Empire Fleet Solutions

If you ever wondered about the issue regarding how to get the best car rental rates, you are not alone.  Most people in need of car rentals will not settle for the first car rental agency they come across.  It is thus important to compare different car rental agencies in order to get the best possible car rental rates.  Fortunately, most car rental agencies do not charge you anything when you reserve a car.  That means if you find a better car rental rates deal a week later, you do not have to pay a penalty to cancel your old reservation.  Money can thus be saved in the process.  However, what to do if you do not have the time to check car deals every day for two weeks?  Below are some great tips for getting good car rental rates on a single-day, weekend, or airport rental.

• Single-day car rental rates

If your car rental is last-minute, make sure to check each car rental agency’s last-minute specials regarding car rental rates.  There are a number of car rental agencies which offer last-minute deals.  If your travel plans do not require a last-minute dash to the car rental counter, another option is to take advantage of any prepay promotions on offer.

• Weekend rentals

If you only need a car for the weekend, usually defined by rental companies as Friday through Monday, look for car rental agencies offering good car rental rates. Some car rental agencies have ongoing promotions for 50 percent off weekend rentals.

• Airport rentals

Airport car rentals are usually more expensive than non-airport locales.  However, this does not mean that you have to fall victim to higher car rental rates at the car rental counter.  If you do not mind some inconvenience, you can usually save money and eliminate car rental rates by taking public transportation from the airport into town and picking up your car rental at a non-airport location.

If you want to pick up your car rental at the airport, then reserving a vehicle online ahead of time will allow you to take advantage of online promotions that can save you on car rental rates.  Thus, the sooner you book, the more your saving will ultimately be on car rental rates.

South Africa is unique in many ways.  It is a diverse country with people from all walks of life, and subsequent different cultures and beliefs.  The same applies to the country itself, boasting attractions and places to visit found nowhere else in the world.  South Africa is truly a beautiful country worth a visit.  Below are the top 10 places to visit in South Africa:

• Table Mountain

Table Mountain overlooks Cape Town and offers breathtaking views over the surrounding areas.  It is also the centrepiece of the Table Mountain National Park surrounding the city.

• Kruger National Park

The Kruger National Park is the biggest and most famous of all national parks in South Africa.  If you only visit one national park on your visit to the country then make sure you go to this one.

• Other National Parks

There are a number of national parks found throughout the country and they all have something special to offer.  Not all the national parks are dedicated to game animals though; some are more devoted to the special types of flora that can only be found in this part of the world.

• Cape Winelands

South African wine is enjoyed throughout the world and this is the heartland from where it is produced.  Why not undertake a tour of the various vineyards and taste some of the produce.

• Drakensberg Mountains

The Drakensberg Mountain range is located in the east of the country.  It offers an excellent opportunity to either crack out the hiking boots and hit one of the many trails open to exploration, or just simply admire the scenic beauty.

• Robben Island

Robben Island is a very important historical site to all South Africans.  Its inmates were all political prisoners, of which the most famous probably Nelson Mandela.

• Soweto

Soweto is a historical area of extreme significance, especially from a political aspect during the Apartheid era.  This area first came to prominence as early as the gold rush of 1886.

• The Garden Route

The Garden Route is a coastal road that runs all along the southern coast of South Africa while overlooking the Indian Ocean.  The Garden Route is known for its scenic beauty and charming towns.

• The Cradle of Humanity

Even though early humans was scattered throughout the continent, the conditions found in the caves of The Cradle of Humanity site are ideal for preserving their remains.  Many fossils have been, and still are, found at this site.

• Sun City

Sun City is a luxury South African casino resort, situated in the North West Province.  This holiday resort, sometimes referred to as “the playground of the rich”, has everything you need to enjoy a fun holiday.  Comparisons to Las Vegas are obvious.

Breaking down in your vehicle can create a very worrying, stressful, and dangerous situation for you as driver; even more so if you happen to break down on South African roads.  Each year, hundreds of people suffer serious injuries or even lose their lives while working or stopped at roadside due to car breakdown. This is why it is so crucial for all drivers and passengers to know what to do in the event of a car breakdown.  Passing vehicles on the highway is not the only concern when your car breaks down; crime is also a big factor.  Although the latest government figures suggest that crime levels have fallen, fear of crime remains high – especially when offences such as car-jacking receive such high-profile media attention.  It is thus not surprising that women, in particular, feel vulnerable if their car breaks down, especially when driving alone at night.  Practical steps have to be taken in order to get peace of mind regarding a car breakdown. 

