In the world of car rental it can be a minefield of information, concerns over insurance, getting the most out of your rental etc.
So here are our top tips when picking up and choosing your rental car

1 Reserve in advance.
Don’t wait until you arrive at the airport to try and rent a car. In general it will be far more expensive, especially at peak times of the week, like Friday, or peak months, like the summer months.
It’s a bit like Easyjet, when you book on the day you fly it’s more expensive, reserve ahead and it’s cheaper.
Also when you leave it until you arrive, you may not get a car. Rental companies do not have an unlimited fleet of cars, what would you do if they have no vehicles?

2 Make sure you have all the insurance you need.
This is all the more important when renting in the US or Canada. Make sure you rental cost includes all the insurance you need. Try not to leave it until you arrive, you may be paying a lot more, and you may forget.

3 Consider taking excess reductions
I know this will increase the cost of the rental, and sometimes it’s easy to take a chance, as you have never had an accident at home, so why worry.
Check the excess, companies can charge you up to £750 excess in the event of an accident. What would you do if you parked up and found a large scratch down the car? Or if you did have an accident, do you really want to be liable for the first £750?
Seriously consider reducing your excess.

4 Pay for extras up front.
If you want Satnav or a child seat, where possible pay up front. This not only reserves the items you want, but also fixes the price you will pay.

5 Print two copies of the car hire voucher.
Put one in the luggage and one with your passport/wallet.
It’s simple, the car rental company will want it. If you don’t have your voucher, then you will pay for the rental again!

6 Read the documentation for your rental carefully.
Check the terms and conditions, what’s included and what’s not. Is fuel included, what is the damage excess etc.

7 Check the rental agreement carefully
When you arrive at the airport, check the rates and the terms are the same as the package you have booked. Check the responsibilities for damage to the interior, windows, tyres, etc. What is the condition of the vehicle you are renting.

8 Check out the rental car carefully
Take 5 minutes to look over the car, is the damage to the car marked for you, is there a tax disc, handbook, jack and spare wheel. If there are locking wheel nuts, is there a key, are the tyres okay, is the vehicle full of fuel? Take your time to check over the equipment.

9 Remember where to return the car.
Check out the location where you need to return the car, if you are running late it may help when you come back.

10 Drive safe
One of the largest causes of accidents to rental cars is people jumping in the car, driving away and relying on the Sat Nav to direct them. Watch the road, check for the signs out of the airport, remember which side of the road you are on, and don’t switch off