Millions of Britons heading abroad this summer will be dismayed by a hidden hazard lurking beneath the surface of their holiday car hire - the risk of being hit with surprise costs and charges. A recent survey by consumer group Which? has revealed that one in eight individuals who rented a car in the past two years ended up paying more than they were quoted, highlighting the widespread issue of hidden fees and unclear terms.
Guy Hobbs, a travel expert at Which?, points out that booking car hire should be straightforward, but a combination of concealed charges and costly add-ons makes it difficult for travellers to accurately compare prices. This often leads to holidaymakers encountering poor customer service and unexpected expenses that transform an initially cheap rental into a significantly more expensive one.
When searching for deals, directly approaching a hire company might not yield the best value. Instead, utilising aggregator and broker websites such as Carrentals.co.uk, Skyscanner, Kayak, and Zest Car Rental is recommended to compare a wider range of global offers. Crucially, look for deals that include free cancellation, often available up to 48 or 72 hours before the rental begins.
Beyond the initial booking, several factors can inflate costs. Choose a 'full-to-full' fuel policy to sidestep the rental firm's often exorbitant fuel prices and opt for unlimited mileage to avoid per-mile charges. When abroad, consider refilling your tank a short distance from the airport, where petrol and diesel tend to be cheaper.
Upon collection, be wary of 'extra' or 'top-up' insurance policies rental companies often push. While rentals in the UK and Europe include basic insurance, they typically have a substantial excess, sometimes running into thousands of pounds. Secure an independent car hire excess insurance policy before you travel to avoid costly surprises.
Avoid paying over the odds by securing the best deal through aggregator sites like MoneyMaxim, which can help compare options for independent car hire excess insurance policies. Which? highlights Cover4Rentals' silver plan, costing approximately £30.50 annually for a single driver on multiple European trips. Always have a credit card in the booking name with sufficient credit for the excess deposit, as debit cards are generally not accepted.