Some car rental companies put their "master contracts" or "general" rental polices on their corporate websites, but it's virtually impossible to read your specific rental car contract before you pick up your car. There are several reasons for this situation.
First, car rental offices may be licensee or corporate-owned locations. Policies vary depending on whether the rental office is owned by the company (Hertz, Avis and so on) or licensed to a franchisee.
Policies vary by location, too. Some states impose specific regulations on car rental companies. Cities, counties and states often tax rental car transactions to pay for specific projects. Tax rates vary from place to place.
Rental car companies, like other travel providers, change their fees, terms and conditions from time to time. One could argue that updating the corporate website with these changes takes too much time and money.
The Bottom Line
The best way to find out what fees you'll be charged before booking a rental car is to call your rental location and ask. Be prepared for last-minute surprises, though, since the rental car company will not commit to a specific contract until you come into the office to sign it.
