Renting cars is complicated and pricey. There are several pitfalls for travellers to watch out for
Ruth Jackson-Kirby Money columnist
If you are planning to hire a car for your summer holiday this year, there is good news. Prices are falling. Research by consumers’ group Which has found that prices have fallen by 47% in a year. But there are still plenty of expensive traps you need to avoid when renting a car. The process begins with deciding when to book your car rental. Booking early is key, says Nick Trend in The Telegraph. “Typically, people book their hire cars only a couple of weeks or so ahead. But if you are planning a peak-time holiday, the normal rule is that the earlier you book, the more likely you are to get a reasonable deal.”
Make sure you shop around and check prices with several brokers – Trend recommends Zest and Auto Europe. And don’t just consider the price. “Look beyond the headline price and check reviews on sites such as Google, Tripadvisor and Trustpilot,” says George Nixon in The Sunday Times. You want a combination of a fair price and good service. Now, watch out – there’s a trap waiting for you. Prices for car hire can fluctuate wildly, so you want a deal you can cancel if you see a better offer, but also one that requires a deposit. The Sunday Times gives the example of a week’s car rental in July from Dalaman airport in Turkey. It cost £467 if you booked in January, £360 in April and £508 in May.
Avoid a penalty
“Because prices change so much, booking early is still a good strategy – but only if you can find a deal that lets you cancel without a penalty so you can grab a better price if you see one,” says Nixon. Why the deposit? “Sometimes – if demand is high – unscrupulous suppliers who knew that they could sell cars at higher prices have been known to cancel bookings made without a deposit so that they can re-sell them for a higher profit,” says Trend.
When you are booking also check the insurance your car will come with. “Standard insurance sold with cars doesn’t cover Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) and theft protection excesses,” says Trend. “These are the amounts you have to pay if you have an accident, or the car is stolen, and they are now very high, typically €1,000.” Avoid the risk of paying these charges by taking out a
