Renting a car in Uganda offers holidaymakers the ultimate freedom to explore their dream destinations with no worries. But like the rest of the sectors, car rental firms are among the sectors most complained about.
Some operators want to advantage of holidaymakers by hitting them with fake damage bills at the end of the car hire. Such challenges and unplanned expenses can be avoided when hiring a car abroad by paying attention to our tips below;
Book your ride in advance
It is always important to plan when hiring a car abroad for your road trip. Nothing is tempting like waiting till the last minute to decide on car hire/wait till your arrival at the destination. While this option is possible, it is ideal for seasoned rental masters.
Avoid making hurried decisions on your rental car – take time to search about the Uganda car rental of your preference and have it booked in advance. There are plenty of benefits one may enjoy when he or she books a car in advance which you too stand a chance to be part of.
Place your booking at least 2-4 months early to avoid disappointments on last-minute bookings.
Check & prepare valid driving documents
When you think about hiring a car abroad, first, you must get to know the necessary documents you need. Different car hire companies have their policies and also the driving policies differ from destination to destination.
Some car hire agencies may ask you to present a check code that allows them to view your driving record. Other destinations may require you to have a valid international driving permit and if so, you must obtain it before your actual date of spending a vacation.
Do not purchase the extra insurance anywhere else
When it comes to purchasing rental car insurance, it is important to observe the basics. Be aware of some car hire agencies that make most of their profits by trying to sell you add-ons and extras. These often come at a higher cost yet cover very little.
Such must be avoided, the reason you must get covered properly in advance with a trustworthy and highly recognized online car insurance provider. This can save you a lot of cash and from any expenses on any add-ons.
Do thorough research
The best way to find the ideal Uganda car hire is by conducting thorough research.
There are plenty of options to choose from and you can check through different car rental companies and make comparisons. Some companies such as ours may give some discounts/promotional offers which you stand to enjoy when you book a car for your road trip.
Read the small print
Not everyone likes reading because it can be time-consuming but on the other hand, it can save you.
Ensure that you read through all the tedious small print. Give yourself time to go through everything about the proposed rental car contract and any other added insurance you are purchasing. Inquire from your car hire company about anything that you are uncertain about.
Leave a trail
Before you hit the road, it is wise that you do a thorough check of the car you intend to use for your road trip.
Take photos or videos of the car before setting off and any defects must be presented to the car hire company as evidence to avoid incurring an extra cost on the day of returning the car.
Read about the company’s fuel policy
Read or inquire from the car hire company about their set fuel policy. Often companies give cars on a full tank policy and expect you to return them the same way. It is important to observe the agreement.
Also, it is important to be aware of policies such as full-to-empty which should be avoided.
With a full-empty policy, you pick up the vehicle with a full tank, pay upfront for it, and return it with an empty tank. On returning, you don’t expect to get a refund for returning the vehicle with unused fuel.
Check minimum & maximum age requirements
The minimum and maximum age for one to hire a car varies from country to country or company to company.
The recommended or acceptable minimum age for hiring a car is often stated on the car hire agency’s website or you can inquire before committing yourself to hire a car with the company.
Can you hire a car in one country and leave it in another?
Be aware that some car rental agencies do accept or permit their rentals to be used in other countries. But this normally comes with a cross-border charge and a one-way fee.
Can you take my rental car abroad?
It is possible to book a car for your road trips abroad and this can be done online/directly by contacting the car rental company.
Depending on the location, it is costly to transport your vehicle to a new destination to use it and the most convenient option is hiring the same/one with similar features from the destination you intend to have a vacation.