Hiring a car – your essential checklist
October 3, 2023
Renting a car can be a great way to get off the beaten track on a holiday. If you want to rent a car on your next break, and avoid any extra charges, see our top tips for renting a car:
1. Read the terms and conditions of your rental agreement carefully
Like with all terms and conditions, the devil is in the detail! Make sure to ask the rental company if you don’t understand anything in your rental agreement.
2. Know your insurance cover
Car rental agreements usually include third party cover. This only covers you for other people’s injury and damage to their vehicle. You may want to add additional cover.
3. Find out the excess
An insurance excess is the first amount of any claim that you’ll be required to pay. Rental car insurance can have a significant excess. Many insurance companies offer policies to cover the excess on your rental agreement, and you don’t have to buy it from the company you’re renting the car off.
4. Double-check the charges listed in your contract
The rental company must ensure that the charges set out in the contract match those shown to you when you made the booking, They cannot place any charge on you that has not already been disclosed to you.
5. Clarify the fuel policy
It’s no harm to ask in advance about the fuel policy and whether any extra charges apply. Some companies may charge you if you return the car without a full fuel tank.
What if the car gets damaged?
If the car breaks down or you are involved in an accident, call your rental company straight away. They will talk you through what you need to do. If the car gets damaged on your watch, the outcome will depend on the insurance cover you took out and who caused the damage. If you took out excess cover separate to the rental agreement, you will have to pay any excess yourself first, and then claim it back.
Sometimes consumers find themselves charged for damage that was already there when they collected the car. There are certain actions you can take to reduce the chances of this happening. For example, check the car carefully when you pick it up to make sure there are no bumps or scratches, however minor.
Top Tip
Take photos of the inside and outside of the car. You will have these as evidence if any dispute arises.
See what you should check before you drive away.
Making a complaint
Contact the rental company directly in writing if you’re unhappy about the rental service. Learn more about how to complain.
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