Yes, there is a wrong way to rent a car

When you're ready to rent a car, the first thing you should do is check with your auto insurance company.

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It's bound to happen sooner or later, for whatever reason —a road trip, your car is in the shop—you need to rent a car. A simple enough task, right? With the right information in hand, it certainly can be.

When you're ready to rent a car, the first thing you should do is check with your auto insurance company. Your insurer may have a preferred rental car company and may cover part of your rental cost, if not all of it.

Ask your insurer whether your policy provides a rental car allowance, and if so, how much per day. Most policies cover rental costs for compact cars only; you can upgrade to a larger vehicle for a few extra dollars a day, but you'll be covering that extra cost, not your insurer.

Start your research for prospective car rental companies here on Kudzu.com. You then will want to call or visit the websites of a few prospective rental car companies to find out their rates, the kinds of cars they rent, and which cars are available when you need to rent. Most companies' sites will allow you to book your rental online.

When you're reviewing their rates and cars, remember to:

• Check for rental car mileage restrictions
  
  Does the rental car company place mileage restrictions on its vehicles? Some companies charge expensive fees when their mileage parameters are exceeded. It's helpful to estimate how much you'll drive the rental car during the days you rent it, and then use that estimate to determine which company makes the most sense for you.
  
  
• Rental car return policies
  
  Many rental car companies require that you return the car in a certain condition, such as with a full tank of gas. Make sure you know ahead of time the condition in which you are expected to return your rental car so you won't be forced to pay any unexpected costs.
  
  
• Car damage inspections
  
  Most rental car companies will perform a routine damage check on the car before you drive it off the lot. Keep a watchful eye on the inspection. Walk around the car and carefully read over anything that has been noted, and more importantly, point out anything the inspector might have missed.
  
  Get in the car, start the ignition and drive it once around the parking lot to be sure everything checks out before you leave. The last thing you want is to get stuck paying for damages you didn't cause.
  
  
• Play it safe
  
  There are many rental car companies that offer seemingly low rates. It's easy to be lured in by their prices only to get hit later with inflated charges from details buried in the fine print of their rental agreements. Always be aware of what's in the fine print.

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