Vehicle Hire queries

BailMeOut · 09-05-2016 9:36am

bubblypop wrote: »

Hi, I'm planning on hiring a car in Italy in a few weeks.
I have never done this before, so could anyone explain the insurance to me?
I pay extra for insurance with the hire company, is that correct? On top of the price of hiring the car?
What are these extras they try to make you buy?
Is the cover fully comp?
Sorry, it's my first time & I don't want to look clueless!

when you rent a car all insurance required will be included. The extras that people talk about is usually 'excess' insurance which means you basically insure your deducible should you damage the car. This can be quite high and anywhere from €500 to €2000+ depending on who you rent from.

So without excess the car hire company will put a hold on your credit card for this amount and if you damage your car will take up to this amount for repairs. It annoys everyone as excess insurance is usually quite expensive and a bit of a gamble if you do not get it.

You can also get third party excess insurance (google it) which is so much cheaper but the car hire company will still put a hold on your cc for the excess amount until you return the car which can be a problem if your cc limit is low and you intend using it while on holidays.

Tigerandahalf · 09-05-2016 9:51am

BailMeOut wrote: »

You can also get third party excess insurance (google it) which is so much cheaper but the car hire company will still put a hold on your cc for the excess amount until you return the car which can be a problem if your cc limit is low and you intend using it while on holidays.

Will the hold on the credit card actually affect your limit for that month?

I would have thought it would only be an issue if they actually took the money from the credit card. Otherwise you probably wouldn't be able to use the credit card.

Gatica · 09-05-2016 9:51am

Always read the T&Cs, depending on where you hire different things will be included as part of the minimum legal requirement, e.g. in California they cannot charge you more excess than $500, so paying extra for excess insurance may not be worth it for example.
Also, very often minimal insurance only covers third party damage, so if the car is damaged or stolen you could be liable for the full cost of damages, towing charges and loss of rental fees. Some car liability cover will not include tires, rims, roof and windows, so check for this. Loss of keys is another one to check for, and roadside assistance.
Additional things that you may not need are medical insurance while in the vehicle (travel insurance IMO should cover this), personal effects insurance (e.g. your property stolen from a locked car).

Gatica · 09-05-2016 9:53am

Tigerandahalf wrote: »

Will the hold on the credit card actually affect your limit for that month?

I would have thought it would only be an issue if they actually took the money from the credit card. Otherwise you probably wouldn't be able to use the credit card.

Yes, it will. They block that amount in case they need to charge it and you won't be able to use it. Not much good to them if you've maxed your cr card and they can't charge you to it. Also takes a couple of days for the block to be lifted.

Tigerandahalf · 09-05-2016 9:56am

Gatica wrote: »

Yes, it will. They block that amount in case they need to charge it and you won't be able to use it. Not much good to them if you've maxed your cr card and they can't charge you to it. Also takes a couple of days for the block to be lifted.

Would they not still be able to charge.
I have gone over my limit before and the transaction wasn't stopped. I was simply charged an overlimit fee by the bank. I think it was €7.

BailMeOut · 09-05-2016 10:08am

Tigerandahalf wrote: »

Would they not still be able to charge.
I have gone over my limit before and the transaction wasn't stopped. I was simply charged an overlimit fee by the bank. I think it was €7.

would depend on your cc and what the transaction was. If you are trying to pay for a large hotel bill at the end of a holiday and the rental car company had most of your limit tied up you could be in for some bother.

naughtysmurf · 13-05-2016 8:06am

For the Canary Islands I use Cicar or Cabrera Medina, both the same company really, you can book online & pay cash for the rental, no credit card needed, fully covered, no excess

For Orlando FL, always use uscarhire.com, low deposit, full insurance CDW, SLI, UMP, you can cancel & amend for no charge, as you have pre paid everything in Euro there is no hard sell at the airport, the only thing the agent can flog you is a toll pass which most people don't need, GPS or child seat, you can bypass the desk anyway using the self service kiosks (Alamo & National)

flikflak · 13-05-2016 3:33pm

After many years of renting in Europe and using whoever was the cheapest I only tend to use Avis now as I can add air miles to by account with them. I am a preferred member and always get a free additional driver too.

