particular, according to estimates by car rental companies, around 2,000,000 tourists will rent a car on their holidays until September. So let’s see what to look out for before renting a car.
- Choose reliable companies and companies with high user ratings on the internet. Take some extra time to read customer comments and reviews.
- Before booking the car, check the services provided and their extra costs (e.g. navigation system, child seat, gas station, etc.).
- Carefully read the terms of the insurance policy, what coverages it has and how much the accident waiver costs and for what amount of damage.
- Ask how you can pay but also exactly when the money will be deducted from your account and which car you will rent as an alternative if the one you booked is not available.
- It is advisable to have all the information available in writing, for example in an e-mail for example.
- When you collect the car, check the bodywork carefully and take photos of any damage and see if it is noted on the relevant document.
- Remember to always have your driving licence with you as well as your credit card (check the expiry date. Without a credit card the lisbon airport car rental agency may not give you the car).
- Ask what exactly you should do in case the car is immobilized by damage or an accident and what exactly you should do in case of an accident.
- Return the car during operating hours and to the place you picked it up from if you want to avoid extra charges. In any case, if it is not possible and you just leave the car at a predetermined spot take a short video and some pictures of it. This will prove that you delivered it in the condition you picked it up.
- Don’t return the car with less fuel than it had when you picked it up. This will result in charges much higher than if you had topped up the fuel to the desired level.