What is important to know when receiving or returning a rental car

The car rental market in Israel is developing at an accelerated pace, and the demand for rental cars is only increasing over the years. There are quite a few players in the car rental market, but most customers prefer to rent the car from a large and well-known company that has an excellent reputation, a wide spread of branches, a large and diverse fleet of vehicles, a 24/7 service center and a convenient and friendly website for ordering a rental car.

After a thorough market survey and comparing car rental costs in Israel, it is easier to choose the company that suits us. After choosing the car rental company, you can place an online order on the convenient and user-friendly website, and at this point we must specify the rental period, from which branch we would like to pick up the car and where to return it, the type of car and, depending on the need, we can add to the order equipment required for us, such as a canopy, a safety seat for a baby or a child , navigation system, Bluetooth hands-free and more.

What to check when handing over the rented car?

The point of collection and return of the vehicle - it is important to check in advance where the branches of the car rental company are located, and if you wish to return the vehicle at a different branch, you must make sure in advance that the company allows this. You usually have to physically come to the branch to rent the car and sign the documents, but there are companies that offer home delivery service. If you wish to return the vehicle at another branch, make sure that the company allows this.

Operating hours - on the website you can check what the company's operating hours are, and it is important to arrive on time and not late to pick up the vehicle.

Price comparison - car rental prices vary from company to company, so you should be smart consumers and carry out a market survey and price comparison in order to make a correct and considered decision. By the way, you should not refer only to the cheapest price, since additional parameters such as equipment, insurance, service quality and availability, ancillary equipment, vehicle maintenance, variety of vehicles that the company offers and more must be checked. It is better to pay a few shekels more and enjoy a new and safer vehicle and the service of a leading and reliable company, without unnecessary headaches.

A thorough inspection of the vehicle before leaving the branch - just before receiving the key and setting off, the vehicle must be inspected externally and internally together with a representative of the company. It is important to thoroughly inspect the vehicle and make sure that the company representative marks the defects discovered during the inspection, such as scratches, bends in the metal, damage to the mirrors, broken headlights, etc. Also, you should take the vehicle for a spin and make sure the engine and systems are in good condition, including the air conditioner and radio.

Thorough reading of the car rental contract - do not rush at this stage and it is important to read the fine print carefully and refer to key issues such as rental conditions, payment, participation fees, insurance coverage, cleaning and fuel filling costs, repairs and more.

What to check when returning the rented car?

Fulfill the conditions for returning the vehicle - it is important to return the vehicle in accordance with the requirements specified in the contract, for example a full fuel tank, thorough cleaning and more (the conditions vary from company to company). Also, the rented vehicle must be returned on time and according to the hours of operation at the branch. Late return of the vehicle incurs an additional fee.

Accompany the company representative during an inspection after returning the vehicle - after returning the vehicle at the end of the rental period, a representative from the company performs a thorough inspection and it is very important to accompany him and not stay in the air-conditioned office. At the end of the inspection and as long as the vehicle is in good condition, you must get a copy of the document and keep it. 

Return a clean vehicle with a full tank and no personal equipment - it is advisable to return the vehicle after washing, of course with a full gas tank, and it is important to perform an inspection and make sure that you do not leave a wallet, personal equipment and other items.