Tag Archives: Rent a Car

Automotive, Electronics

Benefits of Dash Cam

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Why use a Dash Cam?
Benefits of Dash Cam.

What are the benefits of dash cam? Lately we see more and more in the news videos captured on dash cam. A driver on the bridge in Taiwan became a witness of a horrific plane crash. Drivers in the Russian city of Chelyabinsk caught what appeared to be a meteor falling from the skies, and many other YouTube videos of wrecks are caught on tape.

Why get a dash cam?

A picture is worth a thousand words, but a video from dash cam can tell a whole story. A little device mounted on your windshield may prove your words if you get involved in accident and help you avoid insurance scam.

A couple of years ago I was making a left turn when a sedan ran a stop sign and T-boned me on the driver’s side. She drove away, but minutes later came back. After police arrived, I told them what happened, but she made up a different story, like I cut a sharp turn and hit her vehicle. Since there were no witnesses, police officers wrote down our stories, without even closely looking in the details. My car was totaled, I end up with the medical bill and her insurance refused to pay the claim. I decided there was a better way to protect myself against that kind of fraud, and I started browsing the Internet to find a solution. Then I stumbled upon some videos on YouTube.

Why Do Russian Drivers Have Dash Cams?

One of my Russian friends told me this joke:
The passenger is asking a cab driver in Russia
– Why do you look at both sides? There is one-way traffic only.
– Dude, that’s Russia – I would have looked upward, too!

More than one million motorists in Russia have dash cams on the board, because sometimes this is the only way to protect from road rage crazy drivers or possibly corrupt police. These are the main reasons why we see more and more disasters caught on video, or crashes caught on dash cam by Russian motorists.

But not only Russian motorists realized the importance of dash cam, because lately more and more Americans start mounting a dash cam on windshield.

How to make a dash cam

I’ll tell you from the beginning: Don’t even bother yourself and waste your time. There are some suggestions from different websites on how to use old point and shoot digital cameras, or some videos on YouTube trying to convince you than you can use your cellphone as a dash cam so you can have a GPS and dash cam recording at once. Avoid both for the following reasons:

1. Many states have restriction laws of using television screen on windshield, even the use of GPS may get you in trouble with the law, so mounting a digital camera or cell phone won’t be a good idea.

2. Digital cameras make very good videos, but most of them have limited memory and don’t erase the old footage automatically like the dash cam does.

3. Assembling and disassembling a cell phone will take some time, and you will not remember to do that every time. What about if you’re getting a phone call? Even if you have a Bluetooth or Bluetooth equipped stereo in a car, your phone will not be recording during the phone call. Long story short, cell phone usage is not a safe option.

You need to assemble the dash cam only once, and shooting starts and ends by simply turning your ignition key on or off; for digital cameras or cell phones, you have to perform that manually.

Is it legal to have a dash cam?

Yes, there is no law to prohibit dash cams in your personal or commercial vehicle. However, there are some restrictions you need to know: you can cover only a 5 inch area on the left side of the windshield on the driver side, or a 7 inch area in the right side of the passenger side. The same restrictions apply to GPS devices too. In some states, it’s illegal to mount an external device to the windshield. Check your state Law and call the state DMV office to get more details on regulation and local laws.


Benefits of Dash Cam. Save 10-50% on computers & electronicsOne law that you need to know is the Federal Wiretapping Act, which makes it illegal to record an oral communication that you’re not a party to. So, if someone else drives your car and got pulled over by the police, it’s better to notify about the dash cam to the officer.

Currently insurance companies don’t offer any incentives or discounts for the dash cam in the car, but there is a positive effect of having one in the car: it changes the driver’s behavior, and you don’t drive recklessly when you’re recording yourself.

Another major reason is that if you’re a parent of teenage driver who does not have enough experience yet, then a dash cam is a highly necessary equipment to have in the car. You can check for mistakes they did, and teach them how to avoid those mistakes. Also they will know that you’re in the car while you’re not really in the car, and it makes them drive responsibly. You can say it’s an invasion of privacy, but I’m not a control freak; as a responsible parent, I need to know the driving habits of my kids, where they go, and with whom.

