• Consumers should do their homework before renting a car.car image by Muhammad Umair Tahir from Fotolia.com
  
  Renting a car allows you to travel in your own state or across the country without putting wear and tear on your own vehicle. Before selecting a car or rental company, you can learn different ways to save time and money. There are several steps you can follow to get the best out of your car rental, which can range from choosing the right car to reducing the possibility of theft.
  
  

Type of Vehicle

• Once you have decided on the type of journey you are making, such as a three-day weekend trip, Independent Traveler suggests researching which type of car you would prefer to rent. You can research the make and model of different cars. Identify any specific requirements you have for the car, including whether it has four doors, for example. If additional drivers will drive the car, ask the other drivers about their car preferences.
  
  

Cost of Vehicle

• Before shopping for a car rental, you should create a budget. This helps you know how much to spend on the rental and if you will go over your budget. Car Rental ABC advises reviewing different sites for potential car rental discounts. One option is checking consumer-reviewed travel sites, since you may obtain access to unadvertised car rental specials.
  
  

Booking the Car Rental

• You can book your car rental online or in person. Some car rental companies only give discounts when booking online. Independent Traveler explains that you can go online, enter the car rental company name and type "coupon code" for a list of promotions. If the car rental company has a toll-free telephone number, you can call them and verify current car rental prices.
  
  

Contact Your Car Insurance

• Some car rental companies require additional fees when booking your car. These fees can include rental coverage for car theft or damage, adding to your total bill. Find out whether you own car insurance company provides the same type of coverage. If you select the car rental company's coverage, you could pay unnecessary fees, so verify what is covered with your car rental.
  
  

Reduce Car Rental Theft

• As a traveler, you can take steps to reduce your car rental theft risks. Learn about your travel destination, such as the crime rate in the area. You should follow the same anti-theft precautions you would take with your own car. For instance, lock all car doors or windows. This keeps the rental car from becoming a car theft target.