Collecting your hire car should feel exciting as it signals your holiday is about to start but instead, people find themselves standing at the rental desk being asked questions they might not have anticipated or thought about such as:
Would you like extra insurance?
Who else will be driving?
Would you like to upgrade?
Would you like GPS or a child seat?
When you’ve just stepped off a flight and there’s a queue forming behind you, it’s easy to agree to things just because you don’t want to hold people up or because you just want to get out of there.
But knowing what these questions actually mean before you travel can help you avoid unnecessary costs and make collecting the rental a lot less stressful.
Before You Reach the Desk
To avoid feeling pressured at the rental desk, we suggest you arrive feeling prepared. Before travelling, take a few minutes to:
If you’ve already purchased a Cover4Rentals policy, keep your documents handy. You can access everything through MyAccount which will make it easier to retrieve your policy documents if you end up needing them.
If you haven’t arranged excess insurance yet, it’s often worth doing so before your trip rather than deciding at the rental desk. Buying cover in advance gives you more time to compare your options instead of making a last-minute decision after a long journey.
Why You’re Offered Extra Insurance
This is probably a question that catches most people off guard. In many destinations, your hire car already includes Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) and theft protection. However, these usually come with a large excess meaning you’ll still be responsible for paying the first part of any claim. The additional insurance sold at the desk usually reduces or removes that excess.
Lots of people prefer arranging standalone excess insurance before travelling as it can work out considerably cheaper. In fact, Cover4Rentals policies are on average eight times cheaper than excess protection purchased from major rental companies.
Understanding Your Financial Responsibility
A member of staff may ask whether you understand your liability if something happens to the rental vehicle.
When they’re referring to your rental excess, they’re talking about the maximum amount you could be asked to contribute if the car is damaged or stolen.
Before you drive away, make sure you know:
Knowing the answer to these questions now is better than finding out after an accident or damage to the vehicle occurs and you’re hit with an unexpected big bill.
Should You Accept a Vehicle Upgrade?
Sometimes you’ll be offered a larger car, an automatic instead of a manual or a higher-specification model. Occasionally this will happen because your original vehicle isn’t available but it’s often an optional upgrade that will come with an additional charge.
Before saying yes, ask yourself:
If upgrading your vehicle will genuinely improve your trip then it might be worth accepting the upgrade. If it’s not going to make life easier, don’t feel obliged to accept.
Don’t Forget About Additional Drivers
Anyone who intends to drive the hire car should be named on the rental agreement. If someone who’s not listed drives the vehicle, it could affect your cover if an incident occurs.
Some rental companies charge extra for additional drivers, whilst others include them depending on who you’ve booked with.
A Cover4Rentals excess insurance policy offers an optional family cover add-on, allowing multiple named drivers to be covered under the same policy.
Which Optional Extras Are Worth Paying For?
Rental companies often offer a range of extras but not all of them are essential.
Child seats
Hiring a child seat at the desk is convenient but can become expensive on longer trips.
If it’s practical, bringing your own child seats from home can save you money and will ensure it fits your child properly.
If you do hire a child car seat, check it’s suitable, correctly installed and in good condition.
GPS navigation
Dedicated sat-nav devices are becoming less common as most people now use their smartphones.
Before paying for GPS consider whether you’ll have:
For many journeys, your own device will suffice.
Fuel policy
You’ll normally be offered one of several fuel options.
The most straightforward option is usually full-to-full which is where you collect and return the vehicle with a full tank.
Prepaid fuel options may seem easier and more convenient but if you don’t use the whole tank, you may end up paying for fuel you never needed.
Deposit and Payment Holds
Even if you’ve already paid for your rental, you’ll usually need a credit card when collecting the vehicle. The rental company places a temporary security deposit on the card while you have the car.
Before you leave the desk, it’s worth asking:
Understanding this upfront helps avoid unexpected surprised when you return home.
Before You Drive Away
Taking a few minutes before leaving the car park can prevent issues later.
Make sure to:
FAQs
Basic cover is normally included in the base rental price. Separate excess insurance from a third party such as Cover4Rentals is a good idea as the policy tends to be more affordable and wider in scope in terms of the coverage it provides.
Yes all extras like upgrades, GPS and child seats are optional. Don’t be afraid to say no and only accept what you don’t.
The excess is the amount you may have to pay if the vehicle is damaged or stolen. It can be reduced or covered with excess insurance and how big your excess is varies between rental companies and destinations.
If you’d rather avoid paying a potentially large excess after an incident, arranging standalone excess insurance before travelling can provide you with confidence when hiring abroad and is often less expensive than buying cover at the rental desk.
The questions you’re asked at the rental desk aren’t designed to catch you out, but they can feel overwhelming if you’re hearing them for the first time, particularly off the back of a long flight.
Preparing a little beforehand makes it easier to understand what’s being offered, confidently decline anything you don’t need and start your trip without any unnecessary stress.
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