Using Discover Cars

To get a good idea of rental car companies, prices, terms and conditions and availability, I like to use Discover Cars. Discover Cars is a convenient search engine to easily compare and book car rentals in many countries, including Costa Rica. It might pay off to compare offers and renting conditions on a site like Discover Cars with the prices directly on the website of the rental company, and vise versa.  

Regarding search engine and booking sites, I prefer using Discover Cars because: 

1. It allows you to easily select the type of car (in Costa Rica, you might prefer an SUV type of car for high clearance).

2. You can apply other relevant search criteria (like a 4x4 type of car, which is preferred by many tourists visiting Costa Rica).

3. You are able to view and select the actual rental car supplier(s). This allows you to select the best rated suppliers and compare the Discover Car price and conditions with the price and conditions on the supplier's own website. 

4. Prices at Discover Cars are usually lower compared to renting a car directly via the rental car company. This is because Discover Cars is able to make long term price agreements with these rental car companies. 

5. In many cases, you have the option of free cancellation up to a couple of days before arrival.

The reason why you might prefer booking a car directly with a rental car company is because (provided they share reliable information) all details are between you and the rental car company directly. No standardized platform in between, which can cause confusion. When using Discover Cars, keep the following in mind:

• The mandatory insurances are clearly mentioned and offered, however the only way with Discover Cars to get extended insurance to waiver all excess of the mandatory insurances is by selecting the extended insurance offered by Discover Cars. Note that this is not an extended insurance offered by the actual rental company. 

• This Extended or Full Coverage insurance upgrade through Discover Cars might be cheaper than the Full Coverage option provided by the supplier, but in case you have damage under this insurance, you will have to pre-pay the rental car company, and file a declaration with Discover Cars. Check before arrival if you want Full Coverage, if you want the cheapest option through Discover Cars, or directly with the supplier for more convenience.

• This Extended or Full Coverage insurance upgrade through Discover Cars does not cover damage occurred due to natural disasters. 

• Always cross-check rental company ratings. In case of international car rental companies, ratings are also international. You might want to check how such a company rates specifically in Costa Rica. A good way to check this is by searching for the rental car company's office in Costa Rica on Google Maps and check for reviews. Always use good rated companies. Do not take a leap of faith. Your car is an important part of your vacation.

• You will find rental companies with good customer service and reviews, but also rental companies that are less reliable. Make sure that you rent a car from a company with a good reputation.

• Not all car rental companies are available on Discover Cars. So if you are unable to find a specific company, it might not offer their service through Discover Cars.

• As mentioned before, when booking a rental car through a search engine, no matter which one, I always recommend verifying with the rental car company directly to confirm your booking and ask what you can expect in terms of additional costs and insurance options. This way, you're able to pick up your rental car well-informed and worry free.

The reason I use Discover Cars is for the low rental price they can offer. Insurance options I prefer to have directly with the rental car company. Discover Cars is often able to offer lower prices compared to the rental car companies themselves due to long term agreements. While the rental car company prices tent to fluctuate more. 

Always compare the deal you found on Discover Cars with the offer when booking directly with the rental car company. This will also give you a better understanding on how the rental car company handles insurance options. Since I prefer to have full insurance with the rental car company and not with the option provided with Discover Cars, this way I also have a good understanding on what to expect from the rental car company. 

Last but not least, after making a booking with Discover Cars, get in contact with the rental car company to have your booking confirmed and to verify if the mandatory insurances are indeed directly with the rental car company. Also verify which additional insurance options you have to take with the rental car company to get to full insurance.  

Do not expect Discover Cars to be your middle man and main contact after you have booked. Use the platform for the low prices and organize the rest with the rental car company directly. Note that Discover Cars has a very flexible cancellation policy. When you get in contact with the rental car company, and it turns out you are making double costs for insurance or something, you can always cancel beforehand. Check for the actual cancellation policy when making a reservation. Do I always end-up booking through Discover Cars, no, but it is worth to compare and with a good deal you can save some serious money.