Safety is rarely necessarily a priority for Jackson Groves when renting a car. No wonder: did the rental company take good care of the car?Are there any recalls of the vehicle? Has it been cleaned and disinfected very well?
But lately, Groves says he’s learned that car rental companies are thinking about safety and are doing anything, too.
“This summer, I was pleasantly surprised to notice new security-focused features that rental companies seem to be implementing,” he says.
For example, one of their rentals came with a built-in speed camera that constantly monitored the road ahead. It could automatically send telematics information to the rental company if it had to brake suddenly or if it detected a collision. It also had an SOS button.
“I felt reassured knowing that if something went wrong, assistance could be called at the touch of a button,” says Groves, an outdoor photographer.
If you are a typical traveler, you also don’t pay much attention to protecting your rental car. But Groves is right.
Car rental companies are thinking about safety, and perhaps more systematically than ever before. And there are also some practical steps you can take to ensure you reach your destination safely.
It’s true that car rental companies are taking protection more seriously than ever. Take enterprise mobility, for example. The company, which owns the Alamo, Enterprise and National brands, has had a popular car plan for years. The most prominent improvement came during the pandemic, when it pledged to disinfect all of its vehicles after each rental using industrial-grade products.
Enterprise recently introduced a new, more detailed standard of care to advise its rental agencies and ensure the maintenance of its vehicles. The standards come with a promise to meet or exceed the manufacturer’s consulting lines for tire replacement and oil adjustments and visual examination of the vehicle before renting it.
“Maintaining loyal acceptance of our brands has been key to our success,” says Will Withington, senior vice president of North American operations at Enterprise Mobility. “We are constantly innovating. “
By the way, the SOS button also makes its way. At Vamos Rent-A-Car in Costa Rica, drivers get a free mobile phone to make emergency calls with their vehicle.
“We find that renters feel safer when they know one of our representatives or emergencies are nearby,” says Alex Villalobos, director of operations for Vamos Rent-A-Car. (Also, having a phone for emergency calls is convenient when you don’t have a calling plan for your phone in Costa Rica. )
But experts say there are other protective measures that can be taken besides renting from a reputable car rental agency.
Car rental companies may talk more about safety, but how do you know if your next vehicle is safe?
You can start by checking out the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s recall database. If your rental car is listed, request another vehicle. Make sure lighting fixtures are a must, such as the battery, brakes, and fluid levels. they are all green. ” You also need to make sure that the rental car has some emergency items, such as jump cables, an ice scraper, and a first aid kit,” adds Erin Stender, Campspot’s marketing manager.
Perform a visual inspection of your car before taking it off the lot. Note any damage, such as scratches, dings, or dents. “Be sure to have an inspection form with all damages indexed before leaving the rental location. ” advises Louis DellaPenna, president of United Van Rentals. “Make sure the correct mileage and fuel level are indexed on the form. Your rental company will need to provide the renter with a report on the condition of the vehicle with all damages indicated, as well as the mileage traveled and fuel point “If the damage is serious or affects proper operation, ask for another car.
It’s unexpected that few car rental consumers take even a few moments to familiarize themselves with a new vehicle, says Robert Walden, editor of the auto repair blog Vehicle Freak. “This can lead to misuse or underuse of these vital technologies,” he says. Some tenants also don’t notice warning lights or alerts that indicate a safety device is not working properly. “And despite the recalls, I still see passengers not wearing seat belts, which undermines the effectiveness of protective devices such as airbags,” he adds. In other words, don’t be in such a hurry to leave your car rental agency. Take a moment and see if you can drive the vehicle sensibly and ask questions if you can’t.
For the most part, car rental companies do a very smart job of keeping your cars safe and running smoothly. I get court cases about unsafe or broken down cars, but they’re rare. The real danger probably isn’t what you’re driving, yet where.
“Driving a vehicle in a foreign country can be a high-risk activity,” says Harding Bush, associate director of security operations at Global Rescue. “You should not drive in countries or regions at risk. “
And where is it? The Dominican Republic, Zimbabwe and Venezuela top the list of countries with the highest number of traffic accidents. I’ve lived in several of those high-risk countries, and Bush is right. I wouldn’t rent a car or drive to some of those places for any amount of money.
By the way, the United States is at the bottom of the list, with about 12 deaths per 100,000 motorists. If you want to have the safest driving experience, check out Iceland, Norway, or Singapore.
After all, car rental safety is a two-way street. As companies up their game with new technologies and strict protocols, it’s up to you to stay vigilant. So the next time you show up at the rental counter, don’t just pick up the keys and leave. Inspect your vehicle and familiarize yourself with its features. Your life may depend on it.
A community. Many voices. Create a free account to share your thoughts.
Our network aims to connect other people through open and thoughtful conversations. We need our readers to share their perspectives and exchange ideas and facts in one space.
To do so, please comply with the posting regulations in our site’s terms of use. We summarize some of those key regulations below. In short, civilians.
Your message will be rejected if we realize that it seems to contain:
User accounts will be blocked if we become aware or if users are concerned about:
So, how can you be a user?
Thank you for reading our Community Guidelines. Read the full list of publishing regulations discovered in our site’s terms of use.