How safe is your rental car? Here’s how to know before you go

Safety is not necessarily at the top of Jackson Groves' mind when he rents a car. He doesn't wonder: Has the rental company properly maintained the car? Are there any recalls on the vehicle? Did they thoroughly clean and sanitize it?

But lately, Groves says he's noticed that car rental companies have been thinking about safety. And they're doing something about it, too.

"This summer, I was pleasantly surprised to discover some new safety-oriented features that rental companies seem to be implementing," he says.?

For example, one of his rentals had a built-in dash camera that constantly monitored the road ahead. It could automatically send telematics data to the rental agency if he had to suddenly brake or if it detected a collision. It also had an SOS button that could directly connect you to emergency services.

"I felt reassured knowing help could potentially be summoned at the touch of a button if anything goes wrong," says Groves, an outdoor photographer .?

If you're a typical traveler, you probably also aren't paying much attention to the safety of your rental car. But Groves is on to something. Car rental companies really are thinking about safety, and maybe in a more systematic way than ever. And there are also some practical steps you can take to ensure you'll get to your destination safely.

Car rental companies are upgrading their standard of care

It's true that car rental companies are taking safety more seriously than ever. Take Enterprise Mobility, for instance. The company, which owns the Alamo, Enterprise and National brands, has had a standard-of-care plan for years. The most high-profile upgrade happened during the pandemic, when it added a pledge to sanitize all of its cars after each rental using industrial-strength products.

Enterprise recently introduced a new and more detailed standard of care to guide its rental locations and ensure its vehicles are maintained. The standards include a promise to follow or exceed manufacturer guidelines for tire replacement and oil changes and to visually inspect every vehicle before you rent it. (Here's our guide to renting a car .)

"Maintaining trust and confidence in our brands has always been key to our success," says Will Withington, senior vice president of North American operations at Enterprise Mobility. "We're continuously innovating."?

By the way, the SOS button is catching on, too. At Vamos Rent-A-Car in Costa Rica, drivers get free cell phone use for emergency calls with their vehicle. (Related: Be careful using this money-saving car rental trick .)

"We understand that renters feel safer when they know that one of our representatives or emergency services are just a phone call away," says Alex Villalobos, operations manager at Vamos Rent-A-Car. (Also, having a phone for emergency calls comes in handy when you don't have a calling plan for your phone in Costa Rica.)

But experts say there are additional safety-related steps you can take, beyond renting from a reputable car rental agency.

How can you tell if your rental car is safe?

Car rental companies may be talking more about safety, but how can you know if your next car is safe?

Determine if the rental car is roadworthy

You can start by checking the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recall database . If your rental car on the list, ask for another vehicle. Make sure the lights for essential functions such as the battery, brakes and fluid levels are all green. "You also need to ensure that the rental car has some emergency items such as jumper cables, ice scraper and a first aid kit," adds Erin Stender, chief marketing officer of Campspot .

Conduct your own inspection -- and take your time

Conduct a visual inspection of your car before driving it off the lot. Note any damage, like scratches, dings or dents. "Make sure you get an inspection form with all damage indicated before leaving the rental facility," advises Louis DellaPenna, president of United Van Rentals . "Make sure the correct mileage and fuel level is indicated on the form. Your rental company should give the renter a vehicle condition report with all the damage indicated on it, along with the mileage out and fuel level." If the damage is serious or affects its roadworthiness, ask for a different car. (Related: Help! I got a rental car bill I don’t think I deserve .)

Get to know your car before you drive away

It's amazing how few car rental customers take even a few moments to acquaint themselves with a new vehicle, says Robert Walden, publisher of the car repair blog Vehicle Freak . "This can lead to misuse or underutilization of these important technologies," he says. Some renters also fail to notice warning lights or alerts that indicate a safety feature isn't working properly. "And despite reminders, I still see passengers who don't buckle up, which undermines the effectiveness of safety features like airbags," he adds. In other words, don't be in such a hurry to leave your car rental location. Take a moment and see if you can sagely drive the vehicle and ask questions if you can't. (Related: Help! Hertz hit me with an $850 repair bill six months after I returned my rental car .)

Here's the real risk of renting a car

For the most part, car rental companies do a pretty good job of keeping their vehicles safe and roadworthy. I occasionally receive complaints about dangerous or broken-down cars, but these are rare. The real risk may not be what you're driving, but where.

"Driving a vehicle in a foreign country can be a high-risk activity," says Harding Bush, associate director of security operations for Global Rescue . "You should not self-drive in risky countries or regions."

And where's that? The Dominican Republic, Zimbabwe and Venezuela top the list of deadliest countries for road accidents . I've lived in several of these high-risk countries, and Bush is right. I wouldn't rent a car and drive in some of those places for any amount of money.?

By the way, the United States ranks lower on the list, with about 12 deaths per 100,000 motorists. If you want the safest driving experience, try Iceland, Norway or Singapore.

In the end, rental car safety is a two-way street. While companies are upping their game with new tech and stringent protocols, it's still up to you to stay alert. So next time you're at the rental counter, don't just grab the keys and go. Inspect your ride and familiarize yourself with your car's features. Your life could depend on it.

Christopher Elliott is the founder of Elliott Advocacy , a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that empowers consumers to solve their problems and helps those who can't. He's the author of numerous books on consumer advocacy and writes three nationally syndicated columns. He also publishes the Elliott Report , a news site for consumers, and Elliott Confidential , a critically acclaimed newsletter about customer service. If you have a consumer problem you can't solve, contact him directly through his advocacy website . You can also follow him on Twitter , Facebook , and LinkedIn , or sign up for his daily newsletter .?

This story originally appeared in the Elliott Report under the headline, How safe is your rental car? Here's how to know before you go .