Car Hire FAQs
FAQ´S
• Are there any add-on fees in winter?
Add-on fees are normally applicable in countries which are popular for winter sports, such as Austria, Switzerland, France and Italy. Additional fees cover extra equipment which may be needed for the hire car such as snow tyres, chains etc.,
• What is a refundable excess?
Some cars are supplied with an insurance policy, which allows you to claim back any excess you are charged for accidental damage. You may be charged an excess when you pick up the vehicle, which will be refunded to you once you take the car back in the same condition. Make sure any damage/scratches etc., is recorded when you pick up the car, and always obtain a police report if you have an accident. Any excess should then be refunded.
Special Offers and Discount hire
• Will I be charged if I lose my keys?
Most car rental companies will charge you between £100 and £150 to cover the cost of replacement keys and/or remote control alarm and central locking system.
• Are there any extra charges for child and booster seats?
All car rental companies charge a daily fee for child and booster seats, and child restraint seats are required by all countries for children under 5 or less than 40lbs in weight.
• Are additional drives allowed to drive my hire car?
Some car hire companies allow one additional driver free, but most make a small charge. Each individual rental company will be able to advise you of this at the time of booking.
• Do I have to take excess car hire cover?
It is entirely up to you whether you take excess car hire cover or not, but if the vehicle is stolen or damaged, you may be liable for a hefty charge. Some car rentals companies include excess cover as part of their package, so check this out before picking up the car. You do have a choice. Excess cover can be taken with a separate insurance company if you wish.
• What does Excess actually mean?
Excess is an amount payable to the car hire company that may not be included in the Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) or Loss Damage Waiver (LDW). Excess cover is available to cover this either locally or may be booked online depending on the company.
• Does my car hire agreement include insurance?
If you are hiring a car in Europe, South Africa, Australia or New Zealand, your car rental agreement will cover Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) and Loss Damage Waiver (LDW), plus third party liability and theft. An excess may be payable on the CDW and on the theft part of the rental agreement. Some car hire companies offer a zero excess policy. If you want a zero excess policy, you need to ask at the car rentals desk when you pick up your car. If you are hiring a car in the USA, The Caribbean, South America or in many Asian countries, your policy will not include insurance. You must purchase CDW or LDW, plus liability car insurance. This can be bought at the car rental desk when you pick up the vehicle.
• How do I pay for any car hire extras?
Depending on the car hire company, extras such as roof racks, top boxes, snow chains and child seats can be paid for in advance or when you pick up the car hire vehicle.
