Posts Tagged ‘germany’

Online Car Loans

Car loans nowadays have never been so easy since the emergence of internet. Looking at the previous scenarios, people tend to waste time and money looking for the best car deals through newspapers, magazines and TV ads. Now, you can see hundreds of banks, lending institutions that are operating online and they compete tightly with each other leading to increasing of lender’s advantage like low interest rates and other privileges.

Even people who are not Computer geeks can just simply browse the internet and search for car loans deal. To get the best service, it is always wise to enter the most secured lending and bank website. This is also important to avoid being scammed. Here are tips for you:

  • Make a list of lending websites/banks

You may be overwhelmed for the many site options on the web. To make it easier, make a list of the websites that you think have the best deals based on interest rates and based on promos and other benefits.

  • Are they secured? Visit Review Sites

You shouldn’t believe everything you see on the internet, but it doesn’t mean that there aren’t secured sites out there. To make sure that everything info you put are secured and the website is trusted, it’s always a great option to read reviews and feedbacks about them. You can visit discussion boards wherein, real and actual clients will comment on their service and they may even relate their experiences on the car loans.

Online car loans gives you also the benefit to monitor your expenses, the total payment you already paid, and the remaining balance left for you to pay. This way, you’ll have a clear cut of where your money goes and allows you to prepare your money ahead before the due date comes. Just make sure to choose the best lending websites on the internet.

Some people prefer renting a car instead of buying one, their main reason is they will upgrade anyway in a couple of years. In Europe there are a lot of rental car companies that offers these, Mietwagen in Germany where it is very popular, Autohuur in Netherlands and finally Location de voiture in France

Debit Cards and Car Rentals

If you plan to rent a car and do not have a credit card but a debit card, you may want to seriously consider obtaining a credit card first if possible. Lots of people are trying to avoid credit cards and the debt they can rack up, but when it comes to car rentals, having a credit card can make things easier.  In fact, even if you plan to ultimately pay for your rental car with cash, the rental agency will want to swipe a credit card in advance. Some car rental agencies don’t accept debit cards as payment, and some do. With the ones that do, there are usually catches. One is, they may charge a higher rate.

Additionally, the company will put a hold on the debit card that may be as much as $500, freezing the money in your account for a period that my last up to three to five days after turning in the car. Some companies put a hold on the cost of the rental plus $200. They may also do an instant credit check on you before renting a car.  Generally, in the United States, if you are 25 or older, you can reserve a car with a debit card as long as it has the MasterCard or Visa logo. You may well face some “red tape” with the transaction. Even with companies that say they accept debit cards, not all locations of that company may accept them. You’ll usually be asked for another form of ID, like a passport, current utility bill, or your airline ticket.

With a debit card, you may not have the option of renting a luxury car, specialty vehicle (like a convertible) or an SUV. If you want to pay by debit card, your best bet may be to present a valid credit card at check-in and then pay by debit card when you turn in the car. That should minimize the “hold” time placed on your funds.  For those who want to rent a car and pay with a debit card, call ahead to the specific branch from which you will be renting and ask what their debit card policy is.

Tips for Saving Money on Car Rentals

Depending on the specific company and destination, car rental rates can vary widely. You can do a lot to keep your rates for car rentals as low as possible. One of the main things you can do to prevent nasty surprises when it’s time to pay is to ask what their gas return policy is. Some companies want you to return the car with the gas tank full, and others want you to return it empty.

If you fill up and then return it to a company that wants it empty, then you’ve just bought them a tank of gas. If you return a car with a tank that’s not full and the rental company wants it full, you will be charged a ridiculous amount per gallon to top up the tank. There’s no reason to buy into their offerings that let you “lock in” a gas price upon return. Just find out whether they want the tank empty or full and do that.

When you compare prices online for car rentals, be sure to check the reservations page so you can find out what you’ll be charged in taxes, and various “fees” because these can turn what looks like a spectacular deal into something far less special. This is especially true when you see amazingly good daily or weekly rates advertised. If you have the option of renting at someplace other than the airport, do so. Very often you’ll be charged an “airport fee” which they charge basically because they can. If you’re traveling by air, you may be able to catch an airport shuttle into town where you can rent a car for less.

Finally, when it comes to the insurance that they will try to sell you at the counter, understand that they are playing on your free floating anxiety and your desire to get the transaction over with. They may tell you the story of an insurance loophole that a recent renter’s insurance didn’t cover or something similar. Before renting, talk to your car insurer and ask whether your regular car insurance covers rentals as well. Chances are it does, and it can save you big when it’s time to rent a car. But always call first to be sure.