Car Rental Toronto

Moving can be a very difficult task because it involves packing up everything you own and moving it to a completely different location. To make the process easier, the services of a moving company is usually needed. However, there is one common mistake that individuals make when employing the services of a moving company and that is underestimating the type and how much insurance coverage is needed in case anything becomes damaged. It is common to check and see that the company offers insurance and just assume that it covers all possible damages and then just go on. This can be quite problematic.

It is not enough to rely on the fact that most moves are trouble-free. However, damages do occur and it can be quite the headache. That is why you should invest in insurance coverage because the moving company is not going to be responsible for damage to your property. It is required by them to be as careful as possible, but accidents do happen. By making sure you have adequate moving insurance, you are able to have any broken items replaced or repaired when damaged during the moving process.

Tips to use

You can always check with your home insurance company and see if they have anything in your existing policies that covers you when you are moving. This is a step you want to take before anything else because you don’t want to pay the movers extra for insurance that you already have. If your home insurance company does, ask them if there are any exclusions. If by any chance there is not any coverage or it isn’t adequate, you can ask them for something that will cover the move.

Other things you can do are:

-    Talk to your movers before making any type of agreement with them. Ask for the details of their coverage such as exclusions, limits, and so on. Many times insurance is included in the quote, but you have to make sure it is adequate. Never move with a company that does not have insurance.

-    If they do offer insurance, check to see if their insurance covers damage to the premises. If so, you have to tell them as soon as the damage occurs in order for it to be covered. You may also find that they will have you make a list of extremely valuable items and that you’ll have to pay extra for these items being moved.

Policies to look out for

Look for policies that have you pay by weight. This usually works by pound. This policy usually only works according to depreciation value, so you may only receive back the current worth of an item. It is possible to pay extra to cover the value rather than the weight. You also have the option to pay for a full value policy. These types of policies usually give you market value in case damage occurs. However, it will result in the repair, replacement, or payment for the damaged item.

For many individuals, the basic insurance policy that is included in the mover’s price is enough. However, it is especially important for you to pay attention to the policy when you are making a long distance move. That will be an instance in which you’ll probably need more coverage, since the longer distance means a higher risk of damage to your belongings. So just make sure you always read the small print that comes with your moving contract Always look for exclusions and clauses so that you have an idea of what you need to do to protect your items.

Renting a car is never easy. The Internet is full of advertisements promising the best deal and they usually give a ‘base price’ in the range of $70 to $100 per day depending upon the size of the car. However, at most times the companies do not explain the hidden costs or even what constitutes the base price offered. Depending on which country the customer rents a car, the quantum of various fees varies. However, it is best to make informed choices when it comes to renting a car – keeping abreast of all the fees that make up your rental bill is the first step when you head out to your travel destination.

Most car companies demand a safety deposit the first time you hire a vehicle. This portion of the rental fee is fully refundable and may come to a couple of hundred dollars depending upon the size of the car. The car rental fee is next; this is the actual charge for renting the car. Most car rental companies also charge a ‘contract fee’ to cover the administrative costs of renting the car to the customer. If the customer requests for a delivery of the car and a place for collection of the returned car, the company may charge two separate fees, once for delivery and the other being the collection fee. Beware though! A collection point designated in a different state by the customer may attract anything up to a couple of thousand dollars as collection fees depending upon the distance of the collection point from the car company’s home office. If the delivery is requested at the airport, a separate ‘airport surcharge’ will also be applicable. In addition, if the delivery or the collection is requested after normal working hours, an ‘after hours fee’ may also be charged. Traditionally, car companies charge a state taxes fee should the client need to drive across states. Driving across international borders may even attract a cross border fee – this is a mandatory fee that may be substantial and not easily waived. Also if you have an additional driver, an additional driver fee can also be charged.

Some countries also charge a tourism fee for tourists who wish to rent a car. Most US cities charge a flat rate as toll tax, and this can range from $2 to $5 per day. Some car companies also charge fuel charge fee or extra mileage fee. This may depend on what scheme of car rental the customer has opted for. Some companies go by a set number of kilometers driven per day or set number of hours per day. Any excess kilometers or time is then charged as extra fee. In case the customer requires a baby seat or a ski rack then additional fees are required to be paid. In some countries being young, usually under the age of 25, attracts extra fees in the form of younger driver fees. Again look out for the hidden fees. With fancy names such as collision damage waiver (CDW) fees, you may pay hefty sums as much as $15 a day. This fee is not actually collision insurance but more as a guarantee that the rental company will pay for any damage to the rental car, along with a caveat of some ‘deductibles’.

