BBB: Know what to look for and ask about when renting a car

Whether you are picking up a car at the airport while traveling or you need a vehicle while your own car is in the shop, renting a car can be a confusing puzzle of rates, fees and responsibilities. You want to get the best deal, but the advertised price may not include all the possible fees.

The Better Business Bureau offers the following tips to help make your next car rental experience a little easier:

Shop around. Car rental rates can vary depending on the company or the amount of lead time, so it pays to shop around and compare prices. Is the rate quoted for unlimited mileage or for a certain number of miles a day? Although most rental rates do include mileage, some still charge for every mile you drive.

Do your homework. Before finalizing your selection, check out www.bbb.org for past complaints, customer reviews and more information on the company.

Understand insurance. Before you leave home, check with your insurance agent or carrier to see if your existing policy covers damage to a rental vehicle or your liability as a driver. If so, you can skip buying insurance from the rental car company. If you are traveling for business, you may be covered by an employer’s policy.

Consider location. Renting from an airport-based rental facility may be more expensive than an off-site location. Also, many rentals have an extra drop-off fee if you are returning the vehicle to a different location than where you picked it up.

Look for package deals and discounts. Senior citizens, members of an auto club and certain credit card holders may be eligible for discounts. You also may find discounted prices for certain dates, weekends or longer rental periods. Some airlines and travel sites offer discounts if you book your plane and rental car together, but don’t assume those bundled rates are the best.

Ask about late or early return fees. Some renters have been surprised at big late fees for returning a car late… or even early! Double check on the hours of operation and, whenever possible, avoid dropping off your vehicle off-hours and leaving the keys in a drop-box.

Think about extras. Many car rental companies let you pre-purchase a full tank of gas so you don’t have to top it off right before you return the car. While this can be a convenience, it’s rarely the best deal for the consumer. One fairly standard fee is for additional drivers (don’t let anyone drive your rental car unless they are on the agreement). Additional upsell offers may include a GPS device, collision damage waiver or bumper-to-bumper warranty, roadside assistance, a convertible or other luxury upgrade, etc. Decide before you get to the counter what you need and what you don’t.

Read the fine print. Before you initial and sign the contract, read it and make sure you understand the terms. Check that the final price reflects what you understood the fees to be based on the advertising or your reservation. Note any additional fees or charges that you can incur.

Inspect the vehicle. Thoroughly inspect your rental car before you drive away. Note any damage such as scratches or dents in the body, stains or tears in the interior, cracks in the windshield or other windows, etc. If you see any damage or defect, make the company representative aware of it immediately so it’s noted on the car condition form. Take pictures of the damage or make a video and describe the damage as you record. Also, check to see that the mileage is the same as what is recorded on your rental agreement.

Returning the vehicle. Before leaving the vehicle, be sure the check-in attendant inspects the car’s body in your presence and that you agree about any damage. Get a final print-out of the charges that will be made on your credit card, and check your statement later to make sure there are no unexpected charges.

With a little knowledge and a checklist, renting your next car can be a lot less confusing. For more trustworthy tips, visit www.bbb.org.

This story was originally published May 30, 2017 at 1:29 PM with the headline "BBB: Know what to look for and ask about when renting a car."