Car Hire Tips

Today’s car hire tips come from Travel Jigsaw. I haven’t used their services yet (they specialise in car hire) but their advice is universal.

By dbking

Use a Car Hire Broker

The internet brings a wealth of car hire options at the touch of a button. However, with so many companies around, finding the best deal can take up too much time. Instead use a car hire broker to search top car rental suppliers to find you the most competitive deal.

Book Early

Booking early will enable you to secure the best prices and also provide you with a wider choice of vehicles. This is particularly important if you have specific requirements, such as automatic transmission, six passengers and so on. Often, a deposit will secure the vehicle, leaving the rest of the balance to be paid at a later date. Also, if you need any extras, such as child seats, then booking in advance may be essential.

Read the Terms & Conditions

Be aware of the booking terms before securing your vehicle. Are you above the minimum age requirement? Are you planning on leaving the vehicle at a different location than your starting point? If so, this could incur further costs. If you are in doubt, call the car hire company before you book.

Check the Vehicle Before Setting off

This may seem obvious, but this can save you from big problems. In particular:
- Does the car take petrol or diesel?
-Does the car have any damage that isn’t already described on the paperwork?
-Is the petrol level where it should be?
-Does the country you are driving in require special equipment (fluorescent jackets, road signs etc)

If there is anything you are unhappy about, tell the staff at the car hire desk.

Know Local Emergency Numbers

If you have an accident, would you know which emergency number to call? Such a small thing could make a huge difference to your life.

Check Insurance Excesses

If you have an accident, the amount you have to pay depends upon the type of insurance you bought. Make sure you have absolute clarity as to what cover you have while abroad because policies vary from country to country and company to company.

Know the Procedure for Returning the Car

Ask how much fuel you need to return with the car, as most companies charge hefty refuelling fees. If you can, buy fuel away from the airport, where prices tend to be lower. Finally, check that you have taken all your belongings out of the car, paying particular attention to hotspots like the CD drive, glove box and under the seats.

Anyone Have Any More Car Hire Tips?