by Car hire prices may have fallen back a bit compared to last year, but they are still significantly higher than before the pandemic.
Meanwhile, the long-standing issues that have plagued customers for years continue. These include high pressure sales of overpriced extras at the collection desk and unexpected charges and damage oversights, which continue to be a minefield for consumers trying to find a decent deal.
Many people get it wrong and pay a high price for it – these are the most common mistakes to avoid. For more advice on how to keep costs low use our dedicated guide here.
1. Failure to compare prices
Rates for the same car can vary greatly and if you go to the wrong company without getting other quotes, you could easily end up paying twice as much as you need to.
When you’re comparing, though, be careful: it’s vital to compare like for like and make sure the price includes all the extras you want (see below). And make sure you check out brokers (like zestcarrental.com or autoeurope.co.uk) who work by negotiating with many different suppliers to get the most competitive price.
2. Booking too late
People usually only book their rental cars a few weeks before departure. This is a big mistake. To get the best price you need to plan six months in advance. And if it happens that prices drop significantly before departure, you can avoid missing out on these if you book with a company that allows free cancellations. Then you can cancel and rebook if necessary.
3. Paying too late
Some companies allow you to book without even paying a deposit – you pay the full amount on collection. It is dangerous to do this. In recent summers, a number of renters who took advantage of inflated prices and were effectively selling to the highest bidder at the last minute have had their bookings canceled by cynical suppliers. If you pay at least a deposit, you will be able to ensure that you will be able to get the car for the price you have reserved.
4. Traveling at peak seasons
You may only have the option of booking during the school holidays. But if you do, you may have to pay three or four times more in certain destinations than traveling in May and June. If you can arrange to travel outside the peak season, you will likely pay much less. Who knows that high demand in September of this year is already pushing up prices.
5. Application of cancellation fees
If you have paid in advance and are concerned about the possibility of having to cancel, then be aware of potential fees. Some providers allow you to cancel without penalty and this provision is definitely worth seeking out, even if it means paying a small premium.
7. Overpayment for additional waivers
One of the worst things about car hire agreements is how the insurance works. All cars come with some cover, but if you have an accident, you’ll be charged a huge excess – most are now €1,000 or more. Car hire companies then sell additional insurance to remove or reduce this excess. However, such policies are rarely good value. You are far better off buying your own cover from an independent insurer. Which one of them? recommends policies offered by Chew, Questor and rentcover.com. According to Travel Which?, reducemyexcess.co.uk has one of the best selling policies, but also try insurance4carhire.com or icarhireinsurance.com.
8. Maxing out your credit card
If you buy your own insurance to cover the excess, you will almost certainly need to pre-authorize the amount of that excess on a credit card before you are allowed to take the car. This is because, in the event of an accident, you will probably have to pay the excess to the car hire company and then claim the amount back from your insurer. So make sure you have a high enough limit on your card, otherwise the provider may refuse to release the car – or ask you to buy their own insurance. And remember – the card you use must match the person’s name on the hire booking form. (Also note, debit cards are not accepted).
9. Arriving too late
A particular problem last summer was the combination of a large number of delayed flights and a shortage of cars. Since many contracts specify that cars will only be held for two hours after the reservation time, the suppliers unilaterally canceled many if customers did not turn up – especially if it was past the point when who closed the desk for the night. If your flight is delayed by more than an hour after the rental start time, it is essential to call the rental office to prevent this.
10. Not checking for scratches and dents
One of the biggest complaints among our readers is high fees for small dents or scratches found when the car is returned. So when you collect the car, make sure to inspect it carefully to check that every scratch or dent on the bodywork is recorded on the contract. For protection, take photos of all four sides of the car. And if the vehicle isn’t inspected when you return it, take a second set of photos to record its condition.
11. Overpaying for petrol
Fuel policies are also an irritation that can cost you dearly. The simplest is one that allows you to collect a car with a full tank and return it in the same state. However, if you don’t find a convenient petrol station and return it half full, you will almost always pay a premium for the missing fuel and an additional charge on top of that. Emptying the tank is a concern as you are likely to leave extra petrol in the tank to avoid the risk of running out. And the other common policy, full to empty (ie pay for a full tank when you book), also makes it difficult to plan your return without wasting money on fuel you don’t use.
This story was first published in June 2023 and has been revised and updated.
