What you need to know before you rent a car!

Teri Ann Renee Paisley, Gleaner Online Writer

Recently the rental car industry has been featured prominently in the news. There has been much concern by the police at the ease in which cars are rented by unscrupulous persons who use them to aid them in their criminal activities.

The consensus is that more needs to be done by car rental companies in order to track those who rent vehicles. If those records are accurately kept then it would help the police to apprehend suspects in crimes.

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This issue got me thinking about how the rental car system operates in Jamaica. After checking with a few local rental car companies, I realized the most important thing to them was that the consumer was able to afford to pay the rental rate and returned the car in good condition.
Although there is paperwork to be filled out by the person renting I wonder how much of it is kept by the company after the car is returned?

So who rents cars?

Of course, not all those who rent vehicles are criminals, as there are many legitimate reasons for renting a vehicle. For example, if you were in a car accident, most insurance companies will only pay for loss of use if the car used is from a car rental company. Those visiting the island, whether for business or pleasure would also find it beneficial to have their own vehicle instead of depending on family or friends.

Some companies also permit their employees to rent vehicles and use them for business purposes.
The cost of renting vehicles has become very prohibitive in these harsh economic times but it still continues to thrive as consumers utilize the convenience of their services.

Important to Note

There are a number of things to bear in mind when considering renting a vehicle.

• Shop around for the most competitive price.
• Do background checks and ensure that the car rental company is a reputable one.
• Avoid renting if you are under the age of 22 as this will attract an additional fee.
• Buy the insurance package that will give you the maximum coverage.
• Maintain the car’s original appearance to avoid liability due to damage.
• Return the car on time to avoid penalties.

So do you rent cars? Let me hear from you!!

Tags: consumer, Jamaica, rates, save