Everyone is trying to make and save as much money as they can right now, and rental companies are no different. Transportation is one of the worst hidden fee industries in the world! Rental companies and airlines will charge you an arm and a leg in hidden fees if you’re not careful. Wahabu Kazibwe of 4X4 Uganda Car Hire shares with us some of the hidden fees that many renters are not aware of! The list below should help you avoid some of these fees and keep your rental cost as low as possible.
Airport Surcharge
Rental companies don’t get to take up an airport’s parking lot for free. They have to pay the airport for the services it provides. The rental company recoups its costs by charging its customers. The easiest way to avoid this fee is to rent from a location away from the airport. Many rental companies will even given you a free ride from the airport to their nearest facility.
Fuel
Always check your fuel policy and follow it. If you show up without the amount of gas you’re required to have, you’re going to have to pay for the difference in gas. The rental company gets to set the price of gas, which is a lot more than the gas station just down the street from the company. Fill up shortly before returning your vehicle to avoid excessive fuel costs.
Sales Tax
This isn’t really much of a hidden fee. You can’t avoid it. But many people forget all about sales tax and wonder why their bill is higher than they thought. Don’t forget sales tax when configuring the overall price of your rental.
Under Age Fee
If you’re under 25, you may be charged extra for your age. The reason for this is because statistics have shown that people under 25 are much more likely to get into an accident. If you’re under 21, you’ll be lucky if a rental company will rent a vehicle to you at all. So make sure you check the company’s age policy before signing anything.
Early Return Fee
Returning your vehicle early may sound good for all parties involved, but many rental companies will charge you a fee for returning the vehicle early. They do this to recoup the cost of you reserving the car beyond its use. Honestly, their justification is rather weak, but they can charge what they want. You might as well hold onto the car until the end of your rental period even if you don’t need it.
Limited Mileage
Most companies offer unlimited mileage rentals, but some will sneak in mileage limits and charge you a fortune for going over those limits. Make sure the rental company you want to rent from doesn’t have a limited mileage policy. If they do, go somewhere else.
In Case of an Accident while driving a hired vehicle
Various clients normally get accidents while driving rented cars. An accident is bound to happen at any given time but the way you handle yourself after this tragic moment is what makes a difference. Below is what should you do if you get in an accident while driving a rental vehicle?
Keep Calm
Getting upset or argumentative isn’t going to help the situation. Crying over something that’s already happened gets neither of you anywhere fast. So keep calm, recognize whatever part you had to play in the accident, and let the officer decide who’s at fault if you two can’t agree.
Collect All the Necessary Information
For minor accidents, police may not even need to be called onto the scene. Regardless, you should always get the other driver’s license, insurance information, and plate number. Also, make not of the exact time of the accident. You should always have a paper trail for every accident you’re ever in just to be legally secure. Plus, the rental company will want to know who else was involved.
Contact the Rental Company
Don’t wait to tell the rental company when you’re returning your vehicle – call them immediately. Ask what steps you need to take to resolve the issue with them and if any fees are going to be added to your final bill as a result of the accident. Each company is different, as is each accident situation. Follow what the rental company says and you’ll be alright.
File an Accident Report
If you have time, call the police and have them come out, assess the situation and write up an accident report at the scene. However, you should still file an accident report even if you don’t have time for that. It’s better for you to file your own report than someone to file a report that involves you. Not reporting makes you look suspicious.
Keep a Copy of Your Receipts
It can’t be stressed how much money this tip could potentially save you. The world economy is down and everyone is looking to save/make every dollar they can. The possibility of you being sued after an accident, by either the other driver or the rental company, is higher than it’s ever been. Keeping a copy of your receipts will give a paper trail that backs up your claims in court. It also gives you a leg to stand on if the rental company tries to charge you extra later for the incident. So make sure you hold onto a copy of everything you can.
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