Discover the Benefits of Car Rental

Not only the increasing costs of owning a car make alternative mobility options interesting. It is also good for the environment to have fewer individual cars on the roads. Many people ask themselves: Do I really need my own car parked outside? After all, the vehicle costs money even when you're not using it – and significantly more than you might think. At CARIFY, we present the rental car as an alternative. Explore a wide variety of car models, like BMW, VW, Porsche and many more.

Renting a car instead of owning one – who is this option suitable for?

f you commute to work by car every day and there is no practical alternative to driving, you naturally rely on your own vehicle. However, if you can cover most of your daily routes by bike or public transportation, giving up your private car is a cost-effective alternative. For specific purposes such as transporting heavy or bulky goods, business trips, weekend getaways, or vacations, you simply rent a car according to your needs. Especially for short rental periods and long distances, a rental car proves to be the perfect solution. This is particularly true if you live in a city with branches of car rental companies. You simply choose the most suitable offer, book your desired vehicle, and pick it up at the agreed location. Criteria for selection include:

• Price per day or discounted price for multiple days

• Additional costs for exceeding mileage, insurance

• Availability of a suitable car

• Handover conditions or proximity to your place of residence

If you live outside urban centers, you usually have your own car for shopping, doctor visits, or work commutes. Rental car companies rarely establish themselves there. However, if you still need a rental car, you may find offers at local garages or car dealerships.

Renting a car proves to be the ideal solution when your own vehicle is not suitable for the task at hand (e.g., transporting bulky goods or carrying more people than your car can accommodate). If your car is in the garage for repairs, a rental car reliably solves your mobility problems. And if you prefer not to plan ahead, you can also find a rental car spontaneously and at short notice. However, the selection may be somewhat limited in such cases.

Renting a Car in Switzerland: What to Consider?

If you want to rent a car for the first time and are searching the internet for offers, you quickly realize that nothing works without a credit card. Neither in your home country nor abroad will you get a rental car without this convenient payment method. If you already have a credit card, you can get started right away and look for vehicles. Otherwise, you will have to obtain and activate a credit card first. If you are planning a trip abroad and want to pick up the rental vehicle on-site, such as at the airport, make sure you have your travel details ready in addition to the credit card number when booking.

When comparing offers, it is advisable not only to look at the daily rental price but also to examine the services provided. Providers differ in terms of inclusive mileage, insurance packages, and the costs for exceeding mileage. It is also important to consider whether there is an option to purchase an exemption from the deductible in the comprehensive insurance for an additional fee. Do you need special equipment such as a child seat, a GPS navigation system, winter tires, or snow chains? Most providers allow you to add these extras to your booking. Here too, price comparison is worthwhile.

When booking online, you will receive a booking confirmation by email. Usually, a voucher is included, which you print out and present when picking up the vehicle, along with your driver's license and credit card. Make sure that you can pick up the car at the desired time. Some companies do not provide vehicles around the clock. The same applies to the planned return time – both times are particularly relevant for vacation trips as they are tied to your arrival and departure times. However, there are rarely any issues with companies located at airports and major train stations.

The Advantages of Renting a Car at a Glance

• Tailor-made – you rent exactly the car that suits your plans. You can even fulfill your automotive dreams of a convertible or sports car this way.

• Convenient – when traveling, you have the freedom to move around, avoid carrying heavy luggage, and save time waiting for public transportation.

• Efficient – rental cars are always in use and rarely sit idle. This is a real advantage considering the decreasing availability of parking space in cities.

• Flexible – whether booked spontaneously or in advance, a rental car takes you from A to B. You can easily explore your vacation destination by rental car.

• Practical – you don't have to worry about maintenance and services like changing tires.

• Affordable – you save ongoing costs for a vehicle that is often just parked, such as parking fees or depreciation. Instead, taxes and insurance costs are already included proportionally in the rental price. You only pay for them as long as you use the vehicle.

• Transparent – all costs are included in the rental price, allowing you to keep track of your budget.

Picking Up and Returning the Rental Car

Pick-Up

When you pick up the car, carefully read through the contract. This ensures that you won't be surprised by unexpected charges or unagreed-upon items. If you are traveling abroad, make sure you understand all the points in the contract correctly. If necessary, request a translation into English or French. Afterwards, inspect the vehicle. Here is a checklist of what you should check before departure:

• External: Are there any visible damages to the vehicle – scratches, dents, glass damage – and are they documented in the vehicle owner's records? If not, you should insist on a supplementary documentation, as otherwise, you may be charged for the damage. It is also recommended to take photos of the damaged areas with your smartphone. Check the tires for tread depth and tire pressure as well.

• Interior: Do the lights, air conditioning, and windshield washer work? Is the fuel tank full according to the gauge? Does the mileage match the information in the contract? Is the emergency equipment present and in good condition: spare tire, warning triangle, first aid kit, high-visibility vest?

Insurance

The liability insurance included in the rental price should have a coverage of at least 1 million Swiss francs. Many rental car providers offer the option to reduce the deductible of the comprehensive insurance to 0 francs for an additional fee. In this case, you don't have to worry about causing a scratch on the rental car's paint and can enjoy your time in the rental car more relaxed.

Return

In general, the car must be returned with a full tank. If possible, try to return the vehicle during the opening hours of the rental car company. This way, you can be present when an employee inspects the car and prepares the return protocol, allowing you to check if everything is in order. Controversial matters must be included in the protocol and signed by both parties. If you return the vehicle outside of opening hours, it could be damaged by third parties before the return protocol is prepared. Then it becomes difficult to prove that you didn't cause the damage. Taking photos of all sides of the car before returning it also provides some security in this case.

Renting a Car vs. Owning a Vehicle

Here are the pros and cons of bothoptions in a quick check:

Own Vehicle

• Available at all times

• Difficult to estimate ongoing costs

• Not equally suitable for all purposes

• Customizable features

Rental Car

• Only available during the rental period

• Clearly defined rental price, limited costs

• Vehicle tailored to your needs

• Cannot be modified

Conclusion

Renting a car instead of owning one has many advantages. You can enjoy particularly favorable conditions with a car subscription from CARIFY. Thanks to our flexible durations ranging from 1-48 months, the subscription model is suitable for both vacations and daily commutes to work. After the minimum contract period expires, you have the choice: to return, extend, or swap the model. It's that simple. At CARIFY, we are happy to assist you with any questions regarding car subscriptions.