Way back people could hire cars with chauffeurs and now the trend has changed you can hire a car for self-drive options and this comes with convenience and comfort. There is also flexibility to plan for your
travel.

Now car renting business has gone worldwide as there are very many companies offering these services to people traveling. The market has become as competitive as there are companies offering these services at relatively cheaper prices to outmuscle the already famous companies. However, some companies may have very attractive prices but they offer substandard services so one has to be careful when choosing the self-drive car rental service.

Car hire companies have websites where you can compare and contrast the best companies for self-drive in Rwanda. Here are some of the things you have to check for.

The choice of the car is so important. Various companies have different types of cars to offer to their customers and most companies will stick to using SUVs and sedan cars as the best traveling option but do not get carried it is just a selling language. Always choose a car that fits your bill for example
select a compact car if it can do the same job as any other expensive car.

Check the insurance coverage for the car hire. This is done to protect you from incurring more costs in case of an accident and damages. When the car is not insured against a third party, it is prone to getting traffic penalties if caught by the traffic police. It is illegal to drive a car in Rwanda without third party insurance.

Check the fuel usage as some companies give vehicles to their customers when they are fully fuelled or partially. So before you drive the car check the fuel gauge to know the amount of fuel in the car and you should return the vehicle with the exact amount as you took it.

Always read the customer reviews that are found on the company’s websites. The reviews will give an insight into what kind of services the car hire agency offers to their customers. With positive reviews, you know that the company has a good reputation and a good reputation comes with better services.

Check the liability clause in the agreement. Try to find what damages are you supposed to pay for case of any damages and also make sure that the liability clause is favorable to you as you do not have to pay a lot of money for the damages and the car must be insured for some huge damages like car crush and car theft.

Car rental gives you the freedom to travel where you want at any time and the best part of it is you travel in a very nice car that you cannot even afford but at a relatively less expensive price. However, there are some problems that you may face on the road like a car break that can frustrate you. But these problems were foresighted by the car hire companies and they can be taken care of and you also have to do something in order for the company to help you.

You have to do the following in case of a breakdown of your car rental

General accident like a car crash

The first thing you have to do in case of an accident please call the car rental company and the nearest police center. Create a police report to let them know about the accident. Wait for the inspection then other proceedings will follow.

If you can drive the car

What you have to do is to contact the car rental agency if a minor break down. The agency will ask you to drive their nearest outlet or office and they will get another car or send you a car to continue your trip.

If the car has got a small problem like a flat tire, you have to change the tire as they is always an extra tire in the car or for a minor dent pay for the repair at the nearest mechanic shop and keep the receipt for the payment of the repair to present to the company.

If you cannot drive the car after the break down

If the car gets a complete malfunction, you just have to call the car rental agency and wait for the assistance to come. If the car is in unsafe place talk to the locals to push it and put it in a safe place as you wait for the assistance who will repair it and continue your voyage.

In case the car breaks down far away from the agency’s proximity, contact the agency and request them to another vehicle to continue your journey. If it is not possible to replace the car and the assistance will take so long to reach seek permission from the car rental agency to take the car to the nearest auto mechanic car repair workshop so that they can amend the damages and continue your trip. Remember to keep the receipts for the repair so that the car agency refunds your money if you are insured for car rental.

To some people car renting is regarded to be very expensive, however, there are some things you have to do or follow to save some money on car rentals.

First of all on your next holiday if you happen to take up a self-drive in Rwanda make sure that the car hire is fully covered with insurance or make sure that back home you have car rental insurance whereby while driving in Rwanda you are not liable to any damages that may happen to a car in case of an accident or theft. Because you are more likely to pay for the damages whereby you will spend more money to repair the car if you are not covered for these damages.

This is usually a common mistake among travelers who hire cars in Kigali where by the car hire provider gives you a car with a half or full tank of fuel to start up your journey by going to the hotel or any destination and you return it with less fuel. Please always return the car with the exact amount of fuel it was given to you because if you fail to do so, you are more likely to pay a big fee/fine to make up for the fuel you used the first time.

Always tell the car hire provider all the extra services in the car hire package pricing other than charging them separately. In most cases, if extra services like the baby seat for family drive and GPS for self-drive are charged separately, they come with higher prices than when charged within the entire car hire service package.

Before you take up a car hire for your vacation, make sure you inspect it with the car hire company so that you can know the condition of the car and also take photos of the car that act as evidence when you return the car. This lets you know which damages you are to be accounted for when you return the car to the car hire company.

Always check on your agreement if there is an early return rule and follow it. When the latter is in the agreement you have made with the car hire company please endeavor to return the car in the earliest time possible. Try to leave the destination you have been touring early so that you can return the car within time. Because you may be charged for returning the vehicle at a later time than what was agreed.

Always try to put the above into account so that you can save some money on your car rental.