Florida
offers so many beautiful things for your eyes that you are likely
to miss out on many of them unless you decide to travel by road.
Only by hitting the road can you fully enjoy its beauty, share its
excitement. With fuel prices rising by the day, you may think more
than twice before going for a drive. But, rest assured, if you plan
meticulously you can certainly rely on a car rental. If you give
careful thought on your auto rental, you will not only get a complete
picture of Florida but save money as well.
Rules
and regulations
The
first thing you need to do is to get familiar with all the systems
and rules to be followed when driving in Florida. Like all other
places, this state has its own driving rules and regulations you
must abide by.
You
must have a driving license, passport and a credit card to be able
to rent a car. You cannot rent a car if you are below 21, and some
auto rental florida companies
can slap an extra charge if you are below 25.
In
the United States, you have to ‘keep to the right’, i.e., you must
drive on the right hand side of the road. This rule demands extra
attention from you as you may find yourself on the wrong side of
the road when taking right or left turn. When
you park your car, choose a designated area only. Or else, there
is every possibility of your vehicle being towed away.
Some
travel tips
Decide
carefully on the size of the car you need. Auto rental agencies
in Florida will offer you several options in the shape of economy,
compact, midsize, full-size, premium and luxury cars. If are not
keen on bigger cars, go for the compact version as it will fetch
you a better deal from most agencies. In addition, compact cars
will give you better mileage.
A
compact car can accommodate two adults, three kids and several pieces
of luggage. Never get carried away by the frills; if you want to
save money, go for a no-frills auto rental.
Compare
prices first to check whether a car rental at the airport is more
expensive than at a nearby agency. If it is so, do not hesitate
to hail a taxi and travel a few miles to pick up the car at a different
rental location. Most auto rental
florida are more costly if you pick up the vehicle at point
and drop it off at a different point. So calculate both the costs
to find out which option suits you best.
auto
rental florida will offer you prepaid fill-ups when you return
the car. Compare the gas station prices with the costs demanded
by the agency and decide which deal will be convenient for you.
In
most cases, a weekly auto rental comes cheaper than that for five
or six days alone. It is, therefore, a prudent move to pay the weekly
rate and return the car early if you have decided to stay in Florida
for just under a week.
As
many agencies slap additional charge for an extra driver, you should
better choose a designated driver.
Check
travel magazines for auto rental coupons and try to collect information
about all available bargains. Also inquire about discounts for major
national organizations, frequent-flier programs and credit card
programs. Deals on auto rentals offered through AAA are usually
excellent.
Understand
the route of your travel. Learn about the best directions to your
destination before you start off.
Do
not entertain hitchhikers – they may not be as innocent as they
pretend to be.
Get
familiar with the safety equipment of your car and keep your valuables
in a safe place. Check the car’s headlights, door locks and spare
tire before you hit the road. .
If
you feel you have lost your way, drive straight to the nearest service
station or eating place. It is better than groping in the dark!
Insurance
It
is always better to review your insurance policies before you hit
the road to protect yourself and your family. There is a common
belief that you do not need additional insurance coverage as your
personal car insurance or credit card benefits are supposed to provide
the necessary cover. Before taking such a hasty decision, you should
always carefully read the fine print for hidden meanings.
So
it makes a lot of sense if you seek clarifications about your auto
rental insurance from your credit card company, personal and auto
insurance carrier and travel agent. You should have a clear idea
about how much trouble you will have to take in processing your
claim, which will be responsible for submitting the claim, and how
much it will initially cost the cardholder.
It
is of paramount importance to understand what type of insurance
coverage you actually require before you accept or decline insurance
and waivers at the auto rental counter.
As
Florida is a "no-fault" state, it is of no importance which driver
was on the wrong side causing an accident. Each individual has the
right to make a claim through his/her own insurance carrier, regardless
of who was responsible for the accident. This makes it all the more
important for you to know whether your insurance plan will take
care of you and your family should an accident take place.
How
to rent a car
You
can rent a car through your travel agent. A trustworthy travel agency
is not a bad idea as these agencies have access to most major auto
rental agencies and travel consolidators in Florida thereby providing
you with a wide range of choice and special bargains.
If
travel agents do not appeal to you, try online. You can call up
any auto rental florida agency's website and get instant
access to their fleet, rates and reservations. The online route
enables you to quickly compare rates offered by various agencies,
view pictures of the company's cars and book your vehicle. In addition,
you are likely to be offered special discounts by many companies
if you make your reservation online.
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