CAR RENTAL

The tricks they play at the car rental counter

Ask George Mayo about car insurance, and he’ll tell you that his State Farm policy covers rentals. He’s certain of it. And he’s also certain that when he rented a car from Avis in Nashville recently, he declined the optional insurance.

Insurance isn’t required by law when you rent a vehicle in the United States, but it’s a good idea. That’s because you don’t want to pay $30,000 for a new car if you’re in an accident, or even a few hundred bucks for a fender bender.
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Navigating the bewildering new world of car rentals

Alix Davidson says she was “totally excited” when her car rental company recently offered her the keys to a Toyota Prius in Seattle. It was her first time behind the wheel of a hybrid electric vehicle.

But her enthusiasm quickly turned to frustration when she couldn’t figure out how to start the car. “We pushed the button, which looked awfully like our computer’s ‘on’ button, waved the little stick in front of it,” says Davidson, a researcher for an environmental organization in Washington. “Nothing.”
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The Insider: How do I handle a damage claim on my rental car?

Editor’s Note: This is the final installment our new “Insider” series on car rentals. Here’s the first part, the second, the third and the fourth. By the way, if you see something I’ve missed in this post, please tell me in the comments or email me.

You’ve put a dent in your rental vehicle. Or worse, your car rental company claims you returned the car with a scratch or two on it. Oops.

How do you handle it?
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