What to Bring to a Car Rental Counter

Introduction

If you will be in need of a rental car, you are best served by taking the time to understand what you will need when you are heading off to a car rental agency. Through this article, you are provided with some basic information about what you will need to bring to the car rental counter when you are going to be renting a car -- whether you are going to a car rental agency as part of a vacation or for some other reason.

Specific Tips

Here are a few tips as to what to bring with you to the car rental counter in order to rent a car.

All rental companies have a minimum age requirement, which is usually 25. Some will rent to those 21 years old with a surcharge that ranges from $5.00 to $25.00 a day. If you want to rent a car and are 18 or over, there are certain situations that will allow you to rent a vehicle. Some government and military personnel on official business are given special privileges and allowed to rent. Insurance replacement rentals sometimes allow the waiver of age as well. Make sure and bring a valid drivers license with you to prove your age and legality to drive.

You will also need a major credit card to rent a car. Many people are confused and mistake a debit card as a major credit card because it has a symbol on it but a debit card is not normally accepted by the major national car rental agencies. Should you have someone else that will be traveling with you and they have a major credit card, you may decide to have them put the rental on their card should you not have one. There are some car rental agencies that allow you to put down a cash deposit that will be returned to you once the rental has been returned. Normally the companies that offer this type of option are smaller locally owned car rental agencies and the cash deposit will quite often not be returned to you until a few days after you return the vehicle. National car rental agencies do have their own credit cards and cash deposit programs but they take time to set up and will need to be arranged much in advance of renting a car.

In addition to your driver’s license and a credit card, you will want to bring proof of car insurance or you will be required to purchase their insurance, which will cost additionally.

By making certain that you’ve these items in hand when you arrive at a car rental counter, you will be able to obtain the rental car that you need and that will best meet your needs and objectives.