Ask Carla – The Car Rental Lady

You need to do your homework before you leave on your trip to answer this frequent question. What car insurance do you already have? Does it cover rental cars? What is your comprehensive deductible? Does your credit card provide any rental car coverage, and if so does it take effect only after your primary coverage kicks in?

Since some rental car companies are looking carefully at their returned vehicles for dents or scratches, it pays to know what your coverage is before you decide if the added insurance is worth the cost.

Check before you leave the counter at registration for the company’s gas policy. Some companies charge you an inflated rate to fill up the tank if you don’t return it full. Others simply require that you fill it to the same level as when you picked up the car. Either way, filling up yourself at a nearby station is almost always cheaper than paying the company’s refueling fee.

Car rental prices are going up in many markets and it pays to shop around and compare prices. During peak travel seasons — Thanksgiving, Christmas, spring break, and summer — it pays to book early!

Some companies require you to give your credit card information when you reserve the car; others will hold the reservation with just your name and email address. Either way, always cancel any reservations you don’t use.

Most companies require drivers to be at least 25 years of age. A few — including Alamo, Dollar, Enterprise, and Thrifty — will rent to drivers ages 21–24, but there is usually a significant surcharge, and the option may not be available at all locations. Occasionally a local agency will rent to drivers 18–21, but this is rare.

Always confirm age requirements when comparing prices and before finalizing your reservation.

The base price is the car rental rate before any add-ons such as insurance costs, extra driver fees, infant seat rentals, and the increasing number of local, state, and federal taxes. These extras can significantly increase your final bill — always ask to see the full price breakdown before signing anything at the counter.

Walk around the vehicle with a rental agent and document any existing damage on the rental agreement before you drive off. Then take your own timestamped photos of every panel, the windshield, and the interior with your phone.

This protects you from being charged for damage that was already present when you picked up the car. Get a copy of the rental agreement — in writing or by email — before leaving the lot.

Absolutely, if you’re curious about electric driving! Hertz rents Teslas and hybrids at many airport locations across the country. It’s a great way to experience electric driving before committing to a purchase.

Just be sure to understand the charging infrastructure at your destination — charging stations are plentiful in major cities but can be scarce in rural areas. Plan your route accordingly.

Most companies charge a daily fee for additional drivers — typically $10–$15 per day, which adds up over a longer rental. However, some credit cards and loyalty programs waive this fee when you pay with their card.

If you and a travel companion plan to share driving duties, confirm whether your credit card’s coverage extends to the second driver as well. And always add the extra driver officially — an unlisted driver involved in an accident may not be covered by any insurance.

You need to do your homework before you leave on your trip to answer this frequent question. What car insurance do you already have? Does it cover rental cars? What is your comprehensive deductible? Does your credit card provide any rental car coverage, and if so does it take effect only after your primary coverage kicks in?

Since some rental car companies are looking carefully at their returned vehicles for dents or scratches, it pays to know what your coverage is before you decide if the added insurance is worth the cost.

Check before you leave the counter at registration for the company’s gas policy. Some companies charge you an inflated rate to fill up the tank if you don’t return it full. Others simply require that you fill it to the same level as when you picked up the car. Either way, filling up yourself at a nearby station is almost always cheaper than paying the company’s refueling fee.

Car rental prices are going up in many markets and it pays to shop around and compare prices. During peak travel seasons — Thanksgiving, Christmas, spring break, and summer — it pays to book early!

Some companies require you to give your credit card information when you reserve the car; others will hold the reservation with just your name and email address. Either way, always cancel any reservations you don’t use.

Most companies require drivers to be at least 25 years of age. A few — including Alamo, Dollar, Enterprise, and Thrifty — will rent to drivers ages 21–24, but there is usually a significant surcharge, and the option may not be available at all locations. Occasionally a local agency will rent to drivers 18–21, but this is rare.

Always confirm age requirements when comparing prices and before finalizing your reservation.

The base price is the car rental rate before any add-ons such as insurance costs, extra driver fees, infant seat rentals, and the increasing number of local, state, and federal taxes. These extras can significantly increase your final bill — always ask to see the full price breakdown before signing anything at the counter.

Walk around the vehicle with a rental agent and document any existing damage on the rental agreement before you drive off. Then take your own timestamped photos of every panel, the windshield, and the interior with your phone.

This protects you from being charged for damage that was already present when you picked up the car. Get a copy of the rental agreement — in writing or by email — before leaving the lot.

Absolutely, if you’re curious about electric driving! Hertz rents Teslas and hybrids at many airport locations across the country. It’s a great way to experience electric driving before committing to a purchase.

Just be sure to understand the charging infrastructure at your destination — charging stations are plentiful in major cities but can be scarce in rural areas. Plan your route accordingly.

Most companies charge a daily fee for additional drivers — typically $10–$15 per day, which adds up over a longer rental. However, some credit cards and loyalty programs waive this fee when you pay with their card.

If you and a travel companion plan to share driving duties, confirm whether your credit card’s coverage extends to the second driver as well. And always add the extra driver officially — an unlisted driver involved in an accident may not be covered by any insurance.