How to rent a car that will fit your golf clubs, what you need to know about rental car terminology

Here is everything you need to know about renting a car that will fit your golf clubs.

Size of car:
This is probably one of the most confusing parts of renting a car, rental car companies tend to use misleading language when describing the cars and their sizes. You are going to need to choose a car that will fit your entire party, your golf clubs and your luggage. A main factor that needs to be considered when choosing a car is how many people are going to be in your party, two people can get a smaller vehicle, but groups of four will need a lot more space. Here are some various car sizes for rental cars:

• Sub compact – Chevy Aveo or similar
• Compact – Chevy Cobalt or similar
• Intermediate – Pontiac G6 or similar
• Full – Chevy Impala or similar
• Premium – Buick Lucerne or similar
• Luxury – Cadillac Sedan de Ville or similar
• Mini-van – Dodge Caravan or similar
• SUV – Chevy Trial Blazer or similar

To find out about the different types of cars you need to do some research but keep in mind if you are traveling with a group of four you should go with a mini-van or SUV to guarantee that you will have enough space to transport your group and all of your belongings.

Taxes and fees:
When you are looking into renting a car and are given a quoted price more often than not the taxes and fees are not included in that price, so to be prepared you need to know what other types of taxes or fees will be added onto your bill when you return the car. If the state charges state tax then that fee will be added on when you return your car. Other fees that might be included are Airport Access Fee and Tire/Battery Disposal Fee. All in all the additional taxes and fees added to your bill are around $5 – $10 per day.

Insurance:
Before you decide to decline the optional insurance that is offered for rental cars you should check to see if your auto insurance will cover you renting a car. If it does you will be able to decline the optional insurance but you must have the name and address of the insurance company, as well as your policy number, your best bet is to bring your car insurance card with you so that you have the information available.

Credit Card Insurance:
Another option for insurance for rental cards is to use a credit card. But you need to know that if there is a claim the credit card company will try to seek reimbursement from your personal insurance first. If your personal insurance does not cover something specific, but will cover something the credit card company will cover the difference. But in almost every case you will have to pay the deductible yourself.

Age:
Almost every rental car company requires you to be at least 25 years old in order to rent a car. If you are between the ages of 21-24 some companies will allow you to rent a car but they might charge a surcharge. Also keep in mind that the only people allowed to drive the rental car are people you put on the agreement and they also must be at least 25 years old.

Driving record:
Most rental car companies are online with the Registry of Motor Vehicles and will check your driving record before allowing you to rent a car. Even if you have made a reservation they can automatically cancel the reservation if you do not have a valid driver’s license, have two or more convictions for speeding or reckless driving within the last two years, or if you have been convicted of a DWI or DUI in the past 72 months.

Fuel option:
This is an option that you can choose if you do not want to refill the tank before returning the rental car, not all companies have this option and it is purely up to you if you decide to take it. The price of this option is what a full tank of gas would cost for the vehicle you have rented, keep in mind though that rental car companies tend to charge 10 to 20 cents more per gallon than the local gas stations. If you do not choose this option you must fill up the tank before you return the car at a gas station that is 5 miles or less from the place where you return it. If you do not refill the tank and did not choose the fuel option the rental car places will charge you a higher rate to fill up the tank, currently the price is over $4 a gallon.