There are times when traveling that renting a car is simply the best method to get from point A to point B. It’s also a great way to see more of a country and to be able to go at your own pace. To be honest, we’ve actually rented cars in the US and abroad more in the last year than we ever have before mostly because it’s added really unique elements to our travels and let us see more places than just staying in one city in a location. We’ve driven around Northern Ireland and Scotland, road tripped through New England, driven across the New Mexican desert and most recently, drove the coastal route from LA up to Santa Barbara and back.
We’ve had really great experiences on road trips and while renting cars while traveling, but there are definitely ways to make it easier and here are my tips while renting a car, no matter what continent you’re on!
The Starving Inspired says
This is good advice, thanks! I rented a car when I stayed in Santa Barbara, and didn’t know most of this stuff… Would’ve been helpful!! Now I know. 😉
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Casey says
Great! 🙂 So glad it will helpful!
Jeanne Delcambre says
just recently had bad car accident in ireland-car was totaled!! luckily had coverage from the irish rental company (they don’t accept american insurance coverage as many other countries do)-didn’t have to pay anything for car at all! only strange thing is that they would have charged me a separate 250euro for the smart key! luckily the paramedics had put the key in my purse-so i returned it and no charge. good to know too is that in ireland if you are in an accident (technically it was my fault as i had pulled into the intersection for a turn, but a large delivery truck came speeding around the blind curve and couldn’t stop in time!) you don’t get a ticket like in america-you get arrested, and have to report to court to determine guilt and the level of the offense. you can bond out while you wait for your court appearance, but can’t leave the country while on bond! the garda (police) were very understanding, didn’t arrest me, interviewed me after i got out of hospital-and said i was okay to leave the country. they explained i would get a summons in a few weeks at home, and i can ignore it if i want-but then would not be allowed to reenter ireland as my passport would be flagged, and i would then be arrested. Or i can hire a “solicitor” to represent me in court, and pay whatever fine was decreed. Haven’t heard anything from them yet, but as hope to actually get to return and see ireland one day in future, plan to settle in court! another bit of advice is trip insurance-i usually do take it out, and this was first time needed it-paid the hospital bills -even though bills were much less than american hospital would have been because of national health care, which was excellent!
Casey says
Wow, what a story!