When taking a family vacation, time is precious so choosing to rent a van is the most time efficient way to visit everything you want to and not feel rushed. This article will cover four things you can do to make your rental experience a smooth and pleasant one while in the windy city. When traveling, the last thing you need is unnecessary hassle or stress.
- Make Sure Your Van is Big Enough
Having enough space in the vehicle is a must for maximum comfort. If you have children, you will want to have enough space to entertain them while on the way to your destination. Many companies offer rental vans in a variety of sizes; such as mini vans, passenger vans, cargo vans, and wheelchair accessible vans. They also offer different features like TVs, bluetooth capabilities, and automatic opening doors; ask your rental company about such features when you call to book.
- Book Ahead of Time
In order to get the model that is right for your family and at a good rate, you should book ahead. What you were hoping to rent may not be available if you are trying to rent it the day you need it. Keep in mind, if you’re traveling to large urban centers, whether New York, Los Angeles, or Chicago, you may want to make multiple reservations while you are shopping in order to compete with the large number of tourists you’ll be traveling amongst. Most rental agencies do not charge a penalty for canceling as long as you do so within the allotted time frame. For most companies, you can find the cancellation time frame on the reservation or their website under rental agreement policy or terms and conditions.
You should also familiarize yourself with the rental van policies. Make sure you know what is expected of you so that there are no surprises later on. For instance, most companies want you to refill the gas to a certain level. They look for damages incurred while you rented it so inspect it upon pickup and take pictures of any visible damages before driving it out of the lot. These pictures can prove useful if you get into a dispute with the rental agency.
- Rental Insurance
If you have car insurance already, you might be saying “Oh, I don’t need to buy any.” You should also take other factors into account when deciding on whether or not to purchase insurance. If you have a limited liability plan, it will do you little good if you get into an accident while driving a rental van. If you do not have health insurance, then you might want to think about purchasing personal accident insurance.
You are not obligated to buy rental insurance from the rental company. However, if you choose to buy from the rental company, you will save money by buying it online rather than waiting until the day you pick up the vehicle. If you will be driving in big, congested cities, there are several rental insurance pros and cons that you should research, whether you’re looking for a van rental in Chicago, New York, or Los Angeles.
Having fun is most likely at the top of your list, but you and your family’s safety should also be taken into consideration when renting a van or planning a trip.
- Choosing a Rental Company
When you rent a vehicle, you think of companies like Hertz or Enterprise, but they are not your only options. According to the New York Times, smaller car rental companies have the same vehicle options, but their lower operating costs allow customers to save between 15 and 30 percent over those who use national chains.