Over 69 car hire - penalties

oxters

We have hired a car for a one month holiday in Spain. (Holiday Autos)As usual, I use an annual insurance policy excess insurance for the items not covered.
I was aware of a possible surcharge this year after turning 70 in September. But was shocked to be hit for €200 at the hire desk. I showed the excess policy but that made no difference - no pay, no car.
I have complained to Holiday Autos and await a response, however I have booked another car hire for Geneva (skiing) in March but I think I can cancel.
Can anyone share a link to car hire for 70 and over who don't charge excessive surcharges?
Thanks

mchale

https://www.travelsupermarket.com/en-gb/car-hire/?source=MS&_ga=1.29057023.213120699.1485197240


Max age seems to be 75

zaax

This actully sound like forced car hire excess cover. Which is illegeal and I have been advised to call 112 and report it to the Local Police.

https://www.theguardian.com/money/2012/jun/15/holiday-car-hire-10-ways-avoid-being-ripped-off

Bogalot

zaax wrote: »

This actully sound like forced car hire excess cover. Which is illegeal and I have been advised to call 112 and report it to the Local Police.

https://www.theguardian.com/money/2012/jun/15/holiday-car-hire-10-ways-avoid-being-ripped-off

112 is the equivalent of our 999. It should only be used in emergency situations!

eDicky

Holiday Autos are a consolidator and did not provide the car. Who was the actual hire firm, and what do their T&Cs say? You need to pick a hire firm who does not charge extra for your age.

oxters

eDicky wrote: »

Holiday Autos are a consolidator and did not provide the car. Who was the actual hire firm, and what do their T&Cs say? You need to pick a hire firm who does not charge extra for your age.

Thank you all for your replies. Most useful. The hire co. is Record Go

We live and learn, but mchale's reply is particularly helpful. I am hopeful that Holiday Autos, who have helped previously, will be able to do something for me.

sheramber

Record Go state in their T & C that for all regions except Menorca drivers aged 70 or over need to take the Total Comfort package.

oxters

sheramber wrote: »

Record Go state in their T & C that for all regions except Menorca drivers aged 70 or over need to take the Total Comfort package.

Thanks Sheramber. An expensive lesson. Will be more careful in future. I think I used the iPhone to book it and may have missed the box for age, Holiday Autos say that 30 was in the box which is the default age. I guess I don't have a leg to stand on. 😟

slinga

Don't Saga provide insurance something or other for over 70s??

AlexMac

You were maybe lucky to get away with 200 euros!

We've rented frequently in Spain and Italy, have done for years, and never been scammed as we always use a reliable operator...

... (for the past few years AVIS/Budget, usually on their cheap BA tie-in and with theirAVIS -preferred loyalty scheme, prior to that a more reliable UK-based consolidator than holiday Autos (Carhire3000 as was; now merged with rentalcars.com), before that, HERTZ on their old Ryanair tie-in)

So in 50 rentals we've always got great cars, often free upgrades from the economy models we book, and never experienced the all too common scams; full-empty fuelling charges, hassle to buy extra insurance (we have annual excess cover), imaginary tyre, bodywork or glass damage.

AVIS are good in that they don't seem to load the over 70's by much.

Carhire3000 are good in that they identify the named local operator and their fuelling policy on the 1st page of search results...

...so you can google that operator and/or check the Tripadvisor Spain forum search bar (use a laptop- not palm device or tablet) or reviews... with sometimes horrifying results. The worst operator (clue is Car + Gold; rearrange into a single word!) gets quarter of a million complaints on google; tens of thousands on tripadvisor!

As the romans say- Caveat emptor!

I turn 70 this year so lets see