Late fees for Centauro car rental in Sardinia

itm2

We've booked a car rental with Zest for a Centauro car at Olbia airport next month. The pickup and collection times are the same. As we have a long drive to the airport on the final day of our trip, there is a risk that we may arrive a little late (although obviously we would leave plenty of time for the journey).
Changing the booking now to extend the duration by just one hour would cost the same as a full day of extra rental, which seems extravagant if we only want to cover the risk of a late arrival.
Am I right in saying that, if we leave the booking as it is, the worst that can happen is that we get there an hour late and get charged for an extra day anyway? So it would be pointless to extend the booking duration just in case we're late?

pinkshoes

Well their T&Cs say:

Failure to return the vehicle on the specified date and time will result in the lapse of insurance cover. The car rental provider will also charge you directly for any additional time at a higher rate.

So basically you're not insured if you go over your booking time. Driving without insurance is a criminal offence...

So I suggest leaving ridiculously early to make sure you do get back in time, extending, or staying somewhere nearer?

user1977

pinkshoes said:

Well their T&Cs say:

Failure to return the vehicle on the specified date and time will result in the lapse of insurance cover. The car rental provider will also charge you directly for any additional time at a higher rate.

So basically you're not insured if you go over your booking time. Driving without insurance is a criminal offence...

Yes, but I would presume that even in Italy, car hire companies will be required to maintain third party insurance no matter what the hire period is. So if anything it probably means any insurance for the benefit of the OP.

MyRealNameToo

itm2 said:

We've booked a car rental with Zest for a Centauro car at Olbia airport next month. The pickup and collection times are the same. As we have a long drive to the airport on the final day of our trip, there is a risk that we may arrive a little late (although obviously we would leave plenty of time for the journey).
Changing the booking now to extend the duration by just one hour would cost the same as a full day of extra rental, which seems extravagant if we only want to cover the risk of a late arrival.
Am I right in saying that, if we leave the booking as it is, the worst that can happen is that we get there an hour late and get charged for an extra day anyway? So it would be pointless to extend the booking duration just in case we're late?

You need to read the terms you agreed to. 

In hire firms I've used there would be a significant difference between the two. If you extend it now the rate you pay will be based on the total duration, longer hires pay lower prices, whereas if you are late returning it you pay the price as if it had been a one day hire, so notably more expensive. Plus there is often an admin fee to pay in addition to the extra days hire at the higher rate. 

eskbanker

Check the terms for any grace period for late returns - some won't levy additional charges if returning within a reasonable tolerance, e.g. half an hour or even an hour after the specified time, and even if this isn't guaranteed in published terms you might find some onsite discretion if there are abnormal traffic conditions, etc.

sheramber

user1977 said:

pinkshoes said:

Well their T&Cs say:

Failure to return the vehicle on the specified date and time will result in the lapse of insurance cover. The car rental provider will also charge you directly for any additional time at a higher rate.

So basically you're not insured if you go over your booking time. Driving without insurance is a criminal offence...

Yes, but I would presume that even in Italy, car hire companies will be required to maintain third party insurance no matter what the hire period is. So if anything it probably means any insurance for the benefit of the OP.

Risky  to presume. Need to confirm.