Things to Know About Renting a Car in Uganda or East Africa.
From booking & pick-up to drop-off, here are the keys to a low-stress and wallet-friendly rental experience
The last thing you want is a headache when you’re on vacation. But renting a car can be downright exhausting sometimes. Not only are you driving in a new place, but between comparing prices, gasping out hidden fees, and navigating the complexities of insurance, the stress can set in even before you even hit the road. With a little preparation and a few thoughtful tips, the rental process doesn’t have to drive you up the barrier. Here are five critical things to know:
Remember to reserve/book early.
Having a sense of market trends and setting realistic expectations can help to save you a lot of getting pressure down the line.
May to October months are the peak period for Self-drive and rental operators, and on top of that, we’re going through what some travel veterans consider a striking ground travel dynamic with sky-high demand. Make a reservation in advance as soon as you are thinking of traveling to East Africa and are interested in self-drive.
Four weeks out is a solid criterion. For the most part, there is no cancellation penalty if your plans change, though there are exceptions.
Know the ins and outs of insurance
You may be amazed to find that your existing auto coverage sometimes, typically extends to your rental.
Check your auto, credit card, and umbrella liability insurance policies before renting a car, noting that universal and liability coverage typically stretches to rental cars. When you’re using a credit card to pay for the car, brush up on the benefits, some cards have built-in insurance for cardholders.
Dodge the surcharges.
If only one person can drive, that’s the route to go. You’ll save money by steering clear of additional-driver surcharges. If possible, be sure the driver is older than 21 to avoid a daily underage surcharge.
Before you drive the car, take photos of the car and the company too will take them to avoid holding you accountable for the damage you didn’t cause. And also take a good look at the fuel measure and once the journey’s complete, refuel the car to its original level to avoid hefty refilling fees.
In the event of an accident.
Even though no driver wants to think about this possibility, being prepared for such a scenario ahead of time can save you from distress later on. First, make sure everyone’s okay. Exchange contact information with the other driver involved, take pictures, notify the company of the incident and also call 911 to file a police report. Then later on contact our company and file a claim with your insurance provider right away, especially if your insurer is your credit card company. This is an important step, as delayed claims are sometimes denied.
