Cheap car hire article discussion

Alan_Bowen

A quick search shows very mixed reviews, many complaining that the London phone number is never answered, it may of course not exist as the address given is a residential flat and not an office at all. When things sound too cheap there is usually a catch, in this case, they claim to be based in Florida and the likelihood is that the price includes no insurance at all as US citizens use their own insurance or credit card coverage and don't expect rental companies to provide cover. I suggest you look very carefully at what is being offered

salamicat

Kefalonia one week in June, any car hire recommendations or go for the big worldwide rental companies?

dmatkuk

Hi.
I'm pretty new to car hire. I have booked car hire for a 2 week holiday in Spain this summer. I have also taken out Excess Waiver insurance. 

I am a little confused with regards to how much this covers and if I need any of the insurance from the hire company. When collecting the car, do I simply refuse their insurance, pay the large deposit and then any potential damage costs would be claimed on my insurance, or do I have to at least take their minimal insurance policy when collecting?

Many thanks in advance

Dan

eDicky

You're basically correct Dan. Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) insurance will be included in the hire price, with a substantial excess, which you have covered with the separate insurance. The excess amount will be pre-authorised on your card, and only taken if damage is found on return of the car. (Check very carefully that every slight blemish is noted on the damage report before taking the car.) At pickup the agent is very likely to try and sell you the hire firm's own expensive excess cover, which you must firmly refuse without entering into any discussion, your own excess arrangement is none of their business. In case of any damage at return, obtain an invoice before leaving the desk if possible.

middlewife

Just saved 150 Euros by cancelling and rebooking with Budget for 3 day hire in Killarney late August.  Managed to upgrade from compact 4 door to SUV . Unfortunately will have to take their extortionate cdw waiver policy as my newly acquired credit card won't cover me for the ridiculous 2000 euro excess !!!!

FiveASide

In April this year I booked to hire a car from Argus Car Hire for a wedding in Scotland in July. When we arrived at the airport we went to the Hertz desk as instructed and provided the booking documentation. I was then strangely asked for my debit card (not used for the booking) and id. The agent used this to perform a "Security check". I was then informed that this had failed but no reason could be given. Basically, "Computer says no". So after some discussion and being instructed to cancel the booking, we had to hire a taxi at £48 to get to our hotel.

I contacted Argus Car Hire and they have refused to issue a refund by quoting their condition "The card must be in the first name and surname (no abbreviations) of the lead driver and must be presented at the rental desk.". This is strange given that the credit card used for the original purchase was never inspected at the Hertz desk.

I have since checked, and their online form requires the name on the card to be entered at the time of booking and payment. If there is an issue with the name, the transaction should have failed at this point, not at the Hertz desk 3 months later when they have my money.

So basically, do not go near Argus Car Hire but use a reputable company or broker instead. Which? has examples and I wish I had followed that advice. 

FiveASide

Further to this I raised a dispute with my credit card company and they initially refunded the deposit but after further investigation this was withdrawn. On enquiring with the bank Argus are claiming that we were a "No Show"!

When I checked the Argus definition of No Show, it is as follows:

What is a no-show?
A 'no-show' occurs for the following reasons:

1 - You didn't inform us about your cancellation prior to your pick-up time.
2 - You failed to pick up the car at the arranged time and date.
3 - You failed to provide the documentation that's required to pick up the car.
4 - You failed to provide a credit card in the main driver's name with enough available funds on it.

In the event of any of the above, no refunds will be made to you.

The car hire company reserves the right to refuse a car if you fail to arrive on time with all necessary documentation and a credit card with enough available funds for the car's security deposit. In such a case, unless the car hire has been cancelled at least 48 hours in advance, you will not be entitled to a refund

I can only guess that they class me in item #3 due to the my first name being abbreviated on the credit card.

As mentioned before, if it was so important for the full name to appear on the credit card the initial payment should not have been accepted. They broke their own terms and conditions by accepting payment. They are as follows:

A valid credit card in the first name and surname (no abbreviations) of the lead driver must be presented at the rental desk in order to pre-authorise/charge a deposit. Please be prepared to provide the PIN number of the credit card(s) presented as suppliers could require this to proceed with the rental contract.

In the event that you fail to present a valid credit card, there is a lack of sufficient funds available on the credit card or the credit card is not in the lead driver's name, the car rental agent may refuse to release the vehicle. In these instances, no funds paid will be reimbursed.

Do not consider this company if you intend to hire a car. I have hired many cars over the years and have never experienced anything like this.

bargainbarrett

I have just returned from Italy having hired a car via Discover from a company called Surprice although the car had stickers from Autoone. When we arrived the salesman was telling the previous family that because they didnt have an International Driving permit, they had to pay for insurance. The salesman said that this was due to Brexit and an arrangement had ceased on 1st Jan 2024. I checked gov.uk and couldn’t find anything mentioning this. We also had the same problem and ended up being charged over 350 euros for insurance for 7 days. I asked an Italian at the hotel to check the Italian gov website and again it isnt a legal thing. It states quite clearly that you need a UK licence to drive or hire a car in Italy.
When we checked the small print on the booking information, there is a tiny clause saying that if you are not a citizen of the EU you need an IDP. Of course I hadn’t read that. But it seems that this is a company policy rather than a legal requirement. Does anyone have any further knowledge of this?

frustin

Does the insurance normally cover stolen cars?

Bonhomie

frustin said:

Does the insurance normally cover stolen cars?

Yes. Of course you will need a police report prior to making a claim.