Finally if you intend to return the car earlier than planned, don’t hope for a sizeable refund. Many companies actually penalize you for cutting the rental duration; an early return fee becomes admissible! It is therefore extremely important that you – a prospective customer – are attentive to the ads and the terms and conditions of hire before signing up for a car rental. If you take renting seriously, consulting your car insurance company or your credit card company before hiring a car would be a great idea. In the end, don’t fall for tall claims and false promises – choose your rental company prudently and have a worry-free vacation!

Taking the long planned step to move abroad? Seems like you have finally met all the ‘requirements’ having employed an international moving company to do the job. Hold on! There are some pre-move checks which must be done by you prior to handing over the items to be packed by your packers and movers. Your first step is to segregate the items in identifiable groups – try organizing your clothes, electronic items, crockery and glass ware, sports and gym gear and so on. Next dehumidify and dry all items. Take a photograph of your expensive items and furniture and ensure that the moving company signs on a copy of these photos. This will help you in case of a claim for damages at a later stage. Check with the embassy of the host country for specific documentation that may be required on specific items. Have these ready well in time as you may be required to give these documents to your moving company along with a copy of your valid passport, Visa and work permit, as well as appropriate insurance documents.

Next, choose the date of moving with great care. The best days to move would be on working days, especially when you take into account the loading and unloading at the other end. This would help you avoid demurrage charges for holding your baggage over weekends at the custom warehouses in the host country where you are relocating. Avoid delays by skipping the first or the end of a month for moving as many people tend to move at this time. Be sure to also check the holiday schedule of your new country of residence.

Now your moving company will have many ‘packages’ to offer. Ensure that you have thoroughly read through the terms and conditions of each one of them. Basically the choice rests between moving your household items by air or by ship. If you have a large number of household items and furniture to be transported, shipping it by sea is a cheaper alternative. However, depending upon the transit time, it may take anything from three weeks to a month or more for you to get your items at your destination. Moving by air can either be termed as ‘accompanied’ or ‘unaccompanied’. Accompanied baggage is extremely expensive and something that not many can afford. Unaccompanied baggage is the usual choice which does entail a delay of a day or two over and above your own travel plans. Most people, who have a earmarked residence at the new location send their baggage a day or two in advance and ‘time’ it with the moving company is such a way that the baggage is available for collection on arrival.

Now that you have gotten all your quotes ready, select the appropriate ones taking into account any atypical fees or surcharges. Check for the quantum of company liability to be signed for, which is the amount the moving company promises to pay for your items in the event of a loss. Prepare a complete list of items which require insurance and its estimated cost. The moving company will also check that you have a realistic quote and then offer a liability agreement. A regular insurance premium will be payable, but this liability agreement will have to be backed by a regular baggage insurance, especially if you are transporting some invaluable items. Follow these handy tips and set your relocating worries to rest.

Are you looking for a good deal on a rental car? There are several rental car companies to choose from and they all have different rates and specials. Finding the best rental rates can be a bit tricky but once you know the ins and outs of finding deals it can be fairly simple. Here are some tips to finding the best car rental rates.

Search for Rates

To look for the lowest rental rates, the internet is a great tool. There are online travel websites, such as Expedia and Orbitz that will give you the available rates and car models from various rental agencies. You can easily price and model compare for the dates you need a rental. Keep in mind the rate that is initially displayed usually does not include all taxes and fees. There also may be better rates available from individual car companies’ websites since they reserve the best rates for customers who rent directly through them.

Find Discounts

There are several discounts available but they are rarely advertised so it pays to do some research. Common discounts include corporate, auto clubs (such as AAA) and senior discounts. If you qualify, there is usually a place for a discount code on the agency’s website. If you don’t know the code, contact the qualifying company and ask for the code or call the rental agency and ask. Keep in mind that that discounts can not usually be used in conjunction with special rates. In any case, special rates are usually the cheapest option. To apply the discount you’ll need to show proof such as a membership card at check-in.

Partnerships

Most rental car agencies partner up with airlines and other companies in the travel business such as cruise lines, hotels and theme parks. If you’ll be renting your car on vacation then it pays to ask the airline, hotel or cruise line if they partner with a rental car company. You’ll need to show your ticket or confirmation when you pick up you rental car.

Insurance

Insurance costs can be more than the actual rental fees. Sometimes your own car insurance or the credit card you’ll be using will cover part or all of the insurance requirements. It pays to find out so research it beforehand. If you do need to purchase insurance then figure out which option best fits your needs. Agents will try to sell you the most expensive insurance which may not be what your need.

