Car Rental Scams to Avoid

Most people think that renting a car is a walk in the park, a thoroughly mundane experience that shouldn’t be given a second thought. However, many car rental scams can bilk even the most wary of renters out of their hard-earned dough, and in most cases, they are covered by the fine print in their contracts. If you’ll be renting a car in the near future, don’t fall for these insidious scams.

1- Double the Insurance – Double the Money

According to ScamBusters.org, one major car rental scam involves getting customers to buy superfluous insurance. Most people know that they can use their own car insurance for a rental, but the rental agency might try to convince you otherwise. They’ll tell you that there are coverages included in their extra policy that aren’t covered by your standard policy, or that they don’t recognize renters’ own policies.

In any case, you don’t have to buy that extra insurance, and to be told that you do is a car rental scam. In most cases, you’ll have even more coverage through your existing policy, especially if you have full coverage, and that extra coverage is extraordinarily over-priced. If you are told that you have to buy a temporary policy, rent through another agency or ask to speak to someone in charge.

2- Watching the Clock

According to MSNBC reporter Christopher Elliott, in his article about car rental scams, many rental agencies are cracking down on the time clock for renters. Although this technically isn’t a scam per se, it does push the boundaries of customer service and can force you to spend more money than you originally intended. Unfortunately, the contract you signed when you rented the car allowed them to charge extra for early pick-ups or late cancellations, and Elliot claims that they’re enforcing these rules with renewed austerity.

If you want to avoid this type of car rental scam, make sure you cancel your rental as quickly as possible when your plans change, and make sure you return the vehicle on time. Early returns can also cost you extra dough, according to Elliot, if you land on a peak rental day or if they “don’t believe they can re-rent the car.

3- Full – or Almost Full?

One of the ways in which car rental companies can make extra money from renters is by charging inflated prices for gas. If you bring back the vehicle without refueling, you’ll find a super-large charge on your bill for gas. Most customers know to run by the gas station before returning a rental, but many car companies are cracking down on what a “full tank” really means.

Furthermore, it can be difficult to prove that you refueled a car before returning it, which is where the car rental scams come in. The desk clerk will claim that the tank wasn’t quite on full, then charge you for a few gallons just to top off the bill. To avoid this, get a receipt when you refuel with a time stamp at the top, then show it to the clerk when you arrive. Some customers are even going so far as to take a picture of the gas tank gauge with their cell phone cameras.

Any of these car rental scams could potentially take you for a ride, so make sure you read the fine print before handing over your credit card. If a charge appears on your bill that you feel shouldn’t be there at all, call the 1-800 number provided by the rental agency rather than trying to argue with the desk clerk. Often, the corporate office doesn’t know what its individual agencies are pulling to make a buck.

Sources:

ScamBusters.org, Car Rental Scams

Christopher Elliot, Hell on Wheels, MSNBC.MSN.com