We want to make booking a hire car a straight forward and trouble free process.
We have attempted to gather together as much information as possible to answer all your questions and some points you may not have thought of.
Even if you have hired cars in the past, our check list below may help you to avoid any unnecessary problems and save you some money.
Generally, the main consideration when hiring a car is cost. Everyone wants to find a bargain. A little research before you book can save you a lot of money and headache.
We have compiled together a 10 Point Check List when booking a Car Hire Abroad.
If you want to get the best Car Hire offers you need to book in advance.
The best deals for hiring a car and saving money even at busy times like school holidays can be found if you book in advance. You can still get great savings booking in advance during the peak season.
By booking in advance also ensures there is more car availability to book the car of your choice. At peak times there will be limited choice of cars available. Larger family cars may not be available during school holidays.
By making arrangements to book your hire car in advance you also have time to check the car hire company’s Terms & Conditions. Compare car hire prices on different dates.
If you have not already made your travel arrangements can you fly a day earlier or a day later? Can you collect your hire car on a different date? Great savings can be found by changing your pick up and drop off dates by just a day.
Decide what type of car best suits your requirements.
When hiring your car it is easy to get carried away thinking of the open road, driving in a soft top car with the roof down.
The type of car you choose to hire can make a great difference to the end price you pay. Think before you book your car which car best suits your requirements.
Cars are grouped together in Classes and the type of Class you choose will depend on the price you pay. It is not always the case that the larger the vehicle the more you will pay. It is a case of availability and demand. Sometimes larger estate cars can work out cheaper than compact cars due to demand.
Vary your search requirements and see which deal works best for you.
Mini: Accommodates 4 passengers, 3 doors, 1 large cases
Economy: Accommodates 5 passengers, 3 doors, 2 large cases
Compact: Accommodates 5 passengers, 4 doors, 3 large cases
Minivan: Accommodates 5 passengers, 5 doors, 4 large cases
SUV: Accommodates 5 passengers, 5 doors, 3 large cases
Estate: Accommodates 5 passengers, 5 doors, 6 large cases
Check the car hire company’s fuel policy.
The various car hire companies have different Fuel Policies which can be very confusing and you may wonder which policy is the best.
Having to pay up front for a full tank of fuel when you arrive at the airport can be a shock if you are not expecting it. It is important therefore to read your car hire company’s policy regarding fuel before you book with them.
Check the hire company’s policy regarding Excess Insurance.
There has been a lot of confusion about Excess Insurance and Collision Damage Waiver and what is and is not included when you hire a car abroad.
When you are looking to hire a car via our website you will clearly see what is included with the different car hire companies. The majority of hire car companies include Collision Damage Waiver.
It is an insurance cover for any damage or collision which may occur to the vehicle whilst you are hiring it.
Although Collision Damage Waiver Insurance will cover if the vehicle is stolen, damaged, or in an accident, there will be an Excess payment to be made for any claim. This Excess payment is the first part of the claim which will be made against the insurance company. The amount of the Excess payment varies with the different car rental companies.Collision Damage Waiver also may not cover you for any damage to the windscreen, tyres or the under-carriage of the vehicle.
For the above reasons your car rental company will recommend that you take out an Excess Insurance to cover the above possibilities.
The Excess Insurance which your car rental company will offer can work out very expensive.
However, in order to avoid having to pay for the Excess on any claim against damage or loss of the vehicle we would recommend that you take out an Excess insurance. Punctures to tyres and damage to the under-carriage and cracked windscreens can easily occur and can work out very expensive if you have to pay the Excess.
Your car hire company will strongly recommend that you take out their Excess insurance when you collect your hire car.
You also have the option of choosing Damage Refund Insurance to cover any excess when making your car hire booking online with our website.
It is possible to choose and take out your own car Excess insurance beforehand.
You can buy an annual policy if you travel frequently abroad and hire a car, or alternatively take out a policy for a single trip. Buying your own policy will work out cheaper than the rental company’s policy.
There are various car insurance comparison sites online to check for the best offers. Shop around and check their Terms & Conditions. Make sure before you choose your policy that it includes breakdown recovery. Some policies do not cover this and it can work out very expensive if you have to pay for breakdown recovery.
If you have taken out your own Excess insurance your car rental company may demand that they hold a larger deposit on your credit card. This is to cover against any potential loss or damage to the vehicle. The car rental company will require a credit card to hold this payment. The payment will be refunded to you if the car is returned undamaged.
The majority of companies will not deduct this payment from your card but simply “hold it” in case of a claim. However some car rental companies will actually deduct this payment from your card and then refund it when the car is returned in an un-damaged condition.
Due to fluctuations in currency rates, especially at the present time with the U.K. voting to leave the E.U., you may be credited with a lesser amount than was debited from your account.
If you do have an accident or there is damage to the vehicle or it is stolen, the rental company will take the Excess payment which they are holding against your credit card.
In order to make a claim against your Excess insurance you will need to ask for all the documentation from the car rental company to enable you to make the claim. Once your insurers receive your claim they will credit you with the amount of the Excess payment.
Is there a minimum or maximum age limit imposed by the hire company?