Where to buy Dash Cam?

Dual Lens Camcorder Car DVR Camera HD 1080P Dash Cam Black Box With Rear 2 Cam Vehicle View GPS TrackerAbout 70% of dash cams sold in US have been purchased by truck drivers, who have been first to acknowledge the importance of having documented evidence in case of an accident or possible fraud claim. After truck drivers, this is a common gadget for cab drivers, who prefer to use Dual Lens Dash Cam with Rear View Camera to record the interior of the vehicle too.

Bikers prefer to use GoPro Cameras mounted on helmets; however, for a car, buying GoPro camera is not efficient. They are pretty expensive and you will face the same problems like with the digital camera or the cellphone. Most popular dash cams have a price range from $20 to $150. There are some expensive ones with GPS functions too, which could cost you $200 and up.

Most of the dash cams are sold by Chinese websites, like AliExpress, Everbuying and Focalprice. They are the most common retailers, where you can buy the dash cam directly from China.
Also there are a lot of options available on Amazon.com and eBay. Walmart also offers a few types of dash cams, but they are not available in every store; on the other hand, you will be able to get on Walmart.com with free shipping to your local store.

Since the product is getting more popular, the market starts flooding with lot of knock offs, and low quality dash cams even start popping up on Amazon.com and eBay. In the next article I will be reviewing two dash cams, which are most popular and are in big demand, and I will tell you how to avoid buying a fake one.
Automotive, Travel

Tips for renting a car

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Top ten tips for renting a car in USA

Things to know before renting a car

Car rental has now become a common practice for most travelers. If you value convenience, then you know that renting is the best decision when going on holiday or business trip. This makes it cheaper for your wallet as opposed to using your own car, and you have the option of selecting the type of car that will be appropriate for your trip. It will also give you the opportunity of getting a different feel from what you are used to. Renting a car comes with more advantages than using your personal vehicle: you will not have to incur any maintenance costs, and it’s the responsibility of the rental company to ensure that the car is in a perfect condition. Renting a car for long trips will spare your personal car from getting old just a few months after purchase, and help you to avoid putting the cost of mileage and wear and tear onto your shoulders.
New Hot Deals at Fox Rent A CarNow the other very important factors are how you can go about the whole process, and make everything very convenient for you and stress free. Here are tips for renting a car that you should consider before walking into the doors of a car rental company, and ensure that you get the best deal and the best ride to fit your needs.

The following guidelines will protect you from rip offs, and will come in handy no matter whether you want the car for a business trip or for pleasure.

1. The size and the budget.

First determine your budget and the size and type of car that you intend to use for your trip. These are factors that will make the whole process easy for you to decide what type of car you will choose to rent. Important things to consider are costs, and the size of the group that you will be traveling with. If you travel alone or with one companion, then booking a smaller car will be a good idea. It’s a double saving by cutting the cost of the rental, and later at the pump. Usually economic cars are in high demand and sometimes rental companies won’t have them in stock.




If you change your mind and want to upgrade to midsize or premium, than an agent will be more than happy to do it for you, likely without additional charge.
Alamo Rent a Car will give you a free upgrade from compact to midsize, when you book online.
If your budget allows, you can go for a luxurious car, or SUV, but get prepared to pay a higher price at the pump too. Sixt Car Rental offers luxury cars like BMW 5, or Mercedes C class, and prices are rather affordable.

