Hiring a car when you’re abroad can come with a range of terms and conditions that you wouldn’t necessarily expect from domestic car hire. Above all, it is vital to make sure that you are armed with all the necessary information before you travel.
The first question that many travellers ask is whether they should accept the car hire provided in their package deal or whether they should make their own arrangements. Ultimately, there are advantages and disadvantages to both scenarios and you will need to consider the facts before making an informed decision.
On the one hand, if your tour operator is ABTA bonded then they will have to abide by certain conditions and you will certainly have peace of mind when making your booking. However, you will also be paying your operator’s commission within the hire charge itself so you may not be getting the cheapest deal.
If you are thinking of arranging your own overseas car hire then you will need to book as early as possible. These days, demand for car rental whilst abroad is higher than ever as tourism to countries such as Spain and France reaches record levels.
It’s almost certain that you will be able to arrange some form of hire but you may not be offered the vehicle of your choice. If you are given an economy hatchback when you have a large family then that could be a serious problem.
On arrival at your hirer’s office, you may on occasion be informed that your desired vehicle isn’t available and you may be offered an upgrade. This could be an attempt to squeeze a little extra money so don’t be tempted to cave in if you feel you are being held to ransom.
If the car hire firm are not providing you with the vehicle that’s been promised then they are in clear breach of contract. Insist on the vehicle that you booked or demand that the upgrade is free.
As a final check before you drive away, be certain that you have checked the car inside and out for signs of any damage. Even the tiniest of faults should be recorded on the hirer’s inventory and this will give you clear peace of mind that you won’t be held liable for another driver’s errors.
You will also need to be clear on the hirer’s fuelling policy: In most cases you will be given a full tank of petrol and be asked to return it in the same condition and this is usually the cheapest and fairest way for all parties. However, you should check as to where the nearest filling station is in order that you make sure the tank is as full as possible before the car is returned.
Thankfully, the majority of overseas car hire providers have gone out of their way to produce transparent contracts that are fair for all concerned. Making yourself aware of all the potential pitfalls just guards you against any possible problems at a later date.
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