Car Rental Insurance Guide

Auckland car rental companies offer such a wide variety of insurance policies it can be difficult to decide what coverage is really necessary from what is not. Some of the rental company's insurance policy may be necessary while other coverage may be extended through your own auto insurance premium. It's important to know what rental car charges you are responsible for before accepting your car.

Coverage Against Acts of Nature

According to Hertz, a leading provider of rental cars, most major rental companies are not paying for costs associated with acts of nature. It's important for drivers to know that most major car rental companies no longer provide coverage for cars damaged by acts of nature like hail storms, earthquakes and floods.

Read Your Agreement Terms Carefully

It's very important to thoroughly read your rental agreement before taking the keys to your rental car or you could end up paying dearly. However, acts of nature may be covered under your auto insurance policy's comprehensive coverage. It's important for anyone planning to rent a car to check with your own auto insurance policy to find out what it covers when you rent a car. You should also make sure that you have any protection that you are questioning written clearly into your car rental agreement.

Consider who else will be driving the car, and know who your policy covers. Will it extend to family, business associates or friends? You'll probably want to tell you eager teen driver that the rental vehicle is off limits.

Making Sense of the Agreement

Car rental agreements can be very long and complicated documents. They do not contain very many layman terms. Still you should take the time to read through the contract thoroughly before signing. Ask the representative to explain any concepts, phrasing or terminology that you don't understand.

Collision Damage Waiver

Car rental companies offer all types of coverage options to you before you receive your vehicle. These charges can really begin to add up, increasing your rental cost. But a lot of the coverage they sell is the same coverage you are already paying for under your auto insurance policy. This coverage automatically extends to your rental car.

One exception to this is a daily charge that covers the cost of damages to the rental car if you are involved in an accident. It also covers the "loss of use" charge the rental company will end up charging you. "Loss of use" refers to the time and money the rental car company has lost since they can no longer rent the vehicle. If you refuse this coverage, you should be aware that most car rental companies expect to be paid immediately. Deciding not to purchase the Collision Damage Waiver means you'll be expected to pay for the rental on your own. If you rent a car in another country your insurance coverage will not likely extend to your rental.

Keep Asking Questions About Rental Car Insurance Policies

If you have a loss in your rental car that isn't covered under your auto insurance policy, try checking your other insurance policies. For example, personal property that gets stolen from your rental car just may be covered by your rental or home owners policy. Don't assume that because no one has mentioned it that it doesn't exist. The bottom line is that you are responsible for knowing what coverage you do and don't have.

Source:- http://ezinearticles.com/?Car-Rental-Insurance-Guide&id=1489512

Truck Rentals

When the time comes to relocate to a new home or office, whether across town or across the country, renting a truck is the best and easiest option to transport your belongings.

Moving to a new house or office can be a nightmare. An efficient truck rental company can help you relocate your belongings to any location with minimal stress and setbacks. There are many rental services that offer moving truck rentals. If you are in need of a truck rental, there are some important points you should consider before you choose which truck rental to work with.

You need to determine how much space you will need or how much space your belongings will take up. This factor will vary depending on how much property you own. A general rule is that a roomful of household furniture will take up roughly five square feet of cargo space inside a truck. Call your truck rental and inquire about their fleet of trucks for rent. Choose a truck that will fit your belongings in one go, so that you do not have to make return trips.

Inspect the truck first before you agree to rent it. Make sure the truck can transport your properties safely. If you are getting a one-way truck rental, make sure the truck is in good working condition. Also, familiarize yourself with the truck. Avoid busy days when reserving a truck, so that a wider choice of vehicles will be available.

When you have found the right truck, make sure that the pertinent documents, such as insurance, rental agreement, inspection sheet, driver trip report and other paperwork, are good. Inquire from the truck rental company you chose about their services. Most importantly, have a safe trip.

Source: http://ezinearticles.com/?Truck-Rentals&id=272040

Rental Cars: Do You Make This Costly Car Rental Mistake?

