Bring plastic, not paper. Car rental agencies do not accept cash as a rule. You will need more than enough room on your credit card to cover your car rental. Even if the car is just $20 per day, the car rental agency can authorize a considerable amount of money to cover incidental charges. These charges can include gasoline, going over the allotted miles and potential damage. The hold on this money will not be reversed until you return the vehicle according to the terms of the contract. If you use a debit card, these funds will immediately come out of your bank account, and may not be available to you for weeks. Ideally, you should use a credit card. Make sure that it is your own credit or debit card, as most car rental companies do not allow third-party rentals. Furthermore, most rental car companies do not accept prepaid credit cards. Make sure you ask the reservations agent before the scheduled pickup date.
Bring your valid driver's license when you pick up your car. The car rental company needs to confirm your identity in case the car is not returned in the condition or time frame stated in the contract. Car rental agencies also need to verify that you are old enough to rent a car. If you plan on adding additional drivers to the contract, be sure they bring their driver's licenses as well.
Always purchase the company's rental insurance for a short-term rental. It is true that your private, full-coverage insurance will pay for any damages to the rental car while you are driving it. But if you are covered by the rental company's product, they will pay for all of the damages AND your own insurance company will not know about the accident. If you are renting the car for an extended period of time, use your own insurance. The insurance from the rental company is not cheap, and in the long term your own insurance will serve you better. If you happen to be in an accident, your insurance company will be notified and your premium will go up.
