Thousands of us use car hire services for our trips abroad every year
. But how clued in are you when it comes to the finer details?
Here are some basic tips for each phase of booking a hire car -
Booking
Before booking a hire car it is always advisable to carry out a little investigation... For example, some companies will charge you extra for sat navs, child seats or taxes!
Paying
Paying for your car hire by credit card is always the best policy as it will provide you with a safety net. This can be an absolute godsend if anything goes wrong; especially if you are in another country. However -
1.If you are booking your car hire with an overseas company, then you will usually get a better deal by paying for it in their currency.
2.Some hire firms will charge extra if you are booking a car by credit card, so ask about this beforehand!
Hiring
*Before you drive away, it can be prudent to take one or two photos of the hire car's condition. This will avoid you being blamed for any dents that were already there...
*Do you have an emergency phone number? You will need one just in case your hire car breaks down!
*Make sure you put the correct fuel in it! This may sound silly, but mistakes are easily made...
*Are then any legal requirements that are peculiar to the area? Some countries insist on drivers having first aid kits, spare bulbs or high visibility jackets...
Returning
*Don't be late when you are returning your vehicle! If you are, you may be charged for an extra day's hire...
*Make sure that any remaining paperwork is completed when you return with the car. This will prevent any 'additional charges' being added at a later date! Retain this paperwork for a few months afterwards, just in case...
*One final piece of advice... Check to make sure that no hidden extra charges have been added onto your car hire bill and ensure that your deposit has been returned!