For regular travelers the use of budget car rentals is more of a necessity than a luxury; if, in the past you have always taken taxis everywhere, then you will surprised at just how much freedom having a car brings, and it is also less expensive. But with today's competitive market, I wouldn't be surprised that when trying to rent a car you can end up renting a car that sounds like lawnmower instead. Well maybe not that bad, but sometimes, well most of the time, the people that assist you in car rentals just doesn't have your best interest in mind, so you end up paying a truckload of money for a pool of frustrations. Just so you do not get caught out with your rental car I have decided to pass on a few pointers that may be of assistance.I have found that budget car rental using the internet as a resource is a good way to find a low cost car because some sites let you set a limit on what you are prepared to pay. Often the site will not only get you the best deal but may even throw in an unlimited mileage just to get the deal. If you are lucky and decide to book a fly-drive deal for instance, then you may find the rental company has upgraded your vehicle but this is less likely if you book with the airline themselves. Unfortunately, airlines although convenient aren't really the more economic way to go, their car rental prices are hardly budget, and tend to be higher than those of outside firms.There are bargains to be found on the internet and that also means budget car rental as well. Some websites even go as far as internet only discounts which can save a great deal of money. Aside from that you can easily get upgrades and depending on the season, at least one rental company is bound to have a special offer that can help you save money. The biggest benefit to all this is it can take only a few minutes to do this if you are using the internet.Don't forget to ask for any special offers if you are making a booking over the phone because if you do not ask, you are less likely to be given a discount and you may even find your credit card company has incentives with particular budget car rental agencies. It is quite common these days for a company to have made an arrangement with other companies to give discounts to their employees or members so you may be lucky enough to receive a further discount here.The only problem you may find is that a rental car may not have been looked after with the same care as a more reputable company. There may some damage which you do not want to be liable for. To ensure you do not end up paying for any problems the car may have, including lights, horn etc. that don't work, it is a good idea to also check these before you drive away.</P. More often than not your existing vehicle policy will cover the rental car insurance needed but it is always best to check first. Why pay for rental car insurance when your own auto insurance policy will cover some of the aspects, even if it isn't a great deal; even though it may not seem important, driving without auto insurance can land you in a ton of trouble.It may not seem important but driving without  auto insurance  can land you in a great deal of trouble.