Renting on the Continent

Kintarō Hattori

My apologies if I haven't gotten the right forum, I thought here might be more pertinent.

So the missus and I are heading to Barcelona for a few days and plan on renting a car to drive to Carcassonne in the south of France. We've been to both cities in the past but never rented a car- which we'll be doing for the first time.

My main query really is A- is a rented car likely to come with the necessary provisions need for driving in both countries (France especially) or will I need to purchase a kit.
Secondly going through the options there are things 'not included in the rates' such as:

Super Cover (Excess Waiver)
Personal Insurance
Tyre Damage etc

That's just some of the options some of the companies have. Are there any options I should look to take out that are the done thing?

Apologies for what may be a silly query. It'll be our first time to rent a car abroad so just want to make sure we do things correctly.


D'oh- this was supposed to go in the main forum. How come I can't delete the thread?

CiniO

Kintarō Hattori wrote: »

My day query really is A- is a rented car likely to come with the necessary provisions need for driving in both countries (France especially) or will I need to purchase a kit.

If you rent a car in Spain, it's going to come with all equipment needed by Spanish law. This is all you need to be able to drive anywhere in Europe, as every car needs to be equipped as required in country of registration.
However rental company might charge you extra for privilege of driving abroad.

Secondly going through the options there are things 'not included in the rates' such as:

Super Cover (Excess Waiver)

This would relieve you from obligation to leave deposit, and obviously to cover excess (usually fairly big) if something happens with the car.
However usually it's cheaper not to go with this option, but instead to purchase excess cover provided third party company, f.e. http://www.carhireexcess.ie/ or something similar.

Only difference is that when you purchase Super cover directly from rental company, then you don't need to leave deposit (usually deposit is in form of pre-auth on your credit card).
If you purchase excess cover from third party company like above, then you need to leave deposit with rental company, and if something happens with the car, you will need to pay for damage, but excess cover company will reimburse you for this cost.

Personal Insurance

I'm not sure about it, but probably your travel insurance or medical insurance will cover same thing.

Tyre Damage etc

That's another thing. Most rental companies have in conditions that tyres are not covered by any insurance, as well as underbody.
So if you get flat tyre or damage the tyre, you will need to pay for it yourself. This might be extra insurance to cover this.

That's just some of the options some of the companies have. Are there any options I should look to take out that are the done thing?

All depends on you and how much risk are you willing to take.
I normally don't purchase anything more than standard.

Black_Knight

CiniO wrote: »

If you rent a car in Spain, it's going to come with all equipment needed by Spanish law. This is all you need to be able to drive anywhere in Europe, as every car needs to be equipped as required in country of registration.

Dont you need a bit of a kit to drive in France. Breathalyser, high vis vest (that might be only for motorcycles though).

CiniO

Black_Knight wrote: »

Dont you need a bit of a kit to drive in France. Breathalyser, high vis vest (that might be only for motorcycles though).

Breathalysers are not compulsory in France (law has been revoked).

Hi-vis jackets - they can't be requested as part of car equipment if they are not necessery in country or registration.
However if they need to be used (f.e. car is broken down and people need to get out) and you don't have them, then probably you can get fined for it.
Rental company upon telling they what countries you will be travelling through, should provide them in such case.

keithclancy

Mmmm .. I found the rental experience pretty much the same across all EU Countries i've been to.

With the exception of Ireland that the Easypass toll thingy, seems some companies pay it for you and others expect you to pay it.

curiousb

If you intend to pick up in Barcelona and drop off in Carcassone there might be extra charges, as you would be dropping off in another country.

Kintarō Hattori

curiousb wrote: »

If you intend to pick up in Barcelona and drop off in Carcassone there might be extra charges, as you would be dropping off in another country.

We'll be heading back down to Barcelona again, thus dropping the car off where we picked it up.

Kintarō Hattori

Done and dusted. Had a fantastic Hertz representative in Barcelona who was Italian, was working in Barcelona but who had spent years living in Swords! We were fortunate enough to rent a car very similar to her own and took the option of renting a GPS unit as well which was a life saver.
We managed to get out of the city and drove to Carcassonne and around the south east of France before heading back to Barcelona a few days later. All in all there was little stress and it was a good first experience.

Many thanks all.