Car Rentals Business Guide: Helping You Get to Your Meeting on Time

The purpose of car rentals is to provide transportation to those who either have problems with their own vehicle or have no car at all. Car rental businesses own a fleet of cars that they offer to individuals for short-term or long-term use for a fee.

Benefits

Image

When you show up to meet a client in a newer model vehicle, you are projecting the success of the company. This provides a more professional image as opposed to arriving in an older, rundown vehicle.

Selection

By renting a vehicle from a car rental company, you can choose from a wide variety of models so that you can show up in a different vehicle each time. You have the opportunity to drive a wide variety of vehicles so that you do not tire easily of one model. Rentals allow you to test-drive a large selection of makes and models so that you will have a firsthand knowledge of a product before you decide to purchase one for your personal use. A large selection of rentals allows you to always drive a vehicle that is in good shape and with a newer body style.

Upkeep Costs

Renting a car for your business saves time and money on vehicle upkeep. The rental company will maintain the vehicle by keeping the oil changed and making necessary repairs as needed. Even if you rent the car for long-term use, you will not be required to service the car. One of the most expensive costs of car ownership is the cost of replacing parts from normal wear and tear. At the time of your contract, you will go over the car with a sales representative from the rental location. You will be given a checklist for the vehicle, which allows you to record any damage to the car at the time the contract is signed. It is up to you to be as specific as possible on any issues to the vehicle so that you will not be held responsible for any problem when you turn in the car. This includes dings, paint chips, carpet stains, and anything that indicates non-working order.

Other Benefits

One of the main benefits of car rentals is that you only pay for the vehicle when you use it. If you lease or purchase a new car, you make payments on the vehicle whether you drive it or not. With car rental, you can turn the vehicle back to the car rental location to avoid paying any fees or rental charges. Turning the vehicle in makes you eligible for new rental specials. Specials change daily, depending on where you rent your vehicle from. Some rental places provide discounts to those who rent a car more than once. You can get credit or a discount on your next rental. There are usually many different specials going on at one time, depending on how long you want to rent the vehicle.

Pitfalls

Car rentals are not always the best answer if you have other available options.

Long-Term Cost

One the main disadvantages of car rentals is that they are generally more expensive in the long run when compared to owning a vehicle. Car rental businesses make money by charging higher rates than you would incur when paying the vehicle for ownership. This is especially true if you own the vehicle and no longer make payments.

Selection

The vehicle that you choose is not always available to you. This is especially true during high rental times, such as summer vacations and spring breaks. You could be forced to take a vehicle that is much larger than you need, which will incur a more expensive rate. You could also be forced to take a very small vehicle, which can make traveling very uncomfortable.

Pricing

The cost of a car rental for your business will vary depending on the size of the car that you choose and the length of time that you wish to rent the vehicle. Compact cars have lower rental rates because they are cheaper. Generally, the larger and the more expensive the vehicle, the more expensive the rental rate will be. Check with the car rental location for special pricing for companies and special rates for longer rentals. Often you can rent a car for the weekend for a cheaper price than you do for one or two weekdays because of weekend specials. Paying for additional insurance offered at the rental location can also increase your rental price. Contact your car insurance company and ask if it covers you on car rentals. If your insurance company covers rental damages, then you can decline the additional coverage offered by the car rental location, which will lower your rate.

Car rentals for your company can provide huge benefit by affording a reliable transportation during business trips. These can save you the headache of servicing your car every time you have to travel and allow you to concentrate on your company instead of worrying about whether or not your personal vehicle will make the trip.