So what's the strangest thing you have found in your rental car? Seriously, think about it. I remember picking up a minivan in Florida, loading the kids in their car seats only to have one of my daughters call out to me from the backseat, "Mom, what's this?". In her hand she held an empty beer bottle.
Beer Bottles in the Backseat
I got out of my seat, opened the sliding door to find that the car was littered with beer bottles and caps. You'd think that people probably shouldn't be drinking beer in a rental car, or ANY car for that matter, and that the agency would have had the decency to clean the vehicle out before my family picked it up. Just sayin'...
A Snake in the SUV
OK — I know that beer bottles aren't that strange. Let's face it, us North Americans like our beer. So let's brainstorm... what's the weirdest thing you've ever found in a rental car? Well... how about a snake? The Edmonton Journal wrote a piece about a family who went to pick up their SUV to discover that lo and behold there was a 1.2 meter long snake in the back seat! Perhaps this is commonplace in South American countries, Cambodia or parts of China... but Edmonton? Seriously? Thank goodness the snake wasn't poisonous and was discovered at the rental lot before the family started cruising at 120 km down the highway. Can you imagine traveling at that speed to have your 7 year old kid scream in the backseat, "Mom, Dad, there's a snake back here!" — that probably wouldn't end too well.
Always Inspect Before You Drive
Moral of the story — always check your rental car for beer bottles, snakes or any other surprises before hitting the road. You don't want to be surprised mid-trip. A quick rental inspection only takes a few minutes and could save you from an unpleasant experience.
A thorough walk-around before leaving the lot protects you from surprises — whether it's hidden damage charges or unexpected passengers of the slithery variety.
Compare reputable rental agencies and read reviews before booking.