When you have your car loan secured, it’s time to go and rent a new vehicle. You have chosen a great model and style, so hopefully you chose the right company to help you through the busy year ahead.
For those of you who are just starting out in the rental business, it is important to understand how to sell vehicles. Profitable deals depend on how well you deliver on your initial commitments.
There are many ways to deliver vehicles, from buying from sellers via websites or stores directly, through delivery services such as evo4cars, or even by renting from a friend or franchisee.
As the saying goes, money talks, but sometimes it is your personality and qualities that get you what you want. selling a car can be fun and/or straightforward depending on who you talk to.
Check the tire pressure
Having the proper tire pressure in your tires is one of the most important things you should do before you leave the lot with a rental car. The pressure of your tires can make or break your drive, so staying aware of how much air you have in your tires is a good habit to get into.
When you drive on roads, there’s a certain amount of pavement that’s inflated to fit your truck. When you’re driving on those roads, it can be difficult to keep track of how much air is in your tire. It’s also not safe to do so unless your car has an automatic gauge setup that knows how much air it has left.
Generally, all-season tires have about 250–280 feet per mile (the general rule being that they need more air when cold and less when warm) whereas summer tires may need more feet per day due to heat. Check with your rental company for this information.
Look at the vehicle for damage
After you have obtained the car you want, it is time to look at it from all angles. You should do this before you leave the lot with the rental car to make sure there are no damage concerns.
Even if the vehicle appears fine when parked, there is always a chance that something could have happened to it while you were looking at it.
Take pictures of the vehicle before leaving the lot
While it is nice to have all of your documents in the vehicle, it is even more important to take pictures of the vehicle before leaving the lot.
This way, you can make sure that you have everything included in the vehicle and that it looks good. You can also take some pictures of your own car while driving it so that you know it looks good when parked.
By having pictures of the vehicle, you will have confidence in taking care of your rental car while you are driving it. You can also send these photos to yourself via email or text message so that you have them ready when you return the car.
It is a good idea to ask your rental company if there are any special requirements for taking care of a rental car.
Report any damage immediately
If you have a car that was broken into or damaged in any way, don’t leave it at the lot if there’s a possibility of damage. Report it to the police right away so that they can look into it and determine whether or not property was damaged in the incident.
The police will take your report and proceed with their investigation, which could result in the person who tampered with your car being charged with a crime. They may also order you to pay for any damages caused, if the vandalism was too extensive.
It is very important that you report this kind of damage immediately, as most cities require 48 hours before any insurance company will cover it.
If you notice anything unusual about your car, such as something breaking or smudging on something, call your insurance company immediately to see if anything has been claimed on it. If so, have them pay for whatever is wrong.
Keep your rental agreement and receipt safe
While driving in a rush can result in a crash, it’s important to keep your mental and physical health throughout the rental process.
You should do your best to keep your receipt and agreement for your rental car, as well as the car’s paperwork throughout the remainder of your stay at the hotel or lot. This includes having time to easily look up your agreement in case you have a problem with your car or it does not work properly during the stay.
If you need to return the vehicle early, make sure to bring out new receipt and old agreement so that someone can give you another rental vehicle. You may also want to call the leasing company if you run into difficulties with getting another auto on short notice.
Ask about insurance coverage
When you’re leaving the lot with a rental car, make sure to ask about the car’s insurance coverage. Most large rental car companies will provide you with a card or phone number where you can do so.
Some will even go so far as to call the insurance company and ask if they can leave the car at their location while they go find another vehicle to rent. This is an added cost, but it saves you money in the long run!
If the company does not have auto insurance for the driver, ask about getting a liability policy at least.
Report any missing items immediately
Even if you have a good luck with keeping track of your items, there are still some things you should report if the item is missing.
Don’t wait until you reach your destination and realize that the item is not there. Report it as soon as possible to have another chance to find it!
It is very important to keep an eye out for any signs of misuse or damage when a rental car has been used. You can do this by checking the car’s manual, checking the owner’s notes, or by asking the driver or owner if anything has been done to it.
If any signs of abuse have been found, then you should immediately call the leasing company and report them. This will ensure that anyone who uses the car gets careful with it and reports any signs of abuse.
Know your responsibility for damage or loss
When you return a car to the lot, you must present your driver’s license and/or ID to re-register the vehicle. If you have other tags on the vehicle, such as a safety tag, then you must also register that as well.
You should also know your responsibility for the car – it is your fault if something happens to it, like a flood or fire.
It is your responsibility to make sure the car is properly insured and registered before leaving the lot, too. Many times insurance companies will not charge you too much if you leave your car at a lot for a few days while you go on vacation!
Finally, it is your responsibility to make sure the driver has all necessary licenses and permits, as well as proof of insurance.
