How do I get the best deal on a rental car, and what about insurance?

I am going to Orlando for 4 days/3nights, and want to rent a car while I am there, but I want to get the best price I can. What is the best way to do that...tips/suggestions? I'm also a bit confused about the whole insurance issue, since this is my first time renting a car. I really don't want to have to pay double just to get insurance if I don't actually need it. Please explain.





Thanks!How do I get the best deal on a rental car, and what about insurance?
Ex-Enterprise employee here.





First of all how old are you? If under 25 you almost have to rent Enterprise. Call to verify this. Other than that, cheapwise your best bet would probably be someone like Dollar. Your best bet for pricing would be to get online and make your reservation that way. To do otherwise leaves you at the mercy of the rental people. Travel websites often have pretty good deals.





Insurance. They will likely offer 3 options. Damage Waiver, Supplemental Liability Protection, and Personal Accident Insurance. The first covers the car, so any thing you do to the car is covered...up to wrecking it. SLP covers damage you might do to someone else's property. PAI covers you and your belongings and anyone in the car. Your own insurance will cover you...unless you have Progressive(check on that). However, if you aren't a solid driver it might be a good idea to go with Damage waiver if you're concerned about someone bumping the car in a parking lot while you're away or a shopping car hitting it or something. Do not get SLP or PAI.





If you have a credit card that says you are covered in a rental car...you are not. The credit card would only extend your credit limits to pay for the damage to the rental...you would then be stuck paying off the balance. Just as an FYI.How do I get the best deal on a rental car, and what about insurance?
I would check with your car insurance to see if they will cover that vehicle. Most car insurance will cover a rental car as long as you have full coverage. Now as far as rental cars type in compare rental car rates and see what you get.
Check with your insurance company and see what is covered. Usually you don't need anything else. We never do..





Tips for good deals :


Check out priceline. I just rented one on there for next week in Orlando for $19 a day.





Hotwire is another good option for discounted rentals...it will list the car but not the car company until you accept the offer. But what does it matter? They are all good reputable companies.





Go to ebay and search rental car companies....you can find coupons for Budget, Hertz .etc...sometimes it a free day..free upgrade etc...use that coupon at the car company website.





Good luck...
The best deal can frequently be obtained by doing research over the internet before you get there. There may be weekend deals and so on. Call your hotel and see what sort of deal they may provide.





My experience with Orlando is that it's difficult to find a deal, although this is somewhat of a tourist lull, so you may find one.





As for insurance, here's a couple things to do:


1. Call your car insurance company and ask what's covered when you rent a car. They may already cover you up to your deductible. Maybe they don't.


2. Check your credit card. My credit card, a travel Visa, covers the insurance when I pay for the rental using the credit card.


3. Buy travel insurance. Frequnetly you can add car rental insurance for nothing extra.


http://www.travelguard.com/
You can do online searchs for rental cars. If you do this though call the company on the phone just to confirm your order. You can also just compare prices always allow for more...just in case the vehicle your geting rates for is not available when you get there. If your own insurance doesnt cover a rental...then get the insurance that the rental company offers. Its better to be safe than sorry...it covers the car if anything happens. Im speaking from personal experience here...out of the 6 times ive rented a car ive paid the insurance for it...the last time i was running low on cash and opted to not get the insurance and someone opened thier door into the side of the rental...i was responsible for this since the other vehicle just left the scene. Good luck..hope this helps.
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