Mistakes when renting a car: how to avoid them?

Renting a vehicle is a fast and simple task. However, keep in mind that the car belongs to someone else and has significant value – it’s best to prevent small mistakes during the process and enjoy the rental time without worry or unexpected issues.

How to rent a vehicle without worries and surprise fees?

Reserve the car ahead of time, thoroughly read the agreement details, and trust the experiences of others. Ensure you understand what is part of the price. Always ask for clarification if anything is unclear. Be cautious with rental companies that advertise prices that seem too good to be true: they often have something hidden. It’s beneficial to check the social media accounts of the rental service you plan to use. If the business actively engages with its audience and has happy customers, the likelihood of being cheated drops significantly.

Failure to read the car rental contract and terms

This is the most common cause of misunderstandings when renting a car from rent-a-car. Check carefully the fuel, mileage and warranty rules included in the contract. This way you will avoid unexpected additional costs.

In our DEX CAR car rental company the vehicle rental contract is clear and easy to understand; describes in detail the charges for not having the stipulated amount of fuel or for returning the vehicle in improper conditions, different from those when the car was returned.

Lack of thorough inspection of the condition of the car at the time of collection

When renting the car, always take photos and check the report. Report any scratches or dents before departure. This protects you from unnecessary costs. It is important that the rental company itself reports the need for these checks, which is why at DEX CAR you will receive a copy of the detailed vehicle collection and delivery report, and together we will take photos of the car, including any defects.

Refusal of rental car insurance

If the rental company doesn’t offer CASCO insurance as standard, not choosing it may reduce the price but increase the risk. Sometimes it’s better to pay a little extra for your peace of mind, especially if you’re going to an unfamiliar area. We recommend that you choose rental companies where CASCO insurance is offered free of charge.

With DEX CAR you are always fully insured: every car has CASCO without additional costs on your part.

Delay or improper return of the rental car

This may result in additional charges for another day. Return the car on time and to the designated place. Try not to be even a few minutes late – everyone should respect working hours. If an unexpected situation occurs, please inform the owner of the delay by telephone.

What does the correct procedure for returning a rental car look like?

The process is quick, but careful. You return the car to the designated place, the employee checks it and draws up a report. Check the fuel level and any damage. Then comes the refund of the deposit. Remember to return the vehicle in an adequate state of cleanliness – if you haven’t had time to prepare the car, at DEX CAR you can purchase the CLEAN package and return the dirty vehicle.

Ignore fuel and mileage rules

Deliberately ignoring the fuel level or mileage limit you set can significantly increase the cost of your rental. Returns the vehicle with the fuel level agreed in the contract and monitors the mileage, so as not to exceed the indicated limit. It’s an easy way to avoid additional costs.

At DEX CAR we have eliminated the kilometer limit and, if you are unable to refuel your vehicle, we will only charge you a fee of €2 for each missing litre.