I like the fact that as a preferred member (nothing special just a loyalty club) my keys are waiting for me when I arrive and it takes minutes to pick up my car without being at the desk for ages going through all the extras and things you have to endure with cheaper companies. Tank is always full to return full. Also the fact they you simply return the keys, there is a quick look over the vehicle and you are gone. There is none of this going over it with a fine tooth comb looking for any tiny scratch that may be there.

I have seen car hire in Europe for €5 a day. I dread to think what they are going to try and sell you at the desk and make you purchase once you are there. It may be €5 initially but I bet by the time you add everything up (insurance, fuel, on airport pick up charge - I have even seen fees for returning the car!!) I bet its not that much more than if you are a member of a bigger companies loyalty club and have booked with a member code.

Speculator · 16-05-2016 9:22am

We've used CompareTravel.ie a few times, its a car rental comparison website.

Never had any issues.

cullenswood · 17-05-2016 12:45pm

Any one use Record Car Rentals out of Alicante recently? Am using them in July.

BailMeOut · 20-05-2016 12:25pm

bubblypop wrote: »

Quick question, if the amount that the hire company want to block on your credit card is more than your credit limit, what happens?
I only have 1500 limit on mine, it seems most companies block a lot more than that

it is really only a problem is you decline excess insurance. If you do decline excess insurance then they will hold whatever their deductible is which will be different for every company.

cjmc11 · 22-05-2016 8:20pm

Hey all, quick question,
Hiring a car from the airport, does the car hire company provide the compulsory safety equipment required for France, such as the high vis vests, warning triangle, spare bulbs etc.?
And if not, what exactly is needed and can they be bought at the airport?
Thanks

coylemj · 22-05-2016 8:39pm

cjmc11 wrote: »

Hey all, quick question,
Hiring a car from the airport, does the car hire company provide the compulsory safety equipment required for France, such as the high vis vests, warning triangle, spare bulbs etc.?
And if not, what exactly is needed and can they be bought at the airport?
Thanks

I never looked for spare bulbs in a French hire car but there will be a hi-viz jacket in a transparent bag in the glovebox, I wouldn't worry about anything else. If there is a legal requirement then they will be supplied but a lot of what you read on the web is either OTT or out of date.

Gatica · 23-05-2016 10:12am

ring them. It might be a long wait and many calls but everything can be sorted quicker by phone with them.
They can speed up the process if you're travelling soon (even if not family emergency).

Shaunao · 23-05-2016 10:30am

joefuss1986 wrote: »

They don't email back iny experience recently, book an appointment in their Dublin/cork office asap and talk to someone face to face. Get the forms filled out in the garda station.

I'm about to make the appointment but I've got people telling me i can only go to Cork and other people saying I can only go to Dublin -_- I don't have time to waste but I'm guessing that I can make one in Dublin? it would make more sense since I live in Offaly.

Shaunao · 23-05-2016 10:32am

Also the websites don't specify that i can or cant go to either so I guess it should be ok?

Laphroaig52 · 23-05-2016 10:36am

I had such an experience a few years ago.

I got all the photos and forms filled out and signed by the Garda and I showed up in the Dublin passport office first thing in the morning.

I told them my sad story, they verified all my paperwork and told me to come back at 4pm.

At 4pm - same day - I got my new passport.

I paid through the nose for it but I did get it.

A stressful experience mind you!

Shaunao · 23-05-2016 10:41am

Laphroaig52 wrote: »

I had such an experience a few years ago.

I got all the photos and forms filled out and signed by the Garda and I showed up in the Dublin passport office first thing in the morning.

I told them my sad story, they verified all my paperwork and told me to come back at 4pm.

At 4pm - same day - I got my new passport.

I paid through the nose for it but I did get it.

A stressful experience mind you!

