Contact a car rental agency by phone, online or in person. Contacting your preferred car rental agency via its official website may be faster, however. Alternatively, visit websites, such as Expedia.com, Orbitz.com or Priceline.com who have most of the major car agencies listed in one location, making it easier for you to rent a car.
Provide your pick-up and drop-off locations. Use a city and state, zip code or airport code. Typically these locations are the same. Choose a pick-up and drop-off location that is convenient to your home or business.
Provide your pick-up and drop-off dates and times. Determine whether you need to rent a car for a day, for a week or long term.
Choose your car size. Although car rental classes may vary slightly among car rental agencies, the general car rental classes are economy, compact, intermediate, standard, full-size, premium and luxury. In addition, you may rent a minivan, pickup truck or sport utility vehicle at some car rental agencies.
Inquire about rental car insurance. If you already own a car, ask your insurance company if rental car coverage is available. Otherwise, you will pay an additional fee to get coverage from the rental car agency.
Reserve your car. Provide your name exactly as it appears on your driver's license. Pay for your rental car. If you rent a car from Expedia.com, Orbitz.com or Priceline.com, you will have to prepay for your car rental. If you have rented your car directly from the car rental agency, you do not have to prepay, and your reservation is complete.
