What Should You Pay Attention to When Renting a Car in the United States?

Car rental ads in the United States often show a very low "daily rate," but the final bill may also include taxes and fees, airport surcharges, insurance, young driver fees, additional driver fees, tolls, and fuel charges. When truly comparing prices, look at the post-tax Total, not just the number on the first page.

1. What documents do you need to rent a car?

In general, you need:

A valid driver's license;

A credit card or an eligible Debit Card;

A passport or other proof of identification;

The minimum age required by the rental car company.

Whether a Chinese driver's license is accepted depends on the rental car company and the state. Some companies require an English translation or an International Driving Permit. An IDP itself is not a driver's license and must be used together with the original driver's license.

Drivers under age 25 are often charged a Young Driver Fee, and some vehicle classes may also be unavailable to younger drivers.

2. Check the total cost before booking

You should confirm:

Whether mileage is limited;

Whether there is a one-way return fee;

Whether the airport location charges a surcharge;

Whether a second driver is included;

Cancellation and No-Show rules;

Whether taxes and fees are already displayed;

Whether the vehicle category is a "guaranteed model" or "or similar."

Rental car companies usually guarantee only the vehicle class, not a specific brand or model.

3. Should you buy insurance?

Common products at the rental car counter include:

CDW or LDW: Collision Damage Waiver or Loss Damage Waiver. It is usually a waiver arrangement by the rental car company for liability related to vehicle damage or theft. It is not necessarily traditional insurance, and it does not cover the driver's bodily injury or personal belongings.

Liability Coverage: Coverage for liability arising from bodily injury or property damage to third parties.

Personal Accident Insurance: Partial medical or accident coverage for the driver and passengers.

Personal Effects Coverage: Coverage for personal belongings inside the vehicle.

The FTC notes that CDW/LDW mainly addresses damage to the rental vehicle and does not automatically cover personal injury or property loss. Some credit cards also provide rental car collision coverage, but they usually require the cardholder to use that card to pay the full rental charge and decline the rental car company's CDW.

Before using credit card insurance, confirm whether it is Primary or Secondary, whether it covers tires and glass, towing, Loss of Use, certain vehicle types, and international rentals. Do not rely only on a friend's statement that "my credit card covers everything."

4. Always take photos when picking up the car

Before leaving the parking lot, take photos of:

All sides of the vehicle;

The tires and wheels;

The windshield;

The roof and bumpers;

The interior;

The dashboard mileage and fuel level.

If you find scratches, dents, or warning lights, ask an employee to record them in the Vehicle Condition Report. If you only have phone photos but did not notify the staff, you may still need to explain the issue if a dispute arises.

5. How should you choose a fuel plan?

Common options include:

Full-to-Full: Pick up the car with a full tank and refill it yourself before returning it;

Prepaid Fuel: Buy a full tank of fuel in advance;

Refueling by the rental car company: The per-unit price is usually higher.

For most short-term rentals, Full-to-Full is more transparent. Before returning the car, refuel near the rental location and keep the receipt. Do not put diesel in a gasoline car, and do not ignore the fuel level because you are rushing to catch a flight.

6. How are tolls handled?

Many states use electronic tolling. The rental car company may offer a Toll Package, or it may charge a daily administrative fee for the entire rental period after a single toll transaction occurs. Ask in advance how tolls are charged, especially in areas with many toll roads, such as New York, New Jersey, Florida, and Texas.

Do not remove the electronic toll device in the vehicle yourself.

7. What should you do if there is an accident?

First make sure everyone is safe, and call 911 if necessary. Then notify the police, the rental car company, and the insurance provider. Record the other party's vehicle, driver's license, insurance, photos of the scene, and witness information. Do not admit liability on your own or settle a serious accident privately in cash.

Keep the final receipt after returning the car. If you choose an after-hours Drop-Off, take photos again of the vehicle, fuel level, mileage, and key drop-off location. Renting a car may seem simple, but insurance, fees, and evidence management determine who bears the loss after a problem occurs.