Hidden car hire costs lurking abroad

Hidden car hire costs lurking abroad

Hiring a car abroad calls for extra vigilance to stay clear of “cons and hidden costs,” writes James Salmon in the Daily Mail.

Car hire operates abroad will try to convince you to agree to all sorts of extras that you don’t need when you arrive at their airport service counter, and it’s easy to be persuaded, especially if you’re tired or have particularly if you’re jet-lagged or have irritable children in tow.

The tactics often begin with the car itself. Some agents will either try to convince you to upgrade to a larger vehicle or will try to give you a vehicle you didn’t book.

When you book a car online you typically have to choose the size of car, but unsuspecting holiday makers are sometimes told that the car won’t be large enough and they’re then advised to select a larger model, at a higher rate.

The car hire company is breaching a contract if they don’t provide you what you paid for, and you’re entitled to claim back costs exceeding what you were originally promised

Ian Crowder, AA Insurance spokesman, recommended: “Don’t get fobbed off. Refuse to pay more if they haven’t got the car you booked.”

Insurance is another issue. Holiday makers are frequently told that the insurance they paid for when booking their car online isn’t actually ‘fully comprehensive’ after all.

Consumer group Which? issued a recent report documenting that it costs up to £10 a day for a compact car for additional cover, but even with this, the roof, undercarriage, windscreen, wheels and tyres of the vehicle may not be covered. “You need to make a judgment call,” noted Mr Crowder. “You may feel that paying an extra amount to protect yourself in the unlikely event of making a claim may not be worth it.”
source-http://news.carrentals.co.uk/hidden-car-hire-costs-lurking-abroad-3422569.html