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Informative Articles

Pack List for a Cruise--and other Travel Tips
What you bring on a cruise depends a great deal of the kind of ship it is.........casual or elegant.........and your plans for "fine dining". If you are sailing a ship with all the elegant evenings, this takes special forethought on your part....

Save Money On Travel Reservations
Cheap Reservations without the Hassle - Plan your vacations on off seasons, Hotel rates, even airline and car rental rates are lower during this time due to lower demand. You can get as much as a 50% discount if you book a room during off...

Tips for Summer Travel
The summer is right around the corner, and thousands of Americans are planning vacations and trips. Traveling on a budget can be tricky, but it is not impossible. The key is to plan ahead, and try to the make the most out of what you have. Contact...

Travel Health Insurance: Reimbursement Depends On Following The Rules
(NC)—Travelling, whether for business or pleasure, involves risk. A personal emergency may necessitate an early return, or you may need hospital treatment or air evacuation due to a medical problem. Travellers should be aware that the Ontario...

Travellers: Make Your Health Policy Work For You
(NC)—The purchase of travel health insurance is a sensible idea for anyone taking trips outside Canada. If you get sick unexpectedly or have an accident while you are away, the health services in other countries are generally much more costly...

 
Car Rental Safety During Traveling

What do I need to do before I leave the rental lot?

You're in a big hurry now that you're got the car, but take a few minutes to familiarize yourself with this new car. Check the car for interior or exterior damage. Find the lights, radio, wipers, turn signals, cruise control and side mirror controls before you leave the lot. Set the seat and the mirrors to a level where you are comfortable. It's also a good idea to study the map and find the route to your destination before you begin driving.

Insurance is a good thing to already own Taking a risk might be good with poker or with your stocks, but when it comes to renting a car, do you really want to forgo insurance? Sure car rental insurance is complicated (even the counter agents don't know everything), but it is an unwise decision to drive without a safety net. Your cheap car rentals might not be as cheap as you think they are if you option to buy the car rental agency's insurance.

The best way to answer your questions about car rental insurance is to check with your credit card company, personal and auto insurance carrier, and the rental car company itself. Be advised that you should not feel pressured to buy the rental company's insurance. Why pay for something you might already have? Take the time to check your own existing policy first. Note that there could be


certain restrictions to your own policy and that certain rental vehicles might not be covered. If you're thinking about renting that Jaguar, you might want to reconsider if your own policy won't cover such a high-end vehicle.

It is unfortunate to note that rental cars are moving targets for theft. However, most rental companies have recently stopped labeling their rental vehicles with their corporate logos. It is a good idea to ensure there are no logos or stickers on your particular rental car. If there is one, you could ask for their immediate removal.

Here are some safety tips:

1. Always be wary of pulling over, especially if it is dark or if you are unfamiliar with the territory.

2. Never exit your car until you are sure that the situation is safe.

3. Keep all your luggage in the trunk. Do not draw attention to the fact that you are a visitor.

4. Stay on the the main roads and stick to your planned route.

About the author:

Daniel Reed is the author of "Car Rental Safety During Traveling". Visit his website: http://www.travellodge.info for more information on traveling.