Hiring a car can be a cost-effective way to travel, as long as you do not accidentally acquire additional charges. You need to be aware of exactly what you are paying for and which costs are actually necessary, as well as the common tricks used by car hire companies to try and increase your bill.
Devices and Accessories
You can hire extras, from sat navs to car seats, as part of your car hire package, but this is often expensive. Make sure you are only paying for what you need. It may be easier to supply your own devices and accessories. Some airlines will let you transport a car seat at no extra charge.
Damages/Collision Waiver
You can be held liable for any damage to your hire car. Ensure you inspect, photograph and document any pre-existing damage, as well as the original fuel level.
Purchasing an excess waiver from the car hire company in case of collision can cost almost as much as the car itself. An alternative is to secure third-party car hire excess insurance. This can be purchased online from sites such as https://www.moneymaxim.co.uk/insurance/vehicle-hire/car-hire/excess-insurance/ for a much lower price.
Read the Contract
This may seem obvious, but it is easy to skim over a contract and miss important and potentially expensive clauses, especially if it is not in your first language. Try to obtain an English copy of the contract, or find someone who can translate for you.
Make a Complaint
If something seems wrong with your final bill or you experience problems with your car, do not be afraid to complain. The European Car Rental Conciliation Service (ECRCS) is an impartial body that can help resolve cross-border complaints across the UK and EU if a company’s procedures prove inadequate. To do this, your chosen company will have to be signed up to ECRCS.
This may not remove all the costs from your car hire, but it will reduce them. This way, you can be more confident that you are only paying for what you need, and there will not be any unexpected surprises in your bill.
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