{"id":1472,"date":"2017-03-12T16:11:43","date_gmt":"2017-03-12T16:11:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ccpc.ie\/consumers\/?page_id=1472"},"modified":"2023-10-23T09:43:25","modified_gmt":"2023-10-23T08:43:25","slug":"car-rental","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.ccpc.ie\/consumers\/travel\/car-rental\/","title":{"rendered":"Car rental"},"content":{"rendered":"<div data-post-id=\"903\" class=\"insert-page insert-page-903 \"><h2>What you should know when renting a car<\/h2>\n<p>Before renting a car it\u2019s important to understand your agreement and know what happens if the car is damaged. Preparing in advance helps you avoid problems and unexpected costs. When booking a rental car, it is important to check:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The terms and conditions<\/li>\n<li>The total price, checking for extra charges<\/li>\n<li>The insurance cover provided<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>When collecting your car, remember to inspect the car and note any damage that is already on the car before driving away. If you have any concerns, ask to see the rental companies record for damages to the car and make sure the car rental company has accepted and recorded any additional damage before you begin your car rental. You should also take your own photos for your records.<\/p>\n<h2>What should you check before booking a rental car?<\/h2>\n<h3>Insurance for the rental car<\/h3>\n<p>Car rental companies only have to offer basic third party insurance with their initial quote, so you may want to check the car rental agreement carefully in advance and decide if you would prefer to purchase more insurance cover.<\/p>\n<h3>The total price of renting the car<\/h3>\n<p>The total price you must pay to rent the car must be shown at the time of booking, even if you do not pay all of it at this time. There should not be charges that you were not aware of either at the time of booking or when you go to collect the car. Make sure you check the contract carefully for extra charges such as a premium price for drivers under 25 years old or charges for extra drivers, so you are fully aware of all the costs.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Terms and conditions<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Before booking, always read the car rental company\u2019s terms and conditions carefully. Some fees may only be charged when you pick up the car, not when booking. However, the total amount you have to pay should be clear at the time of booking. If you\u2019re unsure about any charges, especially insurance or deposits, contact the rental company for clarification.<\/p>\n<h3>Rental agreement<\/h3>\n<p>When you collect your car, read the rental agreement at the desk and ask questions if anything is unclear before signing.<\/p>\n<h3>Driving experience requirement<\/h3>\n<p>Be aware that many car rental companies require at least two years\u2019 experience with a full driving licence.<\/p>\n<h2>What insurance cover and charges should you expect when renting a car?<\/h2>\n<p>Car rental agreements must include third party cover. This is the minimum level of insurance they can offer. Third party insurance covers damage or injury to other people or their property if you are in an accident in your rental car.<\/p>\n<p>Third party insurance does not cover damage to the rental car, injury to the driver of the rental car, or theft or fire affecting the rental car. The cost of this insurance should be included with the price you are quoted when booking your rental car.<\/p>\n<h3>Car insurance excess explained<\/h3>\n<p>An insurance excess is the amount of money you must pay yourself if you make a claim on your car insurance. It\u2019s the first part of any claim that you are responsible for, and your insurer covers the rest.<\/p>\n<h3>Rental car insurance excess<\/h3>\n<p>Rental car insurance often has a high excess. You can buy extra cover to protect you from the high excess charge. Since car rental agreements usually do not offer a high level of insurance protection in their initial price, you might want to add this on.<\/p>\n<p>If you wish to have extra cover such as excess protection or more comprehensive cover for yourself or the vehicle, this is usually available to purchase from the car hire company.<\/p>\n<h3>Buying extra insurance for your rental car<\/h3>\n<p>You may be able to buy extra insurance cover from another insurer at a lower cost .<\/p>\n<p>It can be useful to shop around and see if you can get a better deal elsewhere.<\/p>\n<p>If you do, the rental company will still deduct the excess from your credit card if you have to make a claim. You will then need to claim it back from your insurer.<\/p>\n<h2>What extra charges should you expect when renting a car?<\/h2>\n<p>Extra charges to watch for when renting a car include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Surcharges for drivers under 25<\/li>\n<li>Collection fees, such as airport pick-up<\/li>\n<li>Additional driver fees<\/li>\n<li>Fees for returning the car late or early<\/li>\n<li>Fuel fees &#8211; check the fuel policy in the rental agreement to avoid extra charges if you don\u2019t return the car with a full tank<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>What documents do you need to pick up a rental car?