It’s true that having your own vehicle gives you freedom. When you travel by air, it is almost essential to rent a car in order to get around once you arrive at your destination. Even when visiting family or friends it’s nice to have your own transportation in order not to rely on others for your basic transportation needs. If you are taking a road trip you may want to rent a car in order to save on the maintenance of your own car or to get better gas mileage. It doesn’t really matter what the reason is for renting a car, the point is that you will need one at some point. When you do go looking for a car to rent, keep in mind the following five tips to save money.

1. Shop Independent

This is an easy tip to remember. For independence on the road, choose an independent car rental company. Smaller, local businesses will be able to offer cheaper rates than the national rental brands. While the national car rental companies rely on their names to get you in the door, the local rental companies rely more on good service and great prices. They will not have quite the selection of a larger company, but the independent guys do have plenty of options. Unless you really need a specific car, you will almost always be able to find an appropriate vehicle at a lower price from the independent car rental company. Count on great personalized service too.

2. Beware of Airports

There is a high price to pay for convenience. Even though there are car rental companies lined up down the airport road, you will benefit from trying someone else. Since the independent car rental companies are less likely to be able to pay rent at such a prime location, you should look them up and ask about a free pickup. The pickup won’t always be available, but even if it isn’t, you’ll still probably get a better deal by shopping off the airport property.

3. Economy Class

They may not be the coolest ride you can find on the car rental lot, but economy cars will be a better way to go if you are trying to save a little money. The initial price as well as the ensuing taxes and insurance costs will be less than if you were to rent a sports car or SUV. If you are shopping short term and really want a long term test drive, go for the fancy cars. If you are really interested in the best deal for your money, look at the economy cars.

4. Gas Mileage

Another reason to shop for the small, economy cars is for the better gas mileage. You will have to buy the gas that you use in your rental car. If the tank is full when you take it, it should be full when you bring it back. Gas is not cheap and if you drive very far your rental bill could easily double or even triple. Using a small car will help you keep fuel costs under control and within reasonable limits.

5. Choosing Insurance

It’s always a debate about how much insurance to buy on a rental car. The odds change depending on the area in which you will spend most of your time in the car. If you’ll be in a well protected, nice neighborhood and on interstates, you’ll probably be fine without all but the basic coverage, so save the money. If you will be driving in someplace with a high rate of theft, choose full coverage to protect yourself from replacement costs. If you’ll be driving in and around lots of pot holes or on dirt and gravel roads, look into wheel insurance and or windshield insurance. You have to evaluate your situation and make an informed decision in order to get the insurance coverage correct.

Renting cars is a huge convenience and sometimes even a necessity. When you get to the place where you need to rent a car, remember to follow the guidelines listed here in order to save money.

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