Really? Did it matter which office you went to? Seems like a silly question I know but I'm being told different things and I just wanna be sure.

Laphroaig52 · 23-05-2016 11:42am

Shaunao wrote: »

Really? Did it matter which office you went to? Seems like a silly question I know but I'm being told different things and I just wanna be sure.

I don't know. At the time, I didn't even consider Cork because Dublin is - well you know - Dublin.

I would give them a call:

In my more recent dealings with them, I have found that it is nearly impossible to get through to the Dublin office on the phone. It just goes straight to the recorded message.

You will get through to the Cork office but be prepared to be on hold for twenty minutes or more. They are very helpful once you get through to them though.

And don't waste precious time waiting for an email answer - I don't think they have ever responded to my email queries.

Shaunao · 23-05-2016 11:47am

Laphroaig52 wrote: »

I don't know. At the time, I didn't even consider Cork because Dublin is - well you know - Dublin.

I would give them a call:

In my more recent dealings with them, I have found that it is nearly impossible to get through to the Dublin office on the phone. It just goes straight to the recorded message.

You will get through to the Cork office but be prepared to be on hold for twenty minutes or more. They are very helpful once you get through to them though.

And don't waste precious time waiting for an email answer - I don't think they have ever responded to my email queries.

Thank you so much everyone ! I'm going to try cork again ..

schemingbohemia · 23-05-2016 1:25pm

Remember to leave the jacket in the glovebox, if it's in the boot the police can still fine you.

meangene · 23-05-2016 1:54pm

Has anyone ever found a deal for both car hire excess and travel insurance yet?

echter · 23-05-2016 4:34pm

a local taxi driver recommended going through the east-link toll bridge too, it can be quite difficult to get onto the quays etc. Would i be able to check in and provide API at the kiosks?

VinLieger · 23-05-2016 7:09pm

If you have lost your tracking number is there any way of getting it again or somehow getting an update?

Edit: nvm it was found

J.pilkington · 24-05-2016 8:30am

Axa do a great annual policy. Reasonably priced together with a familiar name you can trust

https://www.axacarhireexcess.ie

Yamanoto · 18-06-2016 12:31pm

Europcar offer deals for a quid across Europe, if you'll re-locate their cars from point A to point B within 24hrs.

Hertz have offers at preferential rates along the same lines too.

https://www.europcar.co.uk/deals/one...?xtor=AL-3090-

http://www.hertz-transfer.eu/

soulglo79 · 28-06-2016 10:55pm

Does anyone know how to get cheap car rental in Croatia, Zadar to be specific. Needs to include a child seat.

jt_dublin · 29-06-2016 7:56am

Have a look on ebookers.ie. Most of the car rental companies they deal with would be fairly reputable ones.

munchkin_utd · 29-06-2016 8:44am

maybe youre not aware, but you can check in child seats for free on the likes of Aer lingus or Ryanair so you dont necessarily need to pay the excessive charges that rental companys ask for

slowcentrehalf · 01-07-2016 4:42pm

Hey there,
I'm looking for advice. I'm renting a car in Italy, and I'll be travelling as part of a group of 3 Adults and 2 Children (ages 3 & 7)

Can anyone recommend what class of Car I should get?
The kids will need car seats (maybe just a booster for the 7 year old?)

We'll have a bag per person but not too much more then that.

Anyone any experience?

coylemj · 01-07-2016 5:19pm

A midsized car like a Hyundai i30 should fit the bill. The car rental websites show photos of the 'typical' car in each class, you should be able to figure it out but don't be surprised if you don't get that exact model on the day. And make sure to book the booster seat if travelling in July or August.

Atlantic Dawn · 01-07-2016 6:02pm

Go for standard or above, your main concern is room for baggage, if you could put the 2 kids baggage in to 1 large bag it would help loading space.