<\/h2>\n<p>When you go to pick up your rental car, make sure you have all the required documents and understand the process. This will help you avoid delays or extra charges at the rental desk.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Driving licence:<\/strong> Most rental companies require you to have a full driving licence for at least two years. If you are renting a car abroad, you may also need an international driver\u2019s permit.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Credit card:<\/strong> You will usually need a credit card in the name of the main driver to pay the security deposit at the rental desk. Even if you booked with a debit card, a credit card is often required.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Proof of ID and address<\/strong>: Bring a valid passport and\/or a utility bill to confirm your identity and home address.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>What should you check before driving away in your rental car?<\/h2>\n<p>Before you leave the rental location, make sure to:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Inspect the car thoroughly both inside and outside for any existing damage such as scratches, dents, or marks.<\/li>\n<li>If there is any damage, get a diagram from the rental company highlighting any existing damage to the car. Review this carefully and make sure all existing damage is clearly noted.<\/li>\n<li>Check the interior upholstery for any wear and tear, stains, tears, burns or other marks.<\/li>\n<li>Ask the rental company to record any damage you find before you leave.<\/li>\n<li>Take clear photos or videos of the car\u2019s exterior and interior for your own records.<\/li>\n<li>Test all lights to make sure they are working properly, and check the windscreen for chips, cracks or other issues.<\/li>\n<li>If you are not satisfied with the car\u2019s condition, return it immediately and explain the problem to the rental company. This will ensure there is no question that you may have caused the damage.<\/li>\n<li>Ask about the policy for toll charges and find out if you need to pay tolls yourself or if they will be added to your bill.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>What should you do when returning the car?<\/h2>\n<p>The rental agreement will outline the rules for returning the car. Make sure the car is inspected by the rental company and that you both agree and sign for any damage on all copies of the damage report.<\/p>\n<p>The company should close off your bill in your presence. If not, they must send you a detailed report on the amount charged, along with information on how you can query the charges.<\/p>\n<h2>What if the car breaks down or is damaged?<\/h2>\n<h3>Rental car break down<\/h3>\n<p>If the car breaks down, call the rental company and follow their instructions. Don\u2019t arrange repairs yourself.<\/p>\n<h3>Accident in rental car<\/h3>\n<p>In case of an accident, note the names and addresses of everyone involved. If anyone is injured or there\u2019s a dispute, contact the police. Also contact the rental company immediately.<\/p>\n<p>If you return the car damaged, the company should explain any charges, which may include repair costs, lost rent while the car is off the road, towing charges or reduced value of the car.<\/p>\n<p>If you booked your car through a booking intermediary such as a comparison website or a flight or accommodation seller, you must also contact the booking intermediary if there is a problem with your rental car.<\/p>\n<h2>How to make a complaint about a car rental<\/h2>\n<p>If you have a complaint, contact the rental company in writing first. If you\u2019re not satisfied, follow the company\u2019s complaints process. Learn more about <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ccpc.ie\/consumers\/how-to-complain\/\">how to complain<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>If you are unable to resolve the matter directly with the company, you may wish to contact the <a href=\"https:\/\/carrentalcouncil.ie\/complaints\/\">Car Rental Council of Ireland<\/a>. They are the representative trade organisation for the car rental industry in Ireland. They may be able to provide further information or assistance on the matter if the company is a member.<\/p>\n<h2>What to do if you have a problem with a rental car while on holiday in Europe<\/h2>\n<p>If you have car hire problems while on holiday in the European Union, you still have consumer rights. You can find more information about car rental in the EU and templates for letters of complaint on the European Consumer Centre Ireland website &#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.eccireland.ie\/travelling-in-the-eu\/other-travel\/car-rental\/\">Car rental &#8211; European Consumer Centre Ireland<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Find out what you need to know about renting a car &#8211; before you book, when you pick up the car and when you drop it back, as well as what to do if the car is damaged.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":113,"featured_media":0,"parent":12624,"menu_order":4,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"tags":[10,4],"class_list":["post-1472","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry","tag-cars","tag-travel"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v26.9 - 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