GREENSBORO, N.C. — Travel is great until it's not. There are a few things everyone should know to avoid travel troubles.
DON'T PACK VALUABLES IN YOUR LUGGAGE & TAKE VIDEO
Don't put valuable items like a Nintendo Switch or jewelry in your checked luggage. Always put it in your carry-on and keep it with you. But what happens if something is taken out of your luggage? It could be clothes or books or shoes.
One recommendation is when you're at the airport before you check your bag, open it and take a video of the contents with the airport check-in behind you so you can verify what is in it right before you give it to the airlines. This way, if they lose your luggage or you need to make any other kind of claim you have the evidence of what was in your luggage.
HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF WITH A RENTAL CAR COMPANY
Get out your phone. When I rent a car, I take a video inside and out before we drive off the lot and after we return it to the spot. If the company comes back and says there was certain damage done I can use the video to prove my case.
WHY YOU NEED THE EXTRA INSURANCE FOR YOUR RENTAL CAR
“When you're renting a car, if you have physical damage, your car insurance can extend to that rental car what your car insurance does not cover is their loss of income, the car company's loss of income if you wreck their vehicle,” said Christopher Cook, Alliance Insurance Services.
When a rental car is damaged, the car rental agency loses $100 to $150 a day by not renting that car. Your personal auto insurance does not cover that cost. You would need to depend on the Collision Damage Waiver.
“That's the insurance the car company offers you at the counter a Collision Damage Waiver,” said Cook.
When you buy it, the company won't come after you financially if the car is damaged or stolen. The other option you have to buy the rental car insurance is checking out your credit card perks.