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Now, if you’re hiring a car either at home or abroad this summer – be careful not to be taken for a ride with extra charges.
According to a new study from TravelSupermarket.com, 53 per cent of Brits get hit for extra payments from their car hire firm, most of which can easily be avoided.
The most common car hire extra charges include the cost of a tank of fuel on return averaging £83.21, being charged for excess mileage at around £167.96, plus the cost of cleaning at £80.41 extra.
So we’ve teamed up with TravelSupermarket’s expert Emma Coulthurst to show you how to avoid these extra charges and save on your car hire.
Before you go away
Always compare prices online and buy your car hire online in advance. Waiting until you reach your destination can see you pay up to three times more.
Opt for a full-full fuel policy – Look for car hire firms that allow you to return the car with the same amount of fuel you had when you picked it up – a full to full policy.
This means that you won’t be charged an inflated price for the petrol by the firm to fill it up, and you won’t pay for fuel which you haven’t used.
Before returning it, don’t forget to fill your tank to the same level as when you collected it.
Check your excess – When you hire a car, insurance is included, but it often comes with incredibly high excess charges up to £2,000, which you’ll have to pay if the motor gets damaged or stolen.
Get a better deal online before you go.
Make sure you have personal accident insurance too – your travel insurance policy or credit card may cover it.
Choose a car hire agreement with unlimited mileage – This ensures that you won’t be charged for expensive excess mileage.
Take your own child seat – This can save you over £80 a week.
Take your own sat nav or use a mapping app on your smartphone – Another save of up to £14 a day.
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When you arrive to pick up your car
Thoroughly inspect the vehicle – Look at the whole car including the tyres, glass, roof and underside of the car where possible. Keep an eye out for pre-existing damage not being indicated on the rental contract and ensure it is marked on the contract before you take the car away.
Beware if your hire car is suddenly ‘unavailable’ – This can be a sales tactic to make you pay extra so don’t fall for it. If the car you booked is not available, you should either be offered a higher category car for no extra cost or a lesser one with the appropriate refund. Stand your ground.
Read very carefully what you are signing for on the rental agreement – Check you are not signing up for anything that you don’t need.
On returning your car
Clean the car thoroughly – or consider a valet at a local garage before returning it.
If you disagree on damage, there are procedures which the car rental firm needs to follow – The car hire company must send evidence of the damage and how the repair cost had been calculated. You can challenge it before your card is debited. Complain if they don’t do this.
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