2. Check out the prices and car types online before you walk to the office.

To cut down your costs, it is wise that you go for a package deal, or use online promo codes to get a better deal. Alamo Rent A Car (ERAC)Most companies have special deals for their customers, such as weekly rentals, weekend rentals, discounts for loyal customers and packages when you bundle your car rental with flights, or hotel booking. If you have AAA membership, then you may get a discount on car rental and hotel booking as well.
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3. Pick up and drop off location


One Way RentalTry to pick up the car and drop it off at the same location to avoid any extra fees. If you pick up the car in one location, but drop it off in another, then for vehicle transfer between locations Rental Company may charge you an extra fee, sometimes several hundred dollars. Not every rental agency is open on Sundays, and working hours vary by location. Enterprise Rent a Car offers a pick-up and drop off service, but once I found out the hard way that this service was not available at all locations; it was not offered on weekends, and it had a limited radius of approximately 3 or 4 miles. So take all the facts into consideration in order to avoid any surprises at the end.

4. Age restrictions and Extra driver.

Almost all companies have an age limit. Drivers 18 to 21 will have a harder time to find a rental car than for people with a different demographic. Most states have a minimum age requirement to rent a car, which is usually 21, and if you’re between ages 21-25, prepare to pay a higher price. It’s usually not stated on companies’ websites, but for drivers above 70 years of age, the price might be higher, too. This goes by insurance statistics due to the fact that those age groups are more likely to be involved in accidents than are others.

Underage Rental

If you are planning to drive with other people in the car, which was not stated in your rental agreement, then you need to add an extra driver and pay an additional driver fee. Fees may wary from $3 to $10 per day for every additional driver. Do not trick the rental company by not reporting an extra driver; if he or she is involved in an accident, then you will be the one responsible for paying the bills for the damage. In some states, some companies will waive the additional driver fee if he or she is a spouse or a domestic partner who will pass the age restriction and have a valid driver license. Always verify these details before you sign the agreement.

5. Use the best Credit Card you have got.

$16.95 A Day Rental Cars from CarRentals.comGo through your wallet and find the best credit card to pay for the rental. Not all credit cards are the same. Usually banks offer better benefits on travel credit cards, and if you have reward credit cards and enough miles or points, then you can cut a big chunk of the bill by cashing out those points. Remember you need to pay for every day you’re going to have a car in your possession and, also, the rental company will place a hold on your card for usually $100, like a security deposit. Make sure you have enough credit limits on the card. It’s not a good idea to use a debit card because the rental company will put up to $500 hold on your card, and usually it takes a week or two after you return a vehicle before they will take a hold away.

6. Opt out Rental Company offered insurance.

One thing that you should always remember to do is to read the contract carefully. Avoid falling into the hands of tricky salespersons. They usually work on commission and will try to push you to buy insurance through the rental company, but the following reasons will help you avoid buying a costly coverage, and instead save some money. If you have an insured car, you will not have to take out any extra liability insurance. This is because most companies normally extend their coverage to any other car that you will drive, even when your rental car is newer and more valuable than your car, but it never hurts to call your insurance agent and ask for all the details. Remember to ask about the deductible because this will be the portion you have to pay if you wreck the rental car. When you are planning to take passengers with you during your trip, then don’t forget to inquire about Umbrella insurance in case of an accident.

To get coverage from a credit company, then you have to use their credit card for the rental, and it’s better to use one card, not two, to avoid any problems later on. Use the card which gives you a better coverage. Most of the credit companies will provide you with the insurance coverage on your rental; furthermore, some of them will cover the deductible in case of the accident. Check your credit card agreement, or even better, call your bank and ask a customer service representative to go through the details with you. Also remember to ask if your card covers “loss of use”. This is the relatively new fee imposed by rental companies: when you are involved in an accident and the car is off the road during the repair, the rental agency will try to extend the expenditure costs by not renting out the vehicle. Almost all major credit cards will cover “loss of use”. Even better, when you combine your insurance with a credit card to get full coverage: insurance would cover the repair, and the credit card will take care of deductibles and “loss of use”.
A few minutes on the phone with an insurance agent and the bank will help you avoid wasting your money for the service you already have.

