Travel Guides

Top 10 tips for hiring a car abroad

If you plan to hire a car abroad this summer, follow our top 10 tips to avoid disaster.

Whether you’re planning a scenic drive along the coast or a crazy road trip across America, make sure you hire a car from a reputable company and follow our top tips to make sure your holiday car hire runs smoothly.

1. Hire online

It’s easy to book your car hire online and booking in advance gives you plenty of time to read through all the relevant documents.

2. Make sure you know what you’re signing

Read all of the car hire documents carefully, paying close attention to the details, and make sure you fully understand the contract before signing.

3. Get what you pay for

If you have paid in advance then make sure you get the size and type of car that you have booked, don’t let the hire company downgrade you.

4. Inspect your carriage

Before you leave the car hire firm make sure you check the vehicle fully for damage. If there are damages, however minor, report them to the company and get signed confirmation. This will avoid blame being placed on you when you return the car.

5. Check the insurance

To avoid massive upfront costs if you do have a crash, always check the level of insurance and importantly, the excess on the policy – some excesses can be over £1,000. You can purchase a damage waiver which reduces your liability but this will add around £80 to a weeks hire.

6. Watch out for exclusions

Make sure you know what is and is not covered by your insurance. Exclusions on hire car policies can include the windscreen, wheels, tyres and roof.

7. Watch out for extras

Some car hire companies will add Personal Accident Insurance to your policy automatically. This is about £5 extra per day but is actually unnecessary if you already have adequate travel insurance.

8. Check your bill

Check you card bill when you get