UNDERSTAND YOUR
COVERAGE
Check with your Travel Manager to see if
insurance is included in your negotiated
contract. Don’t assume you should decline
all coverage like you would if you’re
renting a car on vacation. Different rules
may apply for business travel as opposed
to personal use. It’s also a good idea to
contact your road service provider to see
if the coverage you have with your own
vehicle extends to a rental car. Your credit
card company may cover the damage
of the car but not other fees incurred
by the rental car company, leaving you
personally responsible.
CHECK THE VEHICLE
Before you take the keys and drive away,
do a visual check of the tires to make
sure they’re well-inflated and there’s no
significant wear in the tread. Check for
a spare tire in the trunk. Even though
the rental agency’s customer service
representative will do a visual inspection,
take a few photos of your own so that you
have proof of the car’s condition.
SAFETY FIRST
Savvy business travelers know it’s
important to learn where everything is
located in a new car before they leave
the lot. A few minutes in a stationery car
under the lights can make your travel
experience smooth and stress-free. Find
the emergency brake, adjust the seat
and side mirrors, try the door locks and
window controls and test the windshield
wipers, turn signals and headlights. Listen
for any troubling sounds as you exit the
rental facility.
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