UK Car Hire

sidefx

I need to hire a car in the UK.

I have a UK drivers license, passport, bank/credit card statements for proof of ID but no Utility Bills in my name.

Are there any hire companies that only require what I have and not need a utility bill as well.

Thank you.

I am also very confused by the Excess Insurance Policy purchas suggested by MSE and the Waiver included with most rentals.
As you may realise I have never rented a car before so please don't be harsh.

Murphy_The_Cat

When I made a recent UK rental with Enterprise, they were happy with my driving licence and credit card and didn't need anything else.
For my next booking for a large SUV, they needed my passport as well for photographic ID (my old driving licence doesn't have my photo), and an additional credit card.

No bank/credit card statements & no utility bills needed.

sidefx

Murphy_The_Cat wrote: »

When I made a recent UK rental with Enterprise, they were happy with my driving licence and credit card and didn't need anything else.
For my next booking for a large SUV, they needed my passport as well for photographic ID (my old driving licence doesn't have my photo), and an additional credit card.

No bank/credit card statements & no utility bills needed.

Thank you.

After spending nearly all day researching this, it seems the likes on Enterprise, Alamo, Avis etc charge more than others. I am willing to pay the extra but I wonder why the likes of Car Del Mar, Green Motion et al (at half the cost) need a utility bill as well?

Can I ask if you buy a separate Excess Policy or take out the comprehensive insurance? After spending hours reading about it all, I really am none the wiser.

EssexExile

Try a local company, they may be more flexible. I showed a letter from the taxman last time.

Murphy_The_Cat

sidefx wrote: »

Thank you.

Can I ask if you buy a separate Excess Policy or take out the comprehensive insurance? After spending hours reading about it all, I really am none the wiser.

I took separate excess insurance.
If you book your car hire & excess insurance via someone like Quidco, you can get quite a few £ back as cashback.

richardw

sidefx wrote: »

.....Car Del Mar, Green Motion....

Have you read the reviews of the locations for these companies on google maps?

sidefx

richardw wrote: »

Have you read the reviews of the locations for these companies on google maps?

I have read reviews for most of them. What a way to spend a Sunday! But I am unsure what you mean re google maps?

richardw

Find the location of the car hire place you want to hire from on google maps, when you click on it there should be some reviews to read about that location. Green Motion appear to be the UK equivalent of Goldcar.

sidefx

richardw wrote: »

Find the location of the car hire place you want to hire from on google maps, when you click on it there should be some reviews to read about that location. Green Motion appear to be the UK equivalent of Goldcar.

My main concern is being able to hire a car with the documents I have, but I take your point.

I'll phone the rental companies direct tomorrow to check what documentation I need before I book and go through TCB/Quidco if possible.

Thank you all for your help.

richardw

sidefx wrote: »

My main concern is being able to hire a car with the documents I have..

No point being concerned about that when you should be avoiding these bad car hire places who are going to rip you off and cost you more in the long term.

I frequently hire cars in the UK and abroad and have given up dealing with not so good car hire suppliers, it ain't worth the small savings for all the hassle and poor service.

You can't beat dealing with the main well known suppliers when they are keenly priced. They also have sophisticated computer software to check your ID so you don't need to faff with utility bills etc.

AVOID Car del Mar and GREEN MOTION.

sidefx

richardw wrote: »

No point being concerned about that when you should be avoiding these bad car hire places who are going to rip you off and cost you more in the long term.

I frequently hire cars in the UK and abroad and have given up dealing with not so good car hire suppliers, it ain't worth the small savings for all the hassle and poor service.

You can't beat dealing with the main well known suppliers when they are keenly priced. They also have sophisticated computer software to check your ID so you don't need to faff with utility bills etc.

AVOID Car del Mar and GREEN MOTION.

I agree; the more research I have done and reviews I have read, the more I question why people use these agencies rather than booking direct.

As to the issue of proof of address my question was regarding whether all the suppliers needed a utility bill so it was a concern as I don't have any. I now know they don't, but as I said, I have never hired in the UK before so it was a fair question was it not?

In your opinion which of the main suppliers are the best?

Local to where I need to hire from, Enterprise has the best reviews and whilst more expensive than others I will book through them and also buy a separate Excess Policy from one of the providers recommended by MSE.