Never rented a car before, what can go wrong.

hardpressed

I'm temped by Hertz weekend rental at £22 approx. As the title says I've never rented before and don't want to be caught out. I'm visiting friends for a few days, going by train, they don't have a car so renting for the weekend would be useful. What should I look out for. The website say Collision Damage Waver is included and theft protection. I can't see what I would be liable for if I had a bang. Can anyone advise, please?

ZootHornRollo

there will be some level of excess to pay, probably around £250-300.

They will also hold you responsible for the slightest mark on the car whilst in your care. so if your going to any public car parks i'd park as far away from other motorists as possible. you will probably read a few horror stories on here about people returning hire cars only to get charged a few hundred quid for a small carpark ding or a stone chip

balsingh

firstly, try and find one of those £22 deals. I have been looking for ages and the cheapest I found was £60.

CDW may be included but I am pretty sure you still have some element of excess ... usually between £100 and £500 dependig on the company. I know National/Alamo take £500 against your card. Not sure about Hertz. If you want to eliminate the excess completely, you will have to pay more.

Otherwise, I cant see any extra costs. Just check the car over fully and make sure any fault, dent or scratch is noted so they cant hold you responsible afterwards.

MX5huggy

Make sure the car is full of fuel when you pick it up and return it full. Else they will either charge a very high price per liter, or charge you for a full tank when it only needs half or somthing.

Hintza

Just to emphasise what others have said, go over the car with a fine tooth comb with the company before you leave and ensure any ding or scratch on the body work and wheels has been noted. Also check all glass for chips or cracks.

On one car I hired I manged to get every panel (except roof) marked as scratched or dinged.

On anther occasion I hired a pretty badly scratched car in Italy and was about to moan and ask for a replacement when OH pointed out the benefits to us, no one could tell if we added any more . Mind you in Italy driving is a full contact sport....lol.

If you get a puncture probably best getting it repaired, if unrepairable it might be cheaper for you to replace like for like than waiting for the inflated bill.

steveo3002

yep go over it very very well and mark down all damage however minor , check the wheels for scuffs too

then treat it as if it were your own and park carefully to try and avoid door dingers etc

espresso

hardpressed wrote: »

What should I look out for. The website say Collision Damage Waver is included and theft protection. I can't see what I would be liable for if I had a bang. Can anyone advise, please?

You need to look at the excess for the collision waver insurance. This can be over £500 but can be removed by paying an additional daily fee of say £10 - £12, then you would be liable for nothing. The choice is yours as they say.

njsb14

You might want to consider Daily Excess by Insurance 4 car hire, mentioned many times on this site. It is only £3.99 per day versus £10 to £12 from car hire company

I use their annual policy, but think you have to rent over 150km from your home address on the annual policy.

Looking at their site Daily Excess - Insurance 4 car hire the Daily Excess policy doesn't appear to have the same limitation on distance from home as the annual policy.

One of the main benefit's is that it covers window and tyre damage which most rental companies don't cover even with the rental companies super-excess cover.

harveybobbles

Book a Laguna for the weekend. It's free!

Crabman

harveybobbles wrote: »

Book a Laguna for the weekend. It's free!

Looks like this has ended: http://www.renault24td.co.uk/

However, Lexus are now offering a 48hr test drive: http://www.experiencelexus.co.uk/

harveybobbles

Can't have the IS F on that tho!

Shame!!!!!