Good Car Rentals Not everyone has a reliable vehicle that is able to make a long road trip.  Others need an alternative form of transportation while their vehicle is being repaired.  For these occasions, renting a vehicle can be the difference between being stuck at home or getting out and enjoying life.  Depending on where you live, there may be several car rental companies operating in the area.  Larger metropolitan areas often have locally owned rental car companies in addition to the national chains.  Those living in rural areas may only have access to locally owned companies.  Residents who live near airports can find counters for car rentals for most of the major carriers on site.  Airport locations for car rentals are also helpful for business travelers who cannot utilize public transportation or taxis while in town. What To Consider When Renting A Car Before you sign on the line and accept a car from a rental agency, take the time to compare several companies.  You may only have access to a limited number of companies depending on where you live, but you should still be able to find a company that is affordable and covers all the basics.  Consider the length of time you will need the car and what it will be used for.  Granted you may want to rent the most stylish car available, but if you are going to be traveling long distances, those with better fuel economy and comfortable seating are a better option.  If your own vehicle is in the repair shop and your insurance will cover a rental car, be sure to choose one within the insurance company’s acceptable price range.  Most insurance providers will only cover up to a certain daily cost, leaving you to pay the additional out of pocket expenses.  You will also want to consider how many people will be traveling.  If you have a large group traveling, it might be more cost effective to rent a van than to have several people drive their own vehicles. Top Rental Car Companies When renting a car, most consumers usually choose to rent from the car rental companies that are most widely known.  This is usually because there are more locations for these chains and prices tend to be lower, especially in larger cities.  Some of the most popular companies include Enterprise Rent-A-Car™ (www.enterprise.com), Hertz™, and Avis™ (www.avis.com).  Budget™ (www.budget.com), Thrifty™ (www.thrifty.com), and Dollar™ (www.dollar.com) tend to have the lowest prices on car rentals; however, cheap car rentals are not always the best option.  All these companies are similar in that they have several classes of cars ranging from economy size to full size.  In addition, these larger companies also have rental SUVs, pickup trucks, and full size vans with seating for large groups.  Patrons can choose to rent vehicles for one day, a week, or even for extended time periods.  Some of these companies provide convenient services where they will bring the car to you.  It’s best to shop around among these large companies to get the best rates for your car rental needs.  If you live in a large city, having a vehicle isn’t always a necessity, though on occasions you might need to have a car to get to a meeting or get your groceries home from the store.  A new company that allows customers to rent cars by the hour is popular for inner-city drivers.  By visiting www.zipcar.com, customers can enter their zip code and find where cars are located in their area with specific addresses.  A customer must first apply online for a membership.  They are then mailed a card that will allow them access to any of the cars on the list.  You don’t need a key for the car, just hold the zipcard up to the window to gain access to the vehicle.  While this service is not yet available nationwide, it is becoming increasingly popular, especially in college towns.  Customers are charged a $50 annual fee for membership and a one time $25 application fee and must be at least 21 years of age to be eligible.  Hourly rental rates begin at only $5 per hour. Tips To Make Your Experience More Enjoyable Another thing to consider when looking for a rental car is to find out what all is included.  Some companies will only allow drivers a specified number of miles each day, while others allow unlimited mileage.  If you will be traveling great distances, look for those with unlimited mileage.  In addition, remember to refill the gas tank before returning the vehicle to the agency.  Failure to do so could result in additional fees charged by the company which are sometimes as much as double the price you would pay at the pump.  In the past, rental cars only came equipped with the basic necessities, but today’s rentals are different.  Customers can add optional features such as GPS navigation and satellite radio to make their trips more enjoyable.  If you need a car to get you back and forth to work while yours is being repaired, or are going on a family vacation, the use of a rental car can help alleviate some of the stress.  You won’t have to worry about depending on the kindness of others to get you around, and you won’t have to worry about your car leaving you stranded on the side of the highway hundreds of miles from home.