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Knowing your way around the rental car market is a huge advantage as there are so many ways in which you can be misled or overcharged. For those who are perhaps not so aware we would like to give you some pointers to stop you falling into the wrong hands. You can have and enjoyable car hire experience if you know the tricks of the trade and how to avoid them. Here is a guide to car rental problems and how to look out for them.
BEWARE: THE EXCESS CHARGE
Most companies claim to offer fully inclusive or all in drive-away prices. Although their prices may include collision damage waiver...which limits your liability in the event of damage or theft...you will still pay an excess. Excess charges can be very high . You’d be forgiven for failing to notice the size of the excess when you book because it’s usually hidden in the small print.
But when you pick up your car, the rental staff may point it out... then they then may offer to sell you extra insurance cover. This cover...known as Super CDW will reduce your liability to zero... It’s worth having, but can be expensive.
You don’t need to pay high prices for SCDW. Instead, insure yourself against excess charges with the insurance companies which offer this type of insurance service. They usually offer both annual charges for both policies in Europe and worldwide.
BEWARE: THE EXCLUSIONS
Some drivers are surprised to learn that their insurance doesn’t cover windscreen, wheels, tyres, roof or undercarriage. Rental companies say this is because a typical accident involves dents and scratches to doors, wings etc. So if you’ve damaged the roof or the undercarriage, you must have been abusing the vehicle or driving off road. This means that you’ll be invoiced if you get a puncture, a chipped windscreen or some vandal slashes your tyres? You pay. Repair bills can be very expensive
Even the most cautious driver can get a puncture, so protect yourself. Annual policies are offered by a number of insurance companies which covers tyres, windows, roof and under part of the car. Some cheap per day policies from other sources may not.
BEWARE: WHAT YOU SIGN
When you arrive at an airport collection point, you may have had a long flight and be feeling tired, stressed and anxious to get to your final destination, you’re at your most vulnerable and can make mistakes. You may be given with the hard-sell, So listen very carefully to what you are being offered and make sure you fully understand the terms and cost.
Check your travel and home-insurance policies to ensure you don’t buy duplicate cover. Get a printout of the rental company’s terms. On collecting your vehicle, don’t sign anything you haven’t read and understood. Remember that every time you scribble your initials in a box, you may be agreeing to pay for an extra you neither want nor need: personal insurance, petrol refills, personal-effects cover, or Super CDW. Make the car hire company fully explain each document that you are asked to sign.
BEWARE: THE PETROL OVER CHARGE
Buying petrol from a car-hire company can be costly. A reputable firm should give you three choices: to drive the car away full and return it full; to buy a full tank and return it empty; or to pay only for what you use.
The first is the simplest, however you must fill the tank to the brim...if staff can get in a few more litres, they may charge you with a refuelling charge, which could be costly. The second option is more expensive. You’ll pay a sizeable percentage more than pump prices and you won’t get a refund on any unused fuel. It is hard to return a car with a full tank, and even more difficult to do so with an empty one. The third option might seem attractive until you discover amount of money that is being charged for the petrol you’ve used... sometimes much more than the pump prices.
Some rental car companies claim you must take a full tank and return it empty. To avoid this, check the terms and car rental conditions when you book and keep a copy with you. Refill on the journey back and as close to the airport as possible and keep your petrol receipts in case of a dispute.
BEWARE: SCRATCHES and SMALL DAMAGE
If you collect your car from a dark basement car park or at night check it for any damage as soon as you can, preferably before you leave the car hire companies premises and point out any tiny scratch or dent, if you don’t and have driven it sensibly and return it undamaged by you, The first you know of this previous damage is when a charge for “damage” appears on your credit-card bill.
If you don’t have a policy covering excess payments. Inspect the car thoroughly on collection and ensure any damage...however minor... is marked on the vehicle-condition report. Ask staff to drive the car into a well illuminated area before you inspect it. If you can, take before and after photographs of the car with a digital camera, switch on the time and date display. On return, wait while staff inspect it, then ask for a copy of the final report. If nobody inspects the car, write on both copies: “car hire staff did not inspect the car for any damage”
Be alert and meticulous in every detail, both at collection and drop-off points. Leave time to read all the forms and insist on vehicle checks. If a car hire office will be closed when you plan to drop off, consider using an alternative company. And, most importantly, if you think you’ve been over charged, complain. together with the evidence. You have a every chance of getting a refund if you can back up your claim as outlined above.
CDW (collision damage waiver) reduces your liability in the event of an accident. Without it, you could face a bill equal to the replacement cost of the vehicle.
TW (theft waiver) is the equivalent of CDW, but protects against theft. Also known as TP (theft protection).
SCDW (Super CDW) does the job that CDW ought to do, reducing your liability to zero. Often sold in conjunction with Super TW.
PI (personal insurance) pays out if you kill or maim yourself or a passenger. Usually covered on regular travel insurance.
PEC (personal effects cover) pays out if your property is stolen from a vehicle. Usually covered on house insurance.
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