| If you're traveling by plane in the coming months, | | | | for the car rental. Check with your credit card |
| chances are you'll be renting a car when you land. | | | | company for specifics. |
| Driving an unfamiliar vehicle in an unfamiliar city | | | | When You Pick Up Your Car |
| can be stressful. But with a little foresight, you | | | | Check the contract to make sure you're getting |
| can be prepared and relaxed. | | | | the rate and the car you were promised when |
| Before You Go | | | | you made the reservation. Ask the agent what to |
| Your safety preparations should begin when | | | | do if the car breaks down. If you're not sure how |
| making your rental reservations. While you want | | | | to get to your destination, request a map and |
| to get a good deal, you also want a good car. | | | | driving directions from the agent. |
| Web sites such as that operated by Consumer | | | | Once at the car, do a quick check for any |
| Reports can provide information on car safety | | | | damage; if you spot anything significant, call it to |
| ratings. Your insurance company may also have | | | | the attention of the rental company before you |
| safety statistics on various makes and models, | | | | take the car off the lot, so you won't be |
| says Jeff Beyer, senior vice president and chief | | | | penalized for damage you didn't cause. |
| communications officer of Farmers Insurance. | | | | Before You Leave the Lot |
| Rent a car that is suited to your needs. If you | | | | Familiarize yourself with the car: be sure you |
| are traveling with a family of four and lots of | | | | know how to work the headlights, turn signals and |
| luggage, a compact car may not have enough | | | | interior lights. Check the windshield wipers to |
| room. Also, make any special requests when you | | | | make sure they work and that there is washer |
| arrange your reservation. For example, if you | | | | fluid; you don't want to get caught in rain or snow |
| know you will need a child's car seat for your | | | | with bad wipers. |
| two-year-old, be sure to reserve one early -- | | | | Adjust the seat and mirrors. Check the seatbelts; |
| don't expect one to be available on the spur of | | | | is there one for every passenger? Are they easy |
| the moment when you arrive to pick up your car. | | | | to latch and unlatch? If you like to listen to the |
| You'll also want to check with your insurance | | | | radio as you drive, tune in a local station that |
| company to find out how your coverage works | | | | meets your tastes before you hit the road. |
| for rented cars, says Beyer. Find out if your | | | | Enjoy Your Visit |
| insurance will cover service calls on rental cars, | | | | Because rental cars are attractive targets for |
| and ask your agent if you will need to buy any | | | | thieves, remove all valuables from the car when it |
| supplemental insurance from the car rental | | | | is parked, if possible. If you have to leave your |
| company. By doing a little research before you | | | | luggage or other property in the car, lock it in the |
| leave on your trip, you may be able to save | | | | trunk, out of sight. |
| money by not purchasing unnecessary and overly | | | | By planning ahead and taking a few easy |
| expensive insurance through the car rental | | | | precautions, renting a car will be easy. Now if you |
| company, he adds. Some credit cards also provide | | | | can just fit all those gifts into your luggage for |
| supplementary insurance if you use them to pay | | | | the return trip home. |