General Car Breakdown Procedures

- Before your car breaks down:  

• Reduce the risk of having a car breakdown in the first place by servicing your car on a regular basis;
• Ensure that your car breakdown cover is up to date;
• Keep the emergency number close by – this will give you more confidence when you are out on the road;
• Before undertaking your trip, always check your vehicle’s petrol, oil, water, and tyres;
• Take a map with you so that you do not get lost and subsequently have to stop and ask directions;
• Always let family and friends know when you are leaving and when you will return; and
• As a sensible precaution, at all times keep your doors locked and your windows wound up, especially at traffic lights and junctions.

- After your car broke down:   

• Pull as far off the road as possible;
• Immediately put your hazard warning lights on;
• Display your emergency triangle at least 50 metres behind your vehicle;
• Give your car breakdown agency a call and let them know if you are traveling alone or with children.  Women and children usually get priority;
• If your car breaks down on the highway, be extremely careful, as you might get hit by another vehicle;
• Lock your vehicle, except for the front passenger door; this will enable you to get back in quickly if necessary; and
• Never get into a vehicle with a stranger; thus, avoid hitchhiking. 

After acquiring both your driver’s license and a car, all that is left to get is some vehicle insurance.  Although vehicle insurance is not required by law in all instances as is the case overseas, it is still advantageous to have.  Whether you have just bought your first car or been driving since the 50’s, you will undoubtedly have some questions regarding vehicle insurance.  Below are some great tips to help you find affordable vehicle insurance coverage. 

• Shop around

There are plenty of vehicle insurance companies advertising their services.  Each and every one of them make promises that they are the best and are able to save you hundreds of bucks annually in premium costs and subsequently offer you more benefits than their competitors.  Compare vehicle insurance companies with each other in order to see who will indeed give you the best vehicle insurance deal.  As this is a big decision financially that could greatly impact the financial stability of your family, you should not rush into anything. 

• Safe driving

This tip should be obvious.  If you have a dodgy driving record, chances are good that vehicle insurance companies will think twice before giving you vehicle insurance; however, if they do, it will not come at a cheap price.  The more accidents you have been involved in, the more they will charge you for vehicle insurance.  Also, if you do get vehicle insurance and you are involved in an accident, you can expect your premiums to go up.  Thus, avoid getting into any accidents if you want to build up a good driving record. 

• Vehicle

Having a reliable vehicle will count in your favour when it comes to vehicle insurance.  The vehicle’s age, as well as its condition and accident history is important factors that vehicle insurance companies take into consideration.  If your vehicle has been in a number of accidents and you have to fix it on a constant basis, a vehicle insurance company may consider giving you the value of the vehicle rather than pay you to get it fixed; if your vehicle is not reliable, vehicle insurance companies might argue that it is not worth as much as the repair costs.

Certainly one of the smartest solutions to solve an emergency car breakdown situation is having proper car breakdown cover.  When your car decides to break down in the middle of nowhere due to some or other technical failure, your car breakdown cover (roadside cover) can act as a great backup plan when you find yourself in such a crisis.

Due to the emphasis put on car breakdown cover these days, a lot of roadside assistance companies offer car breakdown cover at prices that are highly competitive.  Below are some important considerations to consider when purchasing a suitable car breakdown cover. 

• Wide coverage

When deciding on car breakdown cover, it is of the utmost importance to enquire about the strength of the roadside assistance company’s patrol team, as well as the areas covered by them.  You should thus ensure that they can get to you as fast as possible, no matter where you might find yourself at that moment.

• Tracking services

It will be of great benefit if the roadside assistance company is able to track your location through your cell phone when your car broke down in a location that is unfamiliar to you. 

• Minimum call out time

A roadside assistance company that offers the minimum call out time, allowing you to get timely and efficient roadside assistance, should enjoy preference. 

• Multiple driver plans

If you are more than one driver who uses the car, then a car breakdown cover scheme which allows for multiple driver plans can be very useful. 

• Professionally skilled rescue staff

Reading customer reviews and feedbacks regarding the different roadside assistance companies will give you a better idea of what their service is like.  Ensure that you purchase a car breakdown cover scheme from a roadside assistance company which boasts professionally skilled rescue staff. 

• Round the clock availability

Round the clock roadside assistance availability is another important consideration regarding car breakdown cover. 

• Additional recovery services

Apart from standard car breakdown cover services such as refueling, flat tire replacement, lockout assistance, and towing, additional recovery services like hotel accommodation, alternative transportation, and maps and directions in case you get lost while driving, is also a good idea.