Be Willing to Switch

Customers tend to give repeat business to the company that gave them the best rate in the past. Since rental companies are constantly changing there rates, it pays to shop around and find the cheapest. If you’re looking for the best rate then be willing to switch and try a different rental car agency.

Rental cars are very convenient to have access to because they keep you from putting the wear and tear of traveling on your own car. They are also great for those who do not have a car that will survive lengthy trips. But there is one thing that has to be considered and that is the fact that accidents do happen. What happens if you are rear-ended in a rental car and you’re not at fault? Are you responsible for the damages or is the person who was at fault? Does the car rental company take care of it? What happens? These are all excellent questions because it can be quite confusing when an accident occurs.

It is also a good idea to get answers to any questions you have when you rent the car. It is not enough to hope that you do not get into an accident. When it is not your fault, that means you had no control over what happened. You could not have prevented it in any way. The only actions that you can prevent are your own, so make sure you receive the necessary information from the car rental company regarding what to do in case of a crash.

Insurance

Your individual insurance should cover you while in a rental car. That is why the rental car company requests that you prove your insurance. They like to have copies of your insurance card in case there is an accident. However, it is fair to assume that they do this in case the accident is your fault and they need to make a claim on your insurance to cover the damages.

When asking the car rental company about how it would work if you’re in a wreck that isn’t your fault, they may tell you to consult with your insurance company. Being that you’re covered by your individual insurance, you are subject to their particular rules and regulations.

What to do in an accident

So what are you to do in the case that you are rear-ended in a rental car? Be sure you call your insurance company before you do a single thing. If the rental car company says that you owe them money, don’t just pay up. Make sure you talk to your insurance company first. They will tell you what to do. They will most likely take the claim and then submit it to the insurance company of the individual who caused the crash. That way the damages are paid to the rental car company. If any deductibles need to be paid, then you’ll pay that deductible to your insurance company and not the car rentals company. There shouldn’t be any reason why you would have to pay them any money for a crash that wasn’t your fault. It also depends on what your insurance policy says about wrecks when you’re in a rental car.

So make sure you know these things before renting a car. That way you’ll know exactly what to do if you are rear-ended on the interstate. When being rear-ended it is obvious that it isn’t your fault. Most rear-end accidents are considered the fault of the driver who hit you. So proving that the crash wasn’t your fault is not a hard task at all. Just know your rights and have all of the information ready so that you don’t panic if you’re in a wreck. Don’t start running crazy scenarios through your head such as having to pay the entire cost of the rental car. That is something very unlikely. Just be sure to call the police and take insurance information from the driver at fault just like you would if it were your own car.

You’re in a foreign country that you have never visited before and you’re in a rental car. This is the perfect combination to get you lost. You have several elements working against you. Those elements are: You’re in a car that is unfamiliar to you, the steering wheel is probably on the opposite side of what you’re used to, and you are not familiar with the area. That is why you need to do everything you can to keep yourself from getting lost. By not getting lost, you are able to get to your destinations faster and enjoy your trip instead of being frustrated all of the time.

Things to do before the trip

Before you leave to go to a foreign country, make sure you familiarize yourself with the spoken language. Make sure you recognize it in writing as well. It is ideal that you acquire maps of the places you’re going to visit in your own language so that you understand what the maps are telling you. If you don’t and you acquire the maps in the country you are visiting, you may be able to acquire maps in your own language from the car hire company. If they are not available, that is another reason for you to familiarize yourself with the language so that you can read the maps.

Try to arrange a group tour. See if there are any tours going on in which you can travel in groups. That way you have some kind of guide on your trip while enjoying the tour and you don’t have to worry about getting lost unless you get separated. The odds of you getting separated is very slim, so hooking up with a tour guide and going on some sort of tour can really be quite the treat and you don’t have to worry about losing your way.

Once you’re there

Many cellular phones nowadays have built-in GPS systems. Many of these phones can also be used in foreign countries because they are designed to work on the different bands that exist around the world. If you have a phone with a built-in GPS system and it is called a ‘world phone,’ then you can use the GPS system on your phone to help you navigate around a foreign country in your rental car. This is stress-free travel at its finest.

However, for those who do not have world phones, there is another option. There are cellular phone rental booths at airports that allow you to rent these phones. If your phone has a SIM card, all you have to do is insert your SIM card into the phone and all of your activity is billed to your cellular phone account. In the meantime, you are able to utilize the GPS feature and make phone calls to your loved ones back home.

