How to Choose the Perfect Rental Cars in India?
In India, the car rental industry has been growing day by day in the last ten years and is expected to continue its significant growth in the near future. Self-driving vehicles are becoming a more popular and exciting concept in India, especially in urban areas. Nowadays, many people prefer to hire a car to explore their dream destinations instead of opting for trains, buses, or flights. The primary intention for this is quite obviously the flexibility and easy convenience that self-driving rental cars offer are unmatched by any other public transportation. As a result, the car rental market is entering an exciting phase. The sector has observed tremendous growth in the last ten years and is expected to continue on its significant increase in the near future; according to the latest research conducted by Vehicle Type, the overall car rental market revenue in India will grow at a healthy clip to touch INR 900 billion by 2023. This growth can be attributed to the drastic change in the country’s economic scenario, the growth of travel & tourism, improved infrastructure in terms of roads and highways, and rapid technological development in recent years.
Why Should You Choose Car Rental?
For Example, you own a car, but you drive it for only 100 days a year. But, you have to pay for the whole year. On the other hand, once you rent a car and use it for only 20 days, with 5-6 hours per day, you only have to pay the amount for that amount of time you rented.
Another major factor is that car ownership includes high-interest rates that make four-wheeler financing expensive, undulated Indian roads, and nightmarish parking conditions in the major Indian cities. Even monthly renting of cars is much cheaper than owning a car, for that matter.
There are also personal styles of living lifestyles involved in owning or leasing a car. People who want to drive a brand new car go for rented vehicles every time. Likewise, getting a car loan is still the biggest challenge for many people in India, making leasing a vehicle feasible.
Rental Cars in India From a Licensed Service
Before renting a car, do some research by yourself to ensure that you book a self-drive car from a government-licensed service. Go online and check whether the rental agency is legit by checking out their website, reading Google reviews of previous clients, and checking the options available for rental. And pick a rental car service which provides an excellent service over choosing a cheap one. This way, you can save a lot of time, money and need not worry when you are out on the road.
Choose the Rental Cars in India That Fits You
Select a rental car based on your choice of a road trip, regardless of planning a weekend getaway to the beach, going off-roading on hilly roads, or taking a leisurely holiday destination trip in India. The prices vary for different types and models of cars, and it can significantly impact your budget. Thus, diesel cars for long journeys are a sensible choice, while a comfy hatchback or even a luxurious sedan can help you out in traffic during intra-city travel.
Know About the Hidden Costs
When you make a car booking, a few things like insurance, security deposit, damages, etc., can raise the basic rent. It is essential to read all the terms & conditions, check liabilities in case of an accident, and compare rates and tariffs to confirm that you’re being charged the right rental price. If you are not careful, you may spend more than you expected. In case of over-speeding or breaking suddenly (many rental cars in India have innovative technology sensors for that now), you can also lose your security deposit.
Try to Get at Right Price
A rental car is charged hourly, daily, weekly, and monthly, but prices tend to drop during the weekends! Prices can differ significantly depending upon whether the car one chooses with fuel or without. The with-fuel option would be more expensive in terms of cost per kilometer, whereas, in the without-fuel plan, the customer will bear the cost of fuel but won’t have to worry about how many kilometers they are driving. The best way to decide which one to go for is to know the distance you want to cover. If you have a lot on your mind, it may be best to choose the without-fuel plan. Rental plans that include fuel expenses are better for people seeking a car to travel within the city.
Check if Any Damages in the Car
Don’t be in a hurry to drive! Check the self-drive rental cars in India thoroughly for any damages & dents, both inside and the outside. Click pictures of the vehicle from various angles on your phone to keep as evidence and if there are any visible damages, make sure the car service notes it down before closing the car booking. Ask for details like oil level, mileage, age, availability of 24/7 roadside assistance, etc., and check the fuel level before taking over the car. Check the parts like brake, engine, lights and confirm that a spare tire and Stepney jack are there in the car. Take these measures to guarantee that you’re driving in a safe and reliable vehicle.
Make Sure You Have Your Documents to Rent a Car
Here is a checklist of all the documents you will need before starting your trip:
- Original Driving License
- Registration Certificate (RC)
- Tax Receipt
- Fitness Certificate
- Authorization Letter From RTO
- Valid Insurance Copy
- Rent A Cab License Copy.
- Aadhar Card or PAN card
- Rental Agreement- Signed and Dated
- Insurance- Third-party (minimum), accident coverage, etc.
- Current PUC
Most of the above documents, such as (RC, insurance, permits, etc.) are provided by the rental agency at your booking. You only need your Aadhaar Card and Original Driving License to make a booking.
Remember to read the rental agreement carefully before signing it and ride with the above mandatory documents.
Best Self Car Rental Service Providing Sites
Here are some of the best car rental companies in India providing affordable rental services:
- Zoomcar
- Onroadz Rental
- Royalpicks
- MyChoize
- Revv
- SmileCars
- IndusGo