Summer holiday car hire: drive a great deal and avoid hidden fees
A survey from Which? found that one in eight people who had hired a car in the past two years had ended up paying more than they were first quoted. To avoid hidden fees and costly add-ons, it is essential to shop around online and compare prices.
Intelligence analysis by Llama
Booking car hire should be straightforward, but hidden fees, unclear terms, and costly add-ons still make it difficult for travellers to compare prices and know who is really offering the best deal. Check out aggregator and broker websites, and look for deals with unlimited mileage, free cancellation, and no extra charges for returning the car full of fuel.
When you rent a car for your holiday, it's essential to be aware of the potential for hidden fees and costly add-ons. This can turn what seemed like a cheap rental into a costly one. To avoid this, shop around online, compare prices, and look for deals with unlimited mileage, free cancellation, and no extra charges for returning the car full of fuel. It's also a good idea to buy your own insurance policy before you travel, as the rental company's insurance can be bad value.
Analysis
A Guide to Avoiding Hidden Fees in Car Hire Deals
When booking a car hire, it's essential to be aware of the potential for hidden fees and costly add-ons. A survey from Which? found that one in eight people who had hired a car in the past two years had ended up paying more than they were first quoted. To avoid this, it's crucial to shop around online and compare prices.
One of the most important things to look out for is free cancellation. Many providers offer this, and the period often runs up to 48 or 72 hours before the booking starts. As rental prices fluctuate all the time, watch out for the best deals and switch if you come across something that is better value.
When booking, aim for a deal with unlimited mileage – otherwise, you will be charged for every mile that you go over the limit. And pick a deal where you return the car full of fuel, rather than returning it empty, to avoid the often high price of rental firms' petrol and diesel.
When overseas, it's worth refilling your car a short distance away from the airport, as prices near the terminal can be higher than elsewhere. Look at the customer rating applied to the provider, which is often attached to search rankings. It's worth paying more and getting a reliable provider, than going with a poorly rated one that is cheap.
The Dangers of 'Extra' or 'Top-Up' Insurance
All rentals in the UK and Europe will come with a level of insurance. If there is an accident, or damage is caused to the vehicle you have rented, you will typically have to pay an excess, and the insurance will cover the rest. But this excess can be hundreds – and sometimes thousands – of pounds.
When you pick up your car, the rental company will often try to sell you 'extra' or 'top-up' insurance to cover that excess. This is usually bad value. Instead, buy your own policy before you travel. If there is an accident, then you pay the excess to the rental company and claim it back off your policy.
Tips for a Smooth Car Hire Experience
When you have the keys, check the car thoroughly for any damage, and take time-stamped pictures and a video of any scrapes, scratches, or other problems. Report back straight away anything that is different from the details in the hire documents that the company sent you.
Make sure the fuel tank is full. If you are collecting your car late at night, you may be charged extra for 'out of hours' pickup. Check the terms and conditions of the rental carefully.
When you hand the keys back, stay for the inspection, and once home, keep an eye on bank statements. If you are delayed and are going to return the car late, you may be charged an extra day of rental fees. Companies will often have a grace period, typically 29 minutes after the car is due to be returned, for you to bring it back without penalty, but these can vary.
Key points
- Booking car hire should be straightforward, but hidden fees, unclear terms, and costly add-ons still make it difficult for travellers to compare prices and know who is really offering the best deal.
- Check out aggregator and broker websites, and look for deals with unlimited mileage, free cancellation, and no extra charges for returning the car full of fuel.
- Buy your own insurance policy before you travel, as the rental company's insurance can be bad value.
- Check the terms and conditions of the rental carefully, and make sure you understand what you are getting for the price.
- When you hand the keys back, stay for the inspection, and once home, keep an eye on bank statements.
If you are aware of the potential for hidden fees and costly add-ons, you can avoid them and get the best deal on your car hire. By shopping around online, comparing prices, and looking for deals with unlimited mileage, free cancellation, and no extra charges for returning the car full of fuel, you can save money and have a smooth car hire experience.
If you are not aware of the potential for hidden fees and costly add-ons, you may end up paying more than you expected. This can be especially true if you book a car hire deal without doing your research and comparing prices. In this case, you may be charged extra for things like mileage, fuel, and insurance, which can add up quickly.
