Tip's On Choosing A Hire Car

Choosing a hire car is likely to be one of them, so what tips might be offered about making your decision?

Your Budget

- There are hire cars to suit practically every budget, but typically there are also wide variations in the cost of hiring the same make and model, over the same period of time, depending on the rental company you choose.

- To help make sure that you are getting the best value for money, therefore, it may help to shop around before making your final booking.

Insurance

- The size, performance and overall value of the hire car you choose also need sufficient insurance cover to safeguard it against third party claims and accidental damage.

- The appropriate insurance is likely to be included in the hire price, but the type of car you choose may also significantly affect the excess that is applied to that cover.

- Typically, for example, the excess is between several hundred and a thousand pounds – but may be well in excess of this in the case of higher-performance or higher-end vehicles.

- It is for that reason you may be sorely tempted to buy the car hire excess insurance almost certain to be offered you by the rental company.

- Not only is this likely to significantly increase the daily cost of your hire car but even then there typically remain certain areas of the car – such as the roof, the underside, windows, wheels and tyres – which are not covered by any insurance.

- A more comprehensive alternative, therefore, maybe to buy standalone excess insurance from a specialist provider – such as us at Bettersafe – and typically secure the cover at a more competitive price.

What Car?

- The type of hire car you choose depends, of course, on your particular needs and requirements.

- Tourist Information UK, for example, points out that although you might choose a 4-seater car in an economy range, it might not have a boot that is big enough to take the luggage for the driver and passengers.

- On the other hand, choose a car that is too big for your needs and you might not only end up paying more for the appropriate level and types of insurance, but also have the expense of topping it up with fuel – which is now almost universally expensive.

- The size of the car you choose may also be influenced by the type of driving conditions you are likely to encounter.

- If you intend to be driving mostly through narrow city streets, or winding country roads, a smaller more manoeuvrable car may be more suitable.

- If it is the open road – in the United States, for example, where “compacts” are probably less favoured – you might want to choose a vehicle with space enough to stretch out your legs and a boot (the trunk) cavernous to take all of your luggage. 

Choosing the hire car that suits for needs and purposes on a business trip or holiday, therefore, maybe one of the keys to ensuring that everything goes without a hitch.