Business Travel - Drive Your Own Luxury Car or Rent One

I have a good friend who has a very nice Maserati which he leases, as he uses it for business. Of course, he also travels to nearby states each year to speak with his distributors, but he doesn't take his luxury car because he doesn't want to put all those miles on it, or subject it to some of the locations he will travel to. Therefore, he rents a car instead. Since he has so many stops all together, it doesn't make sense to fly to each location, and he also needs to take samples with him, and a variety of other things.

Okay so, does this make sense, should you drive your own luxury car on a business trip which might last several weeks to many states? It's hard to say what your exact situation is, but I'd like you to please consider three items;

1. Costs

2. Add-On Extras

3. Business Associates Perception

You must consider the cost of renting the vehicle versus the cost of putting that wear and tear on your own car. Chances are you'd be better off with a rent a car. Still, if you are going to rent a car, there are things you need to know such as; what are the extra add-on costs?

I had recently talk to a gentleman who owns a body shop, and he told me that every time one of his clients would go to rent a vehicle at the local rental car agency to rent a car, the rental salesperson would try to sell them extra insurance in case of sandblasting because out here in the desert the wind can whip up occasionally causing paint damage. This is a very common extra add-on, one which you might want to think twice about, but you need to understand the risks.

On August 5, 2012 the LA Times had an interesting article titled "Puzzled by Damage Claim" by Catherine Hamm, where a reader writes in to explain a horror story of a rent-a-car company that charged them for hail damage which occurred after the car had actually been returned, and signed off as received.

Even if something isn't your fault, and there is damage to the car, sometimes the rental agency will try to pin it on you. I suppose the same occurs if you drive a luxury car and are leasing that car, and go to turn it in. What you might consider normal wear and tear, they might charge you for as part of the lease agreement. Whatever decision you eventually make, you need to go in with your eyes open on this. Therefore I ask that you please consider it all.

Luxury Car Rentals - Be Mindful of Hidden Charges

When you come across a luxury car hire deal which seems simply out of the world, think twice before availing it. Even when the announced price is low, you may end up paying more due to the various hidden charges. There are many luxury car rental companies who do not reveal these charges to their customers and the final bill can often be surprising. Below are some hidden charges you need to be aware of before you hire a luxury car.

>Sales tax

The rates advertised by a rental company could exclude taxes. Thus, be prepared to pay additional fees towards sales tax. The quantum of tax varies according to the country or state where you would be hiring your luxury car. Sales tax often ranges between 10 to 25 percent. Taxes cannot be avoided. But nevertheless, you would not be astonished about it when you clearly ask your rental agent whether the hiring rates they have announced are exclusive or inclusive of taxes.

>Airport fees

If you hire a rental car company at the airport, you might have to pay additional airport fees. The fees usually cover customer facility rates, drop off and pick up charges and discount recovery fees. You can avert the airport fees when you hire a luxury car from a rental agency which is not associated to the airport in any way.

>Rental insurance

Car insurance is normally not covered within the rental charges. The commonest insurance coverage levied while hiring a luxury car rental is accidental damage. By paying more towards insurance, you could evade financial troubles if the car gets damaged. You can also avoid paying more for insurance, should you personal indemnity cover you regardless of whether you are traveling in a hired vehicle.

>Gas

Clear out fuel or gas issues with the rental agency prior to hiring a vehicle. Sometime you might be required to pay extra charges if you return the vehicle with a vacant fuel tank. If the need arises, refill the fuel tank before you return the car to your rental agency.

>Underage driver charges

While some companies refuse to let out cars to drivers who are below 25 years of age, many others would not rent their vehicles to those under 21. These often come at an extra cost. Besides, several luxury car rental agencies insist on an international license while renting a vehicle outside the country where your driving license was issued.

>Car accessories

Add-ons with a luxury car usually attract added charges. Accessories like ski racks, GPRS tracking systems, car or cellular phones and a roof rack could be added onto a vehicle. You can also ask the rental agency to fit a child car seat for enhanced safety of your child.

Before you hire a vehicle from a luxury car rental company, make sure that you know the final price you have to pay. Insist on putting every detail on paper so that the agency has no scope to throw surprises when you return the vehicle.