A Guide To Hiring A Car On Holiday

We’ve put together some tips to consider before hiring a car on holiday. Failure to prepare could mean a lot of stress and extra cost, so read on to ensure you get the best deal on your holiday car hire this year.

• If you want to avoid unnecessary stress and additional cost, the most important point is to plan ahead and book early. Instead of leaving the car hire until the last minute, leave yourself plenty of time to shop around and to research the best deals.

• Compare prices and deals using comparison sites such as www.travelsupermarket.com. Check what is included in the price, and be careful as the lowest price doesn’t always necessarily mean the best deal. Take the time to read thoroughly through the extras and small print as some companies will have certain requirements such as returning the car full of petrol.

• Before you leave home, remember to take the driving licences of anyone who will be driving the hire car. The more drivers that you add to your policy, the higher the cost will be. As the green paper section of the driving licence was axed in 2015, be sure to obtain a code from the DVLA that will enable the car hire company to check your details online before you leave home. You will also need a credit card for an initial deposit upfront.

• Be vigilant about insurance as you won’t necessarily need the most expensive excess cover that the car hire company offers you – you may well be able to get the same amount of cover much cheaper elsewhere, so make sure you shop around.

• Before you take the car, check the car carefully for any damage and make sure that it matches the inspection sheet. If it doesn’t, get the discrepancy marked and signed on the sheet by an employee of the car hire company, preferably in front of a witness. It’s also a good idea to take some photos on your phone of the car before you take it, and check that the time and date of the photos have also been recorded.

• After you’ve returned the car, keep hold of the paperwork. It has been known for car hire companies to charge you more at a later date. Keep an eye on your credit card statements, and if there are any issues contact the company immediately, asking for proof of any issues or damage that they are claiming.

Follow these guidelines above and you’re sure to have a relaxing and stress-free holiday. Hopefully you’ll also have saved a bit of cash to enjoy spending while you are away!