01-07-2016 11:51pm

I brought two booster seats with me, cost around 11 euro in lidl or aldi , free to check in with Ryanair & didn't bother bringing them home.
Any rental places I checked were charging per seat per day!
Bringing them was way cheaper

alan partridge aha · 01-07-2016 11:55pm

bubblypop wrote: »

I brought two booster seats with me, cost around 11 euro in lidl or aldi , free to check in with Ryanair & didn't bother bringing them home.
Any rental places I checked were charging per seat per day!
Bringing them was way cheaper

+1 also bring your own GPS

Tigerandahalf · 02-07-2016 7:23am

Get a big car. The luggage alone will take up a lot of space. If they are just carry on luggage you will manage with a smaller car but big suitcases will need a very big boot.

You also want 3 adult spaces in the back seat as kids' seats will take up extra room.

neacy69 · 04-07-2016 11:54am

Whats the best site to book on these days?

Poochie05 · 04-07-2016 7:26pm

neacy69 wrote: »

Whats the best site to book on these days?

I find the car hire section of the Aer Lingus website very good (powered by Car Trawler). You don't need to have AL flights to use it. The descriptions are very clear on what is or isn't included and also tells you the name of the car hire company in advance. Makes comparisons and decision making very easy.

sydneycarton · 04-07-2016 8:39pm

We are travelling to Italy in August and ideally we would like to hire a car to take us from the airport to where we are staying. Unfortunately however we don't have a credit card. Is it possible to hire a car in Italy without a credit card? Or if not, is it possible to hire a car with a prepaid credit card?

jt_dublin · 04-07-2016 9:08pm

neacy69 wrote: »

Whats the best site to book on these days?

I book rental cars almost every month and find Ebookers to be among the cheapest. It also tells you the car hire company in advance.

http://www.ebookers.ie

sebbplatter · 09-07-2016 9:16pm

As per the title, we need to hire a car for a weekend soon.

All the online car rental t's & c's same to say the same, that a credit card is required in order to make a booking.

I used Avis in Italy recently with just a debit card and it was accepted but their terms clearly state :

[font=Arial, sans-serif]Though you can use many different credit card to make your booking, you must have one of the following cards (American Express, MasterCard, Visa and Diners Card), in the name of the driver, with you when you collect your car. Avis Ireland do not accept debit cards.[/font]

Just wondering if anyone has managed to hire a car from Shannon (or dublin) with just a debit card only?

And if so which company did you use?

BailMeOut · 11-07-2016 11:02am

sebbplatter wrote: »

As per the title, we need to hire a car for a weekend soon.

All the online car rental t's & c's same to say the same, that a credit card is required in order to make a booking.

I used Avis in Italy recently with just a debit card and it was accepted but their terms clearly state :

[font=Arial, sans-serif]Though you can use many different credit card to make your booking, you must have one of the following cards (American Express, MasterCard, Visa and Diners Card), in the name of the driver, with you when you collect your car. Avis Ireland do not accept debit cards.[/font]

Just wondering if anyone has managed to hire a car from Shannon (or dublin) with just a debit card only?

And if so which company did you use?

Dooley Car Rentals

1.3 Payment / Credit Card
A major credit card is required when you collect your car. We accept MasterCard, Visa, American Express and Diners Club. We also accept most debit cards as a form of payment. However, if you are using a debit card you are obliged to purchase the excess insurance and a reduced damage excess of EURO 500 will apply, which will also be taken as a charge on the debit card. Switch cards, Discover Cards or cash are not acceptable forms of payment. The credit card/debit card used to pay for the vehicle at time of rental must be in the name of the principal driver. At the time of the rental there must be sufficient funds on the card to cover all charges including any insurance excess/deductible amount. You will be charged to your credit card/debit card when you make your booking. If there are insufficient funds in your credit card to cover the rental cost and any excess, we will be unable to process the booking or provide a vehicle.
You will be charged to your credit card/debit card when you make your booking. If there are insufficient funds in your credit card to cover the rental cost and any excess, we will be unable to process the booking or provide a vehicle.

