Avoid getting burned on a foreign holiday with a hire car, says Chris Adams, Operations Director at the Brindley Group.
“Feeling burned – and not because of the sun – isn’t exactly the ideal start to your summer holiday. On the road to hiring a holiday car, there can be rip offs aplenty, so you should know what to watch out for,” he said.
Going with a name brand like Hertz or Europcar can seem like a sensible option. But actually, there are plenty of third-party or broker websites which can offer cheaper alternatives for the same times you’re planning on going away for.
“There are other things that can push up the price too. Sharing the driving duties is just one example, as are late drop-offs when you’re returning it, along with the size and spec of the vehicle. And if you’re bringing the kids along, take your own child seats as you’ll have to pay extra for one from the rental company.
“As for insurance, buy excess insurance from a stand-alone provider. Hire cars usually come with a hefty excess, and even if they waive it, you’ll still have to pay pricey daily fees. If you’re on a two-week jaunt, then expect that final bill to be eye watering. Purchase this from a specialist insurer instead; these have annual European cover which is far more affordable. Any damage that happens to the car will mean you’ll pay the excess, but you can claim this amount back once you’re back home.”
And as a rule of thumb: just say no to everything. Falling for the hard sell will hurt your bank balance in a big way, he concluded.