Doesn't it seem confusing sometimes just to get a rental car? There seems to be so much paperwork and so many decisions to make.

For example, should you get the collision damage waiver or not? Should you buy additional insurance coverage from the car rental company?

If you've ever watched people at the rental car counter, you know these are questions that most people struggle with. Sometimes you can decline additional insurance on car rentals, but there are specific instances that you should always buy the insurance. But how do you know?

One of the biggest areas of confusion is the Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) offered by the car rental company at the time of rental. It covers damage to the rental car if you are involved in an accident.

The CDW isn't exactly insurance, and it only covers only damage to the rental car. It doesn't cover property damage or personal injury. If CDW is purchased, the car rental company waives some or all of its right to gain from you for physical damages to the car.

So should you purchase the CDW the car rental agency pushes at you? Experts say that most people don't need it but purchase it anyway. This is a very costly mistake!

You can save yourself a lot of hassle and unnecessary cost by doing three things. First, check your own car insurance policy to see what coverage carries over to rental cars. Second, see if the credit card you are using offers any coverage for renting. And finally, check the options the car rental agency offers in its own policies.

Many car insurance policies include all-inclusive and collision coverage to damages to rental cars. There is no sense paying for more if your policy includes this coverage, right? Just verify the details with your insurance agent before you decline the car rental company's additional insurance options.

Typical car insurance policies provide liability coverage that extends to car rentals. If you injure someone in an accident while driving a rental car, your policy will often cover you. If your car insurance policy does not provide these coverages when you are driving car rentals, be sure to purchase additional insurance from the car rental company to protect yourself.

In addition, many credit cards offer coverage for rental cars. If your credit card includes coverage for car rentals that have been damaged in an accident, you don't need to buy any other additional insurance coverage the car rental company offers you.

Finally, read the car rental policy carefully and decide whether or not your car insurance or credit card covers you. Then discuss the car rental's coverage with the agent. Always make an informed decision. Don't give into pressure by the car rental agent.

Deciding whether or not to pay for additional insurance coverage the car rental companies offer can be a tough decision. Check with your credit cards and existing car insurance policy to see if they provide rental car provisions, and if they don't, you'd better consider spending the extra money for additional insurance for your own protection.

You shouldn't pay for anything that you really don't need! On the other hand, you don't want to have inadequate coverage in the event of an accident with rental ca

Source:-http://ezinearticles.com/?Rental-Cars:-Do-You-Make-This-Costly-Car-Rental-Mistake?&id=269778

Biodiesel Fuel

What is biodiesel fuel?

Biodiesel is a fuel that is made from soy beans, or waste vegetable oil(cooking oil). It can be used in place of petroleum diesel fuel for vehicles or heating oil for buildings. Unlike petroleum diesel, biodiesel is a renewable resource, and it creates less pollution than petroleum diesel. It can be used alone or in combination with petroleum diesel, or with heating oil. Generally, no expensive modifications to the engines are required. This makes it easier to integrate biodiesel into current systems than other alternative energy sources, which often require new equipment.

How is biodiesel made?

Biodiesel fuel is made from oils or fats, which are both hydrocarbons, most commonly soybean oil. These hydrocarbons are filtered, then mixed with an alcohol, which is usually methanol, and a catalyst (sodium or potassium hydroxide). The major products of this reaction are the biodiesel fuel, which is an ester, and glycerol, which has commercial uses, such as in cosmetics.

How is biodiesel labeled?

Biodiesel is designated by the letter B and a number representing the percent of the fuel that is biodiesel. The rest of the fuel is petroleum diesel. For example, a mixture of 20% biodiesel and 80% petroleum diesel would be labeled B20. This ratio of biodiesel to petroleum diesel is commonly used.

What are the advantages of biodiesel fuel?

