Unless you live in a box, there's no way that you missed the around-the-clock coverage of Hurricane Sandy, which devastated parts of New York and New Jersey. Despite the New York Times' reports of gasoline shortages and Subway closures, the fact is that people have to travel. Where there's a will, there's a way, and despite the mess, hopeful East Coast residents found ways to get where they had to go.
When Airports Close, Hit the Road
For New York City residents, hopping on an airplane may not have been a possibility. When huge airports close down, thousands of people are left stranded — or are they? Don't forget that you can hit the road in a rental car to get a few days away. Need to travel far? Rent a car and head to an airport in a nearby state, like Massachusetts or Pennsylvania.
Rental Rates Stay Steady During Emergencies
Here's the really good news: according to Fox News, car rental companies don't raise their rates when there's a state-of-emergency or a national disaster. Even when you're in dire straits, you can depend on the same rate that you heard two weeks ago, before the hurricane shut down life as we know it. On top of that, some car rental companies actually offer discounts when they know people are traveling during bad weather or in the aftermath of a hurricane.
Consider Independent Rental Companies
Some people may think that the best deals come from the biggest names in the business. However, there really is something to be said for the friendly, one-on-one service you receive when using a smaller, independently owned company for your car rental deal. Look for car rental discounts or coupons to help keep costs down.
Natural disasters can disrupt travel plans in an instant. Having access to reliable, affordable rental transportation can make all the difference when you need to get moving.
Compare rental options from independent agencies that put customer service first.