Hiring a car is one of the best ways to explore a destination, giving you the freedom to discover hidden beaches, little villages and places you might otherwise miss. But car hire insurance can add a surprising amount to the cost of your holiday.
BUY ANNUAL CAR HIRE INSURANCE
We use companies such as Cover4Rentals to arrange annual car hire excess insurance before we go away.
You can often buy a 12-month policy for around the same price as a hire company might charge for just one week's additional insurance. If you take more than one holiday a year, the savings can be considerable.
Check what's covered, including damage to tyres, wheels, windscreens and the underside of the vehicle. Remember that excess insurance usually reimburses eligible charges rather than removing the excess at the rental desk, so check the policy conditions and the hire company's deposit requirements.
CHOOSE A SMALLER CAR
Don't automatically go for the biggest or fanciest car available. When exploring places such as Greece, narrow village streets and tight parking spaces can make a large vehicle more of a liability than a luxury.
A smaller car is usually easier to manoeuvre, easier to park and often cheaper to run.
PHOTOGRAPH YOUR HIRE CAR
Before driving away, take plenty of photographs or, even better, a video of the entire vehicle.
Check for scratches, dents, damaged wheels, windscreens and any existing marks. Make sure everything is recorded on the rental agreement before leaving.
Do exactly the same when returning the car. Keep your photographs, paperwork and rental agreement until the deposit has been returned and everything is settled.
OUR TOP TIPS
- Arrange annual excess insurance before travelling.
- Check the policy exclusions and cover limits.
- Make sure you have enough credit available for the rental deposit.
- Choose a car suitable for your destination.
- Photograph or video the car when collecting it.
- Record all existing damage on the paperwork.
- Photograph the car again when returning it.
FINAL THOUGHTS
A little preparation before you travel can save you a surprising amount of money. We'd much rather spend our holiday budget enjoying a lovely lunch overlooking the Greek coastline than handing over extra money at a car hire desk!
Sort out your insurance, choose a sensible-sized car and remember to take those photographs. Three simple things that can make hiring a car considerably less stressful.
This is our own experience, not financial advice. Policies and prices vary, so always read the terms before you buy.