• Biodiesel fuel is a renewable energy source that can be made from soy beans grown for fuel, or from cooking oils recycled from restaurants. This means it is a renewable resource unlike petroleum-based diesel.
• There is an excess production of soybeans in the New Zealand, therefore biodiesel is an economic way to utilize this surplus.
• Biodiesel is less polluting than petroleum diesel. Compared to petroleum diesel, biodiesel produces less soot (particulate matter), carbon monoxide, unburned hydrocarbons, and sulfur dioxide.
• The absence of sulfur in 100% biodiesel should extend the life of catalytic converters.
• Biodiesel fuel can also be used in combination with heating oil to heat residential and industrial buildings. This can reduce dependence on non-renewable and increasingly expensive heating oil.
• Biodiesel fuel can generally be used in existing oil heating systems and diesel engines without modification, and it can be distributed through existing diesel fuel pumps. This is an advantage over other alternative fuels, which can be expensive to use initially due to high cost of equipment modifications or new purchases. Biodiesel provides almost the same energy per gallon as petroleum diesel.
• The lubricating effects of the biodiesel may extend the lifetime of engines.

What are the disadvantages of biodiesel fuel?

• Biodiesel is currently about one and a half times more expensive than petroleum diesel fuel. Part of this cost is because the most common source of oil is the soybean, which only is only 20% oil. However, the costs of biodiesel can be reduced by making biodiesel from recycled cooking oils rather than from new soy beans, or by making it from plant matter with higher oil content.
• It takes energy to produce biodiesel fuel from soy crops, including the energy of sowing, fertilizing and harvesting.
• Biodiesel fuel can damage rubber hoses in some engines, particularly in cars built before 1994. You should check with the manufacturer before using biodiesel to see if you need to replace any hoses or rubber seals.
• Biodiesel cleans the dirt from the engine. This dirt then collects in the fuel filter, which can clog it. Clogging occurs most often when biodiesel is first used after a period of operation with petroleum diesel, so filters should be changed after the first several hours of biodiesel use.
• Biodiesel is not distributed as widely as traditional, petroleum diesel, but distribution infrastructure is improving.

Auckland truck rentals, offer the customers to use their bio diesel vehicles for their travelling purposes.

Source:- http://www.cpast.org/Articles/fetch.adp?topicnum=61

Planning a Car Rental

With rising gas prices, driving causes more headaches than it used to. When traveling, though, you may need to rely on a car rental. There are ways to save money if you plan well. Next time you're looking for a quality, affordable car rental auckland, consider the following:

1. A car rental at the airport sometimes costs more than at a nearby agency. Compare prices ahead of time; it may be worth taking a taxi a few miles to pick up the vehicle at a different rental location.

2. Choose a no-frills car rental. Many less-luxurious cars get better mileage.

3. Car rental agencies usually have better deals on compact cars. If you don't need the space, why pay for it? Compact cars also get better mileage.

4. A car rental is usually more costly if you pick up the vehicle at one location and drop it off at another. However, consider the price of returning to the original locale. Is it cheaper to pay for the gas or for the drop-off? This might sway your decision a little.

5. Car rental agencies offer prepaid fill-ups when you return the vehicle. Compare their costs with the gas pump prices and decide ahead of time which is a better deal.

6. A weekly car rental usually costs less than paying for five or six days alone. If you're staying just under a week, you may want to pay this rate and return the car early.

7. Avoid purchasing insurance from the car rental company if possible. Many credit cards cover car rental insurance; in the event of collision or theft you'll be taken care of. Check your credit card agreement ahead of time.

8. Save the extra driver cost by choosing a designated driver. Some car rental agencies charge more to add a driver.

9. Look for car rental coupons in travel magazines or an Entertainment book. Agencies also give discounts to AAA and AARP members. Be sure to inquire about available deals.

Keeping these factors in mind before your car rental, you can save a substantial amount of money. Shop wisely, and know before you go!

Source:- http://ezinearticles.com/?Planning-a-Car-Rental&id=69122