Tigerandahalf · 11-07-2016 12:09pm

I was talking to an American guy recently and he said when he rents a car here he simply swaps over his American car insurance which covers the car rental.

jma · 13-07-2016 3:38pm

Tigerandahalf wrote: »

I was talking to an American guy recently and he said when he rents a car here he simply swaps over his American car insurance which covers the car rental.

I pay €320 per year for my car insurance and it covers me to drive any car in the B category. But it's only 3rd party cover. But I think there are some insurances where when you have fully comp, it also covers you to drive other people's cars on fully comp.

I wonder if this would work for rental cars also.

Or perhaps there's a stipulation that the car you're driving already has to be covered by a third party?

The wording on the policy is as follows:

Driving of Other Cars
(Policy Holder Only)
(Third Party cover only)

But I could not find any elaboration.

BailMeOut · 13-07-2016 4:28pm

jma wrote: »

I pay €320 per year for my car insurance and it covers me to drive any car in the B category. But it's only 3rd party cover. But I think there are some insurances where when you have fully comp, it also covers you to drive other people's cars on fully comp.

I wonder if this would work for rental cars also.

Or perhaps there's a stipulation that the car you're driving already has to be covered by a third party?

The wording on the policy is as follows:

Driving of Other Cars
(Policy Holder Only)
(Third Party cover only)

But I could not find any elaboration.

Can you decline insurance when renting a car anway? Pretty sure you cannot and the only insurance you can decline is the excess.

jma · 13-07-2016 4:56pm

BailMeOut wrote: »

Can you decline insurance when renting a car anway? Pretty sure you cannot and the only insurance you can decline is the excess.

You can decline cover, not just excess. Especially when renting from an American company.

Juran · 21-07-2016 9:34am

Last year I hired with Hertz, they were a 2 min walk from the terminal .... i believe all the car hire companies at Barcelona airport are outside the old terminal ...Note, there are 2 terminal, the new terminal will require a bus ride to the car hire place which is right outside the old terminal ... I don't know their names, A or B, 1 or 2

GT_TDI_150 · 21-07-2016 10:34am

Be awsre of an issue around that airport with rental cars ....

The below happened to us.

When leaving the carpark a people carrier stopped in front of us to (as it later transpired) "check that their boot was closed".

Within 200m of this i had to pull in due to a rear passenger side flat.

The guarda civil arrived almost instantainiously as i had stopped between 2 junctions and an offramp.

When the airport sent a service guy to see if he could pump the tire it seemed the tire was slashed. He service guy explains its quite common. A guy on a moped will slash the tire while you are distracted. When you pull in they approach you and at knife point demand phones, cash and jewlery.

We were just lucky that the guarda civil spotted us pull in in a dangerous spot and came straight over.

Something to be aware off.

GT_TDI_150 · 21-07-2016 10:41am

Oh, and make sure to go to the desk inside the terminal building to get the contract signed before going out to the hut to collect the keys as the hut people will only send you inside anyway for the signed contract.

fits · 21-07-2016 10:42am

DO NOT HIRE FROM GOLDCAR. That is all

We booked them through the aer lingus site recently. We took out our own car hire excess insurance but they heavily sold their own insurance when we arrived to the office (we resisted). When we refused to take it out, they blocked 1200 euro from our credit card until car was returned. We also were told to return the car empty of fuel (no indication of that when booking) and were charged 85 euro for the tank (worth 50 at most). The guys ahead of me when returning were stung for 500 euro for small damage to their car. Absolute cowboys. Stick to the main companies and be careful if booking through aerlingus/ryanair sites.

ted1 · 21-07-2016 10:44am

maulnaskehy wrote: »

Thanks folks. I got a quote from Do You Spain. Did any of you ever come across these?

I wouldn't recommend them.

I'd say go with Hertz they have no hidden charges and operate a full to full fuel policy.

Keep well away from companies that don't as they make you pay for a full tank and tell you to bring it back empty.
We got a blue motion golf from hertz and after 600km it was still half full.

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Vehicle Hire queries