7. Opt out Extras.

At the beginning, the clerk will explain to you the convenience of prepaid gas service, and how you can return a car with almost empty tank without a hustle to go to the gas station. This is typically the other way to get more money from you. Simply opt out this service, and do it yourself. When time comes to returning the vehicle, just find the closest gas station and fill the car up to the point where it was when you picked up the vehicle, otherwise the rental company will charge you for the refill price, which might be up to twice more per gallon than you pay at the pump.
Always use your own GPS, child seats, satellite radio (unless it comes preinstalled and without extra charge). The cost of the rent of the GPS is $13 to $20 per day; you can buy a brand new one from Amazon.com for less than $100 , or simply, you can use your smartphone. Using a GPS is always better than a smartphone app because in case of a loss of cell phone reception in some areas you may get lost, whereas this is impossible when you’re using satellite reception of GPS, unless you’re passing through a tunnel or navigating in a concrete garage. Having a GPS with life traffic alert can save you money by calculating a detour to avoiding traffic and finding local routs to avoid paying tolls.

8. Make a detail inspection of the vehicle before signing an agreement.

Before taking the car and signing an agreement, carry out a thorough interior and exterior checkup to be certain that there are no damages. Make sure the car is clean inside and out. Don’t hesitate to ask an agent to take a car to carwash before inspection; many dents on the exterior are not visible when the car is not clean. Don’t be shy and point out all the defects, dents, scratches, stains, and the loose parts you found before you get behind the wheel. Check the odometer reading with the records on the contract. The best way to insure yourself is to slowly walk around a car and take a video with your smartphone, while pointing out all of the above mentioned details, if any. Take a picture of the odometer, tires and any questionable parts inside and outside of the vehicle.



Pay attention to any unpleasant odor such as that of cigarettes. Don’t smoke and don’t allow anyone in the car to smoke; some companies may charge you for cleaning, and if you accidently damaged the interior, then you may end up with a costly bill for repair.
Upon return, once again, take a video and several pictures of the vehicle, and then ask an inspector or an agent to get the final inspection completed before you leave.

9. Unlimited mileage and state borders.

The other important aspects are mileage and crossing the border whether it be state or country. While some car rentals will offer unlimited miles throughout the US, others will restrict you only by instate or neighboring states and impose mileage caps. Low Cost Car Rentals. Starts from just $12 Per Day.You won’t be allowed go farther and cross the boundaries that are stated in the contract, and you will be charged by mileage for every additional mile you drove above the limit. Shop around to get the deal you need if you need to take a car for a long ride, or across the borders.
If you are taking the car for a trip and planning to cross the US border, then you need to mention that in advance because not all rental companies will rent you a car for it. In this case is better to take insurance offered by a rental company, even if it’s more expensive, because it might have a special coverage for this case, which your insurance might not offer. Read the fine print and ask the agent to walk you through the all details, before you sign the agreement.

10. Early or late fees. Other fees.

Plan in advance the time of pick up and drop off. If you need to return the car a day or more earlier, call the agency and ask if they will credit you for unused time, but even if they do, you may be charged extra fees on rental equipment, such as GPG, child seat, or satellite radio.
Most companies have a grace period on returns, which is usually 30 minutes, but if you’re late more than an hour or more, then they may charge you by the hour, or even a one day extra rental. If you’re running late, it’s always better to notify the agent by calling the number on the car keys, or on the rental agreement. Ask the agent which of the mentioned options will be cheapest for you, and remember: drive safe, even the most expensive option is not worth it if you get in trouble on the road.
Usually all rental companies offer a roadside assistance. For example, if you have a flat tire, or you locked the keys inside, it’s usually better if you have club subscriptions, like AAA, which will be a lot cheaper than using a rental company offered service. I’m always taking with me a tire inflator everywhere I go; it’s better than any roadside assistance, or even spending quarters at the gas station to pump air in the tire. Be very careful with your car keys because if you lose them, they can cost up to $400 to replace, not to mention a great waste of time.
Follow these tips for renting a car and be safe from stress and headaches, and enjoy the ride. If you have any other tips on how to save money on car rental, or disagree with the above mentioned advices, please let us know in the comments below.

Image Credit: flickr.com/photos/nrmadriversseat/