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Hidden Fees to Watch Out for When Renting a Car in Vancouver

Renting a car in Vancouver is another good way to move around the city and enjoy its stunning scenery. However, there are always other indirect charges that sometimes can be very high and, if not well understood can significantly affect the renting price. This blog will explain a few unseen fees you must consider when renting a car in Vancouver.

Base Rate or Full Tariff

When you search for car rentals, you will find some advertised at very affordable base rates. But this rate hardly tells the real story of other costs you’ll be expected to pay. Several rental companies set this low base rate for the day so that more clients are drawn to their companies, only to discover that additional fees start as soon as one commences to book. These can include taxes, airport surcharges, and any other charges that may increase the total price to almost double that of the listed fare.

To prevent such an occurrence, you should always ask for a quote for the total costs before confirming your booking. Thus, you can compare offers from various companies more precisely.

Insurance and Waiver Fees

Another major and perhaps the most unnoticed general expense of car rental is insurance. Whereas primary insurance is usually included in the rental price, rental companies often attempt to provide additional insurance plans. These can include collision damage waivers, personal accident insurance, and liability protection.

Purchasing such an insurance policy can give extra protection, but it is crucial to know what may already be included in the auto insurance policy or credit card perks. A word of caution: If you are using a credit card, most of them come with some rental car insurance, and this will probably exclude you from having to pay for insurance you don’t need. Before your trip, always ensure that you have checked your current policies to avoid getting an insurance policy you already registered with, hence paying extra fees.

Fuel Costs and Travel Limitations

Fuel charges are another form of hidden fee that often slips into our bills. Some companies stick to a “full to full” policy in which the customer is supplied with a car with a tank of fuel and is expected to return the vehicle in the same state. However, some firms will charge you more if you don’t independently fill it out, usually at service stations that are more expensive locally.

Also, remember certain limitations, such as the number of miles travelled. However, many times, unlimited mileage is a feature of the package. If they put a daily mileage limit in the low-budget deals, that would be mentioned. Going over this limit attracts steep per-mile charges, which could cost very high for a high-mileage driver. When considering long car hires within British Columbia, it is wise to inquire more about distances.

Other Driver and Equipment Charges

For equal sharing of driving responsibilities, know that there will be extra charges for extra drivers. Many times, rental companies impose a few bucks for each additional driver incorporated in the contract. These fees hike the total cost of the car rental and could prove expensive, especially if one is to rent the car for an extended period.

Furthermore, many car rentals also offer optional accessories such as GPS navigation systems, baby car seats, or ski racks, which attract daily charges as well. Yes, these add-ons are quite useful, but they are bound to lead to higher overall rental charges. If you can, try to take your own gear with you, or if you have to rent one, look for packages where you can get these tools for less.

Therefore, it is essential to keep these hidden fees in mind to avoid adding unnecessary charges while hiring a car in Vancouver. Always read the terms and conditions, ask questions about the prices, and make comparisons that focus more on the overall prices, not mere per-day, per-week, or per-hour prices. If you are looking for best car rental deals in Vancouver, then West Coast Car Rentals is the place to come to.

Category Car Rental DealsTag