Shopping for a car rental online can often be a confusing process. One of the choices consumers often face is whether to make a standard reservation in which you usually don't provide your payment information up front, but instead pay at the rental counter, or a prepaid rental in which you pay in full at the time the reservation is made. Is prepayment worthwhile for the average rental? Can you get a better deal this way? Let's take a look at the various options to find out.

You've probably been there before. You're standing at the car rental counter, and the agent is trying to terrify you into purchasing an insurance package that totals more than the rental itself. After all, they're not getting rich off that super $10/day deal that you snagged on-line.

Before you dismiss the pitch with a wave though, and initial eight times in the 'DECLINE' section of rental agreement, there are some things you probably should consider to ensure sure you're adequately protected in the event of an accident. Here's a quick guide to covering your bases when renting in the U.S. (policies outside the U.S. vary greatly).

When it comes to renting a car, there are some people who'd be perfectly happy with little more than a cardboard box and four wheels if it got them where they were going, while others have specific preferences about make, model, color and the condition of the vehicle. If you fall in into the cardboard box camp, you can probably stop reading now, but if you'd like to find out how to have a choice in vehicle selection when it comes to your next rental, then read on.

One often overlooked extra when renting a car is a fee assessed for an additional authorized driver. Whether you plan on sharing the driving, or are just looking to have the flexibility for a spouse or fellow traveler to get behind the wheel if needed, adding another driver your rental contract can be quite convenient. However at $10-$13 per day, these charges can add up quickly. Policies and fees vary greatly by company, location and situation though, so it's important to educate yourself beforehand to ensure you don't end up overpaying.

You've scored a great deal on your car rental by checking discount codes and diligently comparing rates. Don't pat yourself on the back just yet though. As many people find out at the rental counter, that may be only half the battle.

Are you traveling with small children? If so, you may need one or more car seats to keep them secure. Not familiar with the local area? A GPS navigation system might be important. These add-ons may add extra charges to your rental. In some cases, these charges may even end up costing more than the time and mileage charges for the rental itself.

Here are a few strategies to avoid or minimize the cost of rental options: