Car Hire Tips UK

Car Hire has a bad reputation from car rental companies policies of charging your credit card once the rental is finished with additional costs for damage and fuel. This practice in itself is legitimate but it leaves the opportunity open for less reputable car rental suppliers to scam their customers.

With this in mind here’s a quick list of some things you should be alert for when hiring a car:

• Damage, what damage?
This scam involves charging you for damage that was already on the vehicle. It’s relatively simple to avoid by checking the car out before you drive away, but taking photos when you collect and return the car should protect you.

• Getting all Fuelled up!
Most companies rent their cars out with a full tank of fuel and charge you for the difference between what’s left and refilling the tank. Often the price per litre of this charge is higher than the pump price and it’s very difficult to prove how much or little was in the car when you returned it. Avoid this by filling the car at the nearest garage just before you take it back. Hold onto the receipt just in case and if they try and charge you, you’ve got some pretty good evidence on your side.

• Hang on a minute, all these extras cost more than the rental!
Check the cost of your rental as car hire as an industry is notorious for it’s extras charging. You can get charged at the counter for extras like additional drivers, child seats, insurance upgrades, young driver surcharges, and more. To avoid this make sure you read the rental terms when booking, and make sure your quotes are like for like. A company that appears cheaper may not always be the lowest cost option.

As the saying goes, “Accidents happen” and you’re just as likely to have an accident when in a hire car than you would be driving your own car. So, it’s important to know what to do should the worst happen and you have an accident in your hire car.

All rental companies have different policies and procedures to cover for accidents and you should make yourself familiar with the particular procedures of your chosen rental company (these can usually be found on the rental agreement and covered somewhere in the terms on their web sites).

When you find yourself in an accident it’s important to record as much information as you can at the time. Always try and make a note of the following:

• You will need the name, address, phone number, insurance details and drivers license number of any one else involved in the crash.

• Note down a description of the vehicles in the accident, including their make, model and registration numbers.

• Write down the time, date and location of the accident.

• If there were any witnesses to the accident, you should get their names and contact details.

• Depending on the laws in the country you’re driving in, the police may need to be informed of the accident. Ignorance is no excuse so this is something you need to find out about before you begin driving the hire car. If the police are involved, ask for a copy of their report.

• Inform the rental company of the accident as soon as possible. They will advise you what you need to do next and probably ask for all those details mentioned above.

• In the event of an accident the rental company may decide not to replace the car for you (assuming it’s not drivable). Again you should check for this in their terms when hiring.

If the car is still drivable and you continue your rental after an accident make sure you leave plenty of extra time when you return to vehicle at the end of the rental. They’re going to have lots of forms for you to fill out.