Hiring a car overseas - What to look out for

I am planning a trip to Mt Rushmore National Memorial to pay tribute to the massive sculpture comprising of the heads of the four former United States presidents: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln, carved into the granite surface of Mt Rushmore. While I was doing my preparatory research on the region, many travel books and resources that I have come across state that the best way to explore the area is by car. I own a car in the US and that helps!

However, regardless of whether you own a car or hire a car, there are a few things that you need to prepare when going on a self drive vacation. For owners of car, you have to perform several checks to ensure that the car is road worthy, however since many of us will be travelling from Singapore to overseas for a short term vacation, most of us will be more concern about what we do need to look out for when hiring a car. 

1. Reputation of the hiring company
Although small local car hiring companies generally offer very attractive prices, you have to read the terms and conditions carefully. There could be additional charges for taking the vehicle out of a certain region, or you can only return the vehicle at very limited locations. You might also want to find out the pick-up location of the vehicle – is it close to where you are, and if not, do they provide complimentary customer pick-ups? You would also want to find out about the availability of after-hours services and roadside assistance while you are on self drive vacation. 

2. After-hours customer services
With a hired car, it can be possible that there are a lot of features that you are not familiar with. Some of the newer cars may require you to push a certain button in order to activate the engine. Or you may need assistance to find the switch for the boot or headlamps. Or there could be something that is totally unexpected and it happens while you have left the hiring company. Is there a number that you can call for assistance? Are they available 24/7? Having a number to call 24/7 may not be necessary for the above mentioned trivial matters, however a 24/7 number is very essential for roadside assistance!

3. Roadside assistance
Knock on wood. Most of us will prefer our self drive vacation to be trouble and hassle free. However, unexpected things may happen. For instance, my car was broken into in Missouri, USA and I lost a GPS and suffered a broken passenger window! In some parts of USA, it is common for cars to hit a deer, and in Australia, it is common to run into a kangaroo. When something like the above happens, you will like to receive support and help from the car hiring company. Of course, the first thing to do when you are involved in a theft or accident is to call the police. The next thing to do is to call the call hiring company. You will like to have a company that will come up to your location, pick up the damaged vehicle and most importantly provide you with a new vehicle so that you can continue with your journey with minimal disruptions! Before you hire a car, price should not be the only factor. Consider the availability of roadside assistance and after-hours customer services to be of equal importance.

4. Insurance and Liability Protection
In the US, the prices quoted for hired cars are generally without insurance and liability protection. Insurance and liability protection can be optional. However, I will strongly recommend purchasing them in the event of an unexpected incident. It could be possible that different companies offer slightly different insurance and liability protection, it is advisable to read your car rental contract carefully. Based on my personal experience with car rental, there is Damage Waiver, Supplemental Liability Protection and Personal Accident Insurance. In brief, I will attempt to describe what they are. However, they are not to be taken as a matter of fact! You should always read your car rental contract carefully especially the fine prints. Damage waiver contractually waives the renter’s damage responsibility for all of the cost of damage to vehicle. Supplemental liability protection provides renter with minimum financial responsibility limits. Personal accident insurance provides renter and renter’s passengers with accidental death, accidental medical expenses and ambulance expense benefits.

My damaged passenger window - Driving to get it fixed

5. Personal travel insurance
Regardless of whether you purchase the insurance and liability protection mentioned above, you should try not to travel out of Singapore without personal travel insurance. If you intend to have a self drive vacation, it may be advisable to look into travel insurance that provides optimal protection for yourself, your travel companions and third parties.

Finally, be safe and stay safe. Enjoy that self drive vacation!

Your Travel Beacon,
Joanne