One day, when I relocated to San Francisco for a project that was expected to last for half a year, the idea of owning a car seemed to be incredibly intimidating. High costs, that long-term commitment was just too frightening, maintenance worries—everything seemed to point in the wrong direction. And that is when someone I work with recommended the use of long-term car hire. All in all, at the beginning of the course, I had my doubts. Would not such a thing be extremely costly? Much to my astonishment, it transformed into a game-changer looming on the horizon.
They could research both the cost and value, and experience flexibility and freedom that were not present in ownership. Since then I made it a practice to rent cars for longer durations or extended car rental as they are commonly referred to. Curious about why? Before we go to the pros, let’s.
Lower Rates
At first, when I thought of leasing a car for a month in Houston I assumed that I would have to spend an arm and a leg. But I was so wrong! In the case of the work project that I had for three months, a regular rental per day would have been $50. Oh, $4,500 for 3 months, what a steep price! However, when I inquired about long-term rates, the situation shifted dramatically. Hertz also provided me with the same car for only $800 per month. Well, that is only $27 a day. I was amazed. They said that if the rental period was long then the rental price was also low. Even for my later six-month stay in Chicago, Budget offered me two months of free car rental. Always inquire about long-term discounts; this is because the amount of discount given is massive.
Flexible Swaps
When I was in Seattle, my need for a car changed frequently. Thus, when summer came, I decided that it would be great to have a cool convertible for weekend getaways. Then winter arrived and I required an SUV for skiing. With a normal rental, switching cars would be very expensive. But the long-term contract I have with Enterprise was a blessing. They allowed me to change between cars at any time with no additional charges. Thus, in July, I drove a fun Mustang whereas in December, I had a more substantial Jeep. So when it was spring I even attempted a mixture for a month. This flexibility was awesome—like having many cars without the hassle of owning them.
Reduced Commitment
The decision to buy a car for consulting in Denver felt like a gamble. What if my contract ended early? Or if I didn’t like the city? If I took a two-year loan, I would be trapped, until I discovered that Avis offered long-term car rentals. The best part? I could take the car back at any time without incurring extra charges. This freedom was perfect. When my project was taking longer than expected, I retained the car. But later on, I was given a sudden offer to work in Miami. No problem! I have just moved from Denver and rented a new house in Florida. This way I can be ready for any surprises that life presents to me without being bound to a particular location.
Included Maintenance
I was always stressed out when it came to car maintenance. Only one time, in Atlanta, my car broke down – $2000 and two weeks without a car. Never again! When selecting the type of Phoenix assignment, I opted for a car rental for the next six months. One Saturday morning, I realized that the brakes were squeaking. I began to worry about potential high expenses. Then I remembered: repairs are on! I rang Budget and they said, “No problem, bring it in.” They mended the brakes, lent me a car, and did not charge me a cent. Oil changes, tire rotations—yes, they do it all. Long-term rentals mean no more unexpected repair costs or time spent.
Insurance Perks
Getting insurance for my old car in New York was not easy – the rates were high due to my young age and the risky city. Once, when job training took me to Dallas for 4 months, I considered purchasing a car. Then I learned about Hertz’s long-term agreement. Surprisingly, free insurance was included in the monthly fee. We’re discussing collision, liability, and even theft protection! In New York, similar coverage was $300 monthly. In Dallas? It was included in the total of $750 I paid to rent the equipment. No extra costs. For one confusing rainy day, I managed to have a small car accident. Phew! I was not exposed to stress at all. Long-term rentals can go a long way in making insurance issues a thing of the past.
No Depreciation
My friend recently purchased a new car after she relocated to Los Angeles. After a year, she got a job in Boston and she had to sell her car which she lost $5,000! From her, I learned a lesson. During my nine-month stay in Los Angeles, I decided to lease a car for that period. The beauty? No depreciation worries. Cars depreciate faster, especially in the initial years of ownership. But with a rental, that’s not my problem. I had the opportunity of using a nearly new Honda for several months. When I left L.A., I simply gave back the keys. No ads to post, no bargaining, no sticker shock. Long-term rentals allow you to use nice cars and avoid paying for depreciation costs.
Extended Coverage
Road trips used to mean coordinating rental contracts. While traveling for three weeks from Nashville, Memphis to New Orleans, I had to hire a car, drop it off, and hire another one in each city. Every time, I encountered administrative formalities and was concerned about inter-state regulations. The previous year, I did a similar trip but wiser. I took a two-month rental from Avis in Nashville. This long-term deal opened up a lot of coverage—I could drive through any state! It is possible for me to travel from Tennessee to Louisiana and even include Florida on a single cruising agreement. Some cover even Mexico or Canada. For big trips or multi-state work, long-term rentals are the epitome of sweet relief.
Corporate Benefits
When my technology firm relocated me to Austin for a large-scale project, our Human Resources department shocked me. In addition to a housing allowance, they also provided a corporate long-term vehicle rental. Several companies have preferential arrangements with car rental companies for their employees who are on corporate assignments. The experience I had with Enterprise through my firm was phenomenal. I got a luxury sedan (hello, Texas heat!) at a midsize prices. There were more perks: free GPS navigation, double points, and even the chance to pass through a fast lane at the airport. Some colleagues received free upgrades or more miles. If you are on a long-term business trip, contact your company about rental offers. You might get those juicy corporate perks.
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