Empire Fleet Solutions

Simply hopping into your car rental straight away and heading out on the streets without working through a proper car rental checklist first is big no-no.  If you neglect to check the car with the help of a car rental checklist, the possibility exists that you could run into some serious consequences such as road accidents.  It is of the utmost importance to check the vehicle with the assistance of a car rental checklist first before driving it to avoid having problems when traveling.

Car Rental Checklist:

Before you rent a car

• Communicate with your car insurance agent to verify which coverage you have when renting a car; determine which coverage is most effective; and
• Communicate with your road service provider to find out whether they cover service calls on rental cars.

At the rental cars counter

• Enquire whether the vehicle you are renting has undergone its pre-rental maintenance check;
• Enquire what steps you should take if the vehicle breaks down or if you lose your car key, etc.; and
• Ask a variety of questions so that you will know how to react and what to do in situations you are likely to encounter while on the road.

In and around the car

• Walk around the vehicle, and while doing so inspect all four sides to ensure that there is no obvious damage.  As soon as you leave the car rental lot, you will be held responsible for any undocumented damage;
• Ensure that the license plates are valid;
• Look at the tires for inflation and tread wear;
• Check the trunk for a spare tire, jack, and wheel spanner;
• Open the hood and check fluids such as the oil and water;
• Get in and check the cleanliness of the car;
• Familiarize yourself with the cockpit and everything it contains;
• Check the lights, which include headlights, turn signals, and dashboard/interior lights;
• Check the odometer.  Be more thorough in your inspection if the vehicle has a lot of miles on the clock;
• Spray the windshield to ensure that the washer system works and the wipers are in good shape;
• Ensure that there is an Owners Manual in the glove box;
• Test drive the vehicle in the rental lot to get a feel for it, as well as to check whether any handling or braking problem or odd noise exits before taking the vehicle out on the open road; and
• Remember to take your own map, as a map is not always included in car rental.

Although it is not required by law like in some other countries, it is still a wise decision for all car owners to apply for motor vehicle insurance.  Some people do not understand why they should apply for something so costly.  However, they should understand that motor vehicle insurance will be of benefit to them in the long run.  Those individuals without motor vehicle insurance would suffer dearly if they encountered an accident.

If you are planning to apply for motor vehicle insurance, you might find the tips below useful when going through the process:

• Probably the most effective tip on getting motor vehicle insurance is that of always shopping around.  Acquiring and subsequently comparing different rates and offers will give you a good idea of what deal will fit your needs the best.

• Collect as many insurance quotes as you could possibly lay your hands on.  This will help you compare different types of rates and see whether any discounts concerning motor vehicle insurance are on offer.

• Hiring a broker may be a good or a bad idea, depending on the degree of your shopping and research skills regarding motor vehicle insurance.  Note that it will result in additional expenses if you do decide to hire one.

• You will get better motor vehicle insurance rates if your vehicle has security devices like a car immobilizer or theft alarm installed.  Having a GPS installed, as well as your own locked garage, can also lead to discounts.

• If you are a member of some or other motoring organization, there is the possibility of receiving a discount on your motor vehicle insurance.

• If you are a man and married, it is a good idea to rather obtain motor vehicle insurance on your wife’s name; this will save you a few bucks on the premiums.

• Limit the number of possible drivers of your vehicle.  The more authorized drivers the vehicle has, the higher your motor vehicle insurance will be.

• By applying for a fixed mileage policy, insurers will come to the conclusion that the vehicle is not used that much, resulting in lower motor vehicle insurance cost.

• You can even gain lower discounts or rates on your motor vehicle insurance if you take defensive driving lessons.  Insurance companies usually recognize this.

• At all times maintain a good driving habit.  If this is the case, insurance companies will fall over each other trying to offer you motor vehicle insurance.