Common Car Hire Scams and how to avoid them
If you have ever hired a car, you’re sure to have encountered one of the common car hire scams or rip offs – whether you knew it or not.
How often have you only paid the headline price that appears after you search for and select your vehicle? We’re going to hazard a guess and say that you haven’t. How do we know this? Because it’s hardly ever the full cost of the rental after you have added essentials and optional extras. Below, we discuss the Top 8 rip offs to look out for, to help save you cash and make you a more savvy customer! Continue reading
Top Tips for Driving on the Right
Seeing as nearly 70% of the world drives on the right-hand side of the road, there’s a good chance you will be too when you holiday abroad. With so much to already take on board, such as different highway codes, new driving etiquette and unfamiliar scenery, we thought we’d give you some helpful pointers to make life in the other lane as safe and stress-free as possible. Continue reading
Where’s cheapest to rent a car this Easter?!
We know, we know, Christmas is only just out of the way, but how many of you are already planning a cheap Spring getaway over the Easter break?! We bet most of you are, but wondering where will be cheapest to go?
Between March 25th and April 1st, there are 2 bank holidays to make the most of (result being you’ll need to take less time off work!) making it an ideal time to get away. Continue reading
Car Hire vs. Zipcar – which one’s for you?
You’re heading off on a weekend away, your accommodation is booked, itinerary is planned and you’ve even selected a few restaurants to visit. But what about transportation around the city? Do you book with your regular car hire provider or opt for something different?
With the rise of services such as Zipcar that enable you to hire a vehicle for as little as a few hours, it may seem that this is the cheapest way to get around, and we thought so too. Continue reading
Know your Fuel Policies
There are so many things to think about when you hire a car; have I purchased the right insurance cover, do I need to add an additional driver, have I got a young driver surcharge to pay…or the big one that catches a lot of people out – what’s the fuel policy?!
All cars need fuel, we get that, but the money that some companies charge is ridiculous. We have identified 5 different Fuel Policies adopted by the providers of Rentalcars.com, one of our own providers.
Below, we explain what these policies mean and help you get to know your fuel policies.
Should Car Hire companies provide ISOFIX Car seats?
When booking your family trip abroad, the safety of your loved ones is of utmost importance. From booking a hotel in a safe location, to tips and tricks on how to keep your valuables safe, you probably research it all.
But what about when you rent your family car and need child seats? Sure, your car seat at home may not be one of the 52% of car seats that are fitted incorrectly, but how do you know the one at your rental pick up can be fitted to the best, and safest, standard?
Should Car Hire companies provide ISOFIX Car seats? Would it put your mind at rest? It certainly would for me!
Car rental: A guide to driving in Italy
Big Boot Italy is the perfect setting for any type of get away; Mountains for Snowboarders, Rivieras for Sun Worshippers and Historical Architecture for Sightseers, there is something for couples, families and solo travellers alike!
If you are already one of the annual 2.5 million Brits that visit the “Bel Paese” (Beautiful Country), you may have already experienced a good chunk of what Italy has to offer. If not, hiring a car and exploring comes highly recommended!
Car rental: A guide to driving in France
From bustling cities steeped in historic culture, to rural countrysides and beautiful coastlines, France really does offer a holiday for all; and what better way to experience it than by hiring a car and exploring it all yourself.
If you’re planning on joining the average 17 million Brits that visit France each year, you may find our handy tips below useful when planning your getaway
Requirements and Essentials for Car Rental
Age
Although the driving age in France is 18, in most cases you will need to be at least 21 and have held a Full Driving Licence for 1 year in order to hire a car. Some providers may even state you need to be 25 – so always best to check with the company before booking your hire vehicle.
Younger drivers are able to hire cars, depending on the company, but will usually face quite a hike in price as the insurance premiums are much higher. Continue reading
Car rental: A guide to driving in Spain
Renting a car in Spain is a very popular choice for holidaymakers, over 12 million brits visit Spain each year and it’s estimated that around a third of them will choose to rent a car as a means of transport during their break; and it’s easy to see why when much of Spain is rural and disconnected from public transport such as metro lines and trams.
Renting and driving a car in a foreign country can be a very daunting thought for some, but it really shouldn’t be, after all, the larger part of Spanish roads are in very good condition and are all signposted very well, helping you find your destination much easier.
Why You Should Really Buy Car Hire Excess Insurance
When you hire a car, wherever you are in the world, you will usually need some kind of excess insurance. As standard, car rental companies will normally include high excess levels in the policy, for example £500 or even higher. This means that if you have an accident and damage the car, you will have to pay that amount upfront, with the car hire company paying the rest. This could end up very costly, making excess insurance invaluable. However, the insurance that is offered by the car rental company if often very expensive, and can leave out certain parts of the car or even only minimally lower the excess. Continue reading
