Should you drive your own car on a road trip or should you rent a car?
Many people will ask themselves this question while planning a trip. They wonder if it is worth the risk of driving on the road especially when they are not well versed in using their car or have never driven on newer roads. There are many benefits to driving and one of them is the fact that you will be able to save money.
A road trip can be great fun but you also need to consider the risks involved. You will be facing risks such as car crashes, car theft, car accidents, road rage incidents and roadside incidents. If you plan properly then you will be able to avoid all these unwanted events from happening.
Making sure you have a reliable vehicle is important if you take your own car. If you take one of your used cars, perhaps you can add auto extended warranty to it. This will protect against unforeseen mechanical failures. You can definitely add an extended warranty for a used car so it is unnecessary to buy a brand new car. Maintenance and proper inspection is important before you take your own car though.
Ideally, for a long road trip, the best way to avoid all the mishaps on the road is by driving a rented car. There are many advantages of renting a car and the first one is that you do not have to own a car. With car rental you will be able to cut down your expenses as you will be paying for only the mileage you drive.
You do not have to go through all the hassle of searching for a parking place as most rental car companies provide free parking spaces. The rental company will even provide the replacement rental car when you have to return the rented car. This makes it easy for you to return the car and avoid extra fees. If you have a car loan then it will be easier to return the car as it will be under your name and the interest charges will be taken off the loan amount.
You will not have to worry about the maintenance of the car. All rental companies have special departments where you can get all the information about the car. All you have to do is fill in the form with the car’s details and the rental company will give you a quote for the monthly rental fee. You can compare this quote with the prices in the market to find the best deal. By renting a car, you will save a lot of time and money as you will not have to go through the hassles of maintenance. Be careful not to choose a “jerk car”, one that will drive you crazy with breakdowns and problems.
Before you start your trip, it is important that you plan a little. Make sure you list all the people who will be travelling with you, the destination, the number of passengers etc. A map is also very important.
When you rent a car, make sure that you have enough funds for the trip. If you think you will have enough money for the trip, make a deposit in case you lose on the car rental. You should also have enough money to spare in your account to pay for the car damages in case you break down or want to get additional fuel. Hire a car from a good company. Try to find out if the company offers 24 hour emergency service as this will come in handy in case anything unexpected happens. Remember to read the terms and conditions of the rental contract before you sign it so that there are no problems when you return the car.
It is important to take a good quality car. Cheap deals can be very tempting, but you should always remember that you are paying for the convenience of driving the car. If you feel that the car you are renting is not up to the standards or does not have the necessary features for your journey then you should cancel the deal. Do your research when you decide to rent a car as it is an important investment. Thus, take some time and go through all the terms and conditions before you finalise the deal.
In summary, renting a car can be more beneficial than driving your own car. But to some, the comfort of their own car is more appealing.
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