You also want to acquire a map when you get there anyway. Even if you acquired a copy in your own language, you want to compare the maps since some things change. You can always pick up a local map from the truck hire or car hire company. You don’t want to miss anything, so this is definitely an ideal task. Even if you didn’t hook up with tour guides before you left, you can learn about tours and find out what types of tours are taking place within the country. That way you can become a part of these tours and know exactly where you are going. No matter which way you do it, you can enjoy your trip to a foreign country and drive around the way you want to so that you can enjoy your freedom.

Getting the ticket

So let’s say you get a parking ticket. You didn’t mean to. You just simply didn’t see a sign or parked at a parking meter and forgot to pay it. So you go home, write a check, and mail the payment for your ticket to the city. However, you find a couple weeks later that you receive a letter from the rental car company telling you the ticket has not been paid. You know you paid it, so you call the city and they tell you that they received the payment. You then call the rental car company and you find out that they will charge a fee to you for you having to pass their contact information to the city that has issued you the ticket. This is because it is then on their record that one of their cars received a parking ticket. The catch to this is the fact that the officer issuing the ticket has to take down the VIN and license plate numbers on the car, which are registered under the rental car company.

Sometimes, the only way a fee is assessed is if the car rental company pays the fee and then they pass on the cost to the customer. However, in an instance where you pay the ticket and the car rental company contacts you, chances are they have not checked to see if the ticket was paid. These companies receive thousands of tickets per day and do not have the manpower to check if each and every ticket was paid. When the municipality that issued the ticket contacts the rental car company about a citation, they automatically assume that the ticket was not paid. Sometimes you can fax a receipt from the original payment to the car rental company to have your money refunded. However, the car rental company will charge a fee.

If you receive a speeding ticket, then the penalty is against you and not the car you are driving. Your personal driver’s license is involved. The police do check the plates to ensure everything is in check, but it is you who has to pay the penalty and not the car rental company. In fact, the car rental company may not be notified that such a citation occurred in one of their cars. The only way is if something happens you do not pay your fine. If the car rental company has to get involved in that case, then you can expect some kind of additional cost.

Exceptions

There are no exceptions to parking tickets, but the one exception regarding a speeding ticket being against you and not the car is in the case you are caught speeding on camera. If the camera catches you speeding, the authorities use the license plate number to find out where to send the ticket. The rental car company gets the ticket. They may pay it, but will pass the cost and a fee on to you for taking care of it. Yes, it is good to be careful, but it is also good to know how you can be ticketed in a rental car just in case it happens to you.

Before you sign the contract and drive away with your rental car, you need to make sure you really know what you have agreed to by signing that agreement. If something were to go wrong while you had the rental car, who would be responsible? How much are you really going to be charged when you return it? What happens if the car gets scratched while you are driving it? You need to consider each of these questions before signing a rental car agreement.

Rental Cars and Insurance

One of the first things you will be asked when you head to the check out counter to pick up your rental car keys is whether or not you want to purchase the rental agency’s insurance policy. Do not say no without thinking first. If something were to happen to your rental car, would you be responsible for the damages? Without insurance, you would.

However, this does not mean that you need the rental car company’s insurance policy. Do you have car insurance on your own vehicle? If so, find out what your current car insurance company covers on rental cars. You may have full coverage on rental cars with your current insurance provider.

Are you paying via credit card? If so, check with your credit card company. Many of them automatically put rental car insurance on the cars that are rented using their cards.

If you do not have insurance with either of these sources, then you need to consider buying it. Also, keep in mind that you will not only pay for the damages to the rental car if you are in an accident. You will also have to pay for the lost time on that car. If it takes three days to fix the car, you will pay for three days of rental on that car, since the rental car company cannot make money during that time frame.

Keep in mind that the damage to a rental car does not have to occur in an accident. If the car is scratched, you could be charged. Be sure to inspect the car thoroughly before driving it off of the rental car lot. Have any damages that you notice noted on your contract.

Hidden Fees and Charges

You may think that you know how much the rental car will cost when all is said and done, but you likely will be surprised when you get your final bill due to additional fees and charges. Of course, you will have to pay taxes on your rental car. Be sure you plan for this when budgeting for a rental car.

You may also be charged for gas. Some rental car companies charge a flat fee for gas and instruct their renters to return the car close to empty. Others will not charge the gas fee if the car is returned full. If you can fill the car up yourself, do so, because the rate the rental car company is going to charge for gas will be more than the gas station down the street.

If a driver on the contract is under 25 years old, expect to pay an additional fee, if the rental car company will even allow this driver to drive the car. Also, adding additional drivers to the agreement will cost extra. Finally, be sure to inquire about late fees, and turn the car in on time unless you absolutely cannot do so.

Renting a car seems like it should be an easy task, but there are many considerations that you need to make before signing the contract. Make sure that you know exactly what you are agreeing to do, and follow through with your end of the contract. This will protect you from unexpected and expensive fees when you return the car.

Sometimes even when you think you have negotiated a really good deal with a company, they may not be giving you their best price. Just to save time, most people are happy to believe that the company is looking after them, especially if it is saving them time. To help you sort out a good cheap car rental deal which can be hard for some people, here are a few handy hints that you may find useful; after all the car rental industry has seen increases in recent years that have pushed the cost of motoring up generally.

Reserve your car using internet sites instead of over the counter ones. You could go along to the car rental office or use the phone but the internet booking sites are almost always able to offer a discount unavailable elsewhere. One way to get cheap car rentals is to try to get the most out of your deal.

When you collect your car it will have a full tank and that is how they expect it returned and you can save a great deal buy finding and using the cheapest gas station to do this before you drop the car off. If the car rental company fills the tank for you it will cost more per gallon than it would at a regular gas station. If you can, always rent at only one Car Company, companies give you a better deal for frequently renting their cars, discounts, coupons and sometimes even miles.

don’t forget to ask them if you can exchange your flyers miles for car rental miles. This is especially useful when your flyer’s miles is about to expire, instead of just letting it go to waste, get a cheap car rental for it. Early reservation is always a good idea and another time when a discount is usually available to customers.

To get your rental cheaper, pick up your car early in the morning, just as the shop is opening, so that there will be a shortage on the cheap car rentals, at this point, the renters may give you a free upgrade. It is also possible to get discounts on more than just a car if your rental agency is affiliated with hotels and airlines; there may be further discounts available if you decide to use all of these. If you have set budget then why not use a site that can source the car at the price you are prepared to pay for your car rental.

Although even if you have been given a great deal, it will be worth your time to see if is available for less elsewhere and to check the company history as you don’t want to be cheated by using an unreliable source. If you intend to have the car for over five days look for discounts on weekly rental and see what further money you can save at the time you reserve the car. Airport pick-ups normally incur a surcharge so if it is possible, collect the car from the rental company’s offices directly and save any additional airport surcharges not mentioned when you booked the vehicle.

One of the best ways to guarantee an enjoyable vacation is to rent a car from a budget car rental as it could be cheaper and will definitely be more convenient for you and your friends. Sometimes though, the companies that rent budget cars, supply cars that are at the bottom end of the spectrum. Always be prepared, that is my motto, you do not have to drive a car that should have been scrapped just because you want to save a few dollars on the rental. So, just to help, I have made a written down a few pointers to help.

I have found that using the internet is a good way to rent a budget car because some sites let you set a limit on what you are prepared to pay. These firms will try to get the best deal for the car that you’ll get and might just toss in unlimited mileage and upgrades, all of that without spending an extra dime out of budget. Look for package deals, fly-drive-stay, or fly-drive, most of these packages give great discounts for rentals, but don’t do it with an airline. If you do not need to organize your car rental with the airline, try a company that is outside the airport you are landing at and you will see they are much more competitive.

Bargains abound on the internet and that also means budget car rental as well. You will often find that there are discounts and extras available but only from the company’s web site. Shopping around on the internet can be fun and save you money as there is almost always a special car rental offer available with one budget car rental company or another. Plus, and this is the good bit; all this can be done from your home.

Another thing to try is whether your credit card company has negotiated special discounts with the car rental company you are going to use. Many car rental companies have arranged special deals with large organizations to ensure they have more business, perhaps you are a member of one of these.

Before you drive the rental car away, carry out a thorough check for damage as often these budget rental cars take a few knocks so if there is make sure the renter is aware of them. For you won peace of mind and financial well-being, check out all the vehicles controls and make sure everything that is fitted works so you won’t have to pay for something that was faulty when you drove it away.

Now we pass the subject of insurance, sometimes your own car insurance covers car rentals, so have a look see before you buy insurance from the rental firm. Saving money is the game so why pay for auto insurance you don’t need when renting your car. Always make sure you have auto insurance as the penalties for driving without adequate cover are severe.

If you are an early bird you may find this last tip useful; when picking up your budget rental car, collect it first thing, just as the staff open the office doors because many of the vehicles will not have been returned and they may offer you an upgrade for free.