CAR HIRE IN FLORIDA TIP 1 - WHAT IS INCLUDED AND WHAT IS NOT!
You can come across some amazing looking prices for hiring a car in Florida but when you look at the detail you find that the Florida car hire companies do not include unlimited mileage, local taxes or car hire insurances.
When you hire a car in Florida you may not be doing much driving in which case unlimited mileage may be unnecessary but insurances are essential and do increase the car hire cost in Florida markedly. We usually found these cheap looking car hire prices were really not so cheap after all and could be regarded as a pretty underhand and misleading tactic.
When searching for car hire in Florida make sure all of these potential extras are included in the car rental price you have been quoted:
Third party insurance.
Airport fees.
Breakdown cover.
All local surcharges.
Loss/collision damage waiver.
Unlimited mileage.
CAR HIRE IN FLORIDA TIP 2 - AIR CONDITIONING.
It may sound obvious but DO check that the cheap price you have found for your car hire in Florida applies to car hire with air-conditioning. Temperatures in the summer in Florida will mostly be above 30 degrees Celsius, sometimes over 40 degrees Celsius (over 100 degrees Fahrenheit).
CAR HIRE IN FLORIDA TIP 3 - BOOK AHEAD.
Do not just arrive at the airport in Florida without a car hire reservation. When you find the car hire desks they are invariably busy and chaotic with long queues and stressed staff. It is far better to already have reserved your car hire in Florida so you have a car hire reservation with a reference number so at least you know they will have a car ready and waiting.
At least if the Florida car hire company does not have your requested car hire they will have to upgrade you to a better model of car hire for free. You also tend to get cheaper car hire in Florida if you have booked your car hire in advance - not if you just turn up at the last minute.
CAR HIRE IN FLORIDA TIP 4 - DON'T PENNY PINCH.
Do consider the large amounts of luggage you will have in Florida and maybe go for the next size of car hire up and just treat yourself rather than traveling round on your holiday in Florida like a sardine. The price difference between different models of car hire in Florida is usually surprisingly small.
CAR HIRE IN FLORIDA TIP 5 - CHILD SEATS.
When you hire a car in Florida you can usually hire a car seat for children for about an extra $5 a day. Not only can this add-up, it can often happen that the message doesn't reach the local car hire office in Florida. It can often be a no-hassle option to take your own car seat rather than getting angry when all after a stressful flight all you want is to get your car hire and go. You simply check-it in at the airport with your luggage so it is not really much trouble to do this.
CAR HIRE IN FLORIDA TIP 6 - CHECK EVERYTHING!
When you get to your car hire pick-up point in Florida you must check that everything matches your voucher. When you booked car hire in Florida over over the internet or at a travel agent, you may have requested certain car hire extras such as adding extra drivers and maybe the message didn't get through. Even check you are getting the right sort of car hire you asked for!
Do all of this before you sign all the car hire paperwork. Make sure you take any print-outs you have so if there are any problems in Florida at the car hire office you have it all in writing.
CAR HIRE IN FLORIDA TIP 7 - DAMAGE.
When you have got your car hire in Florida you naturally just want to get going but make sure the car hire company in Florida acknowledge any bumps and scrapes already on the car. If you don't you may find that when you return your car hire the car hire company may hold you responsible (and charge) you.
CAR HIRE IN FLORIDA TIP 8 - PETROL.
When booking car hire in Florida make sure your car hire is a diesel car as it will be much cheaper to run.
CAR HIRE IN FLORIDA TIP 9 - EXCESSES.
Most Florida car hire insurance policies have an excess which means you promise to pay a set amount (say it is $500) if you have an accident and the car hire company cover the rest of the cost of repair. Be aware of how much the car hire excess is because sometimes they can be very high in Florida.
When you are at the car hire office in Florida you may want to consider paying a small bit extra to make sure you are not liable for anything or at least lower the excess, especially as when you are driving in Florida you may not always fully understand the local road rules.
