Your Rental Europe Getaway
Europe Car Rental Advice
If you were thinking about vacationing in Europe next summer and were thinking of renting a car, there are a few things you have to take into consideration first. Renting a vehicle in Europe is very different than in North America. There is a whole different set of rules and regulations that you have to follow and understand before you even start the rental process. I will give you some valuable Rental Europe tips so that your rental experience goes smoothly.
The first thing you have to be aware of is that age is a very important factor when it comes to renting a vehicle in Europe. I you’re between the ages of 18 to 21, you might not even be able to rent a vehicle in certain European territories. This is why it’s very important that you inform yourself about the age restrictions in the territory you’re thinking of renting your vehicle at.
In some place, drivers under 25 will have to pay a surcharge. This is a pretty common practice among European rental services. So if someone in your group is over 25, it would be better that he rents the vehicle so you can save money. Back I the days, surtaxes for senor citizen were common, but surcharges for younger drivers are much more prevalent nowadays.
Your driving record is also extremely important when it comes to European rentals. In certain jurisdictions, drink driving violations can render you unable to rent a vehicle for a period of 3 to 7 years after the fact. If you only have a few minor traffic violations, that shouldn’t affect your rental fees, but people with major convictions should definitely check before hand to avoid any unpleasant surprises.
Now there’s another factor that a lot of people overlook before they think about making a Europe rental. Do you know how to drive manual? Do you know that in certain locations in Europe, automatics are almost impossible to find? Furthermore, automatics cost more to rent, so if you know how to drive a stick shift, you might be in luck.
Some people have even thought about learning to drive a stick shift so they could save on their rental fees, but that’s not always a wise decision. Why? Because inexperienced divers run the risk of damaging the vehicle and you’ll have to cover these damages in case something happens.
Now, let’s talk about insurance for a minute. Make sure that you have a solid liability policy that protects you in case you damage another vehicle. It’s also very important that you have collision damage coverage to cover damages incurred to your vehicle as well. Also make sure that the deductibles are reasonable so that you won’t have to pay incredibly high fees in case you find yourself in a fender bender.
So, if you want your Europe rental to go well, remember to check age limits and restrictions in the jurisdiction you’re about to rent your vehicle in, check the insurance policy twice, go for a stick shift if possible and make sure that your driving record allows you to even rent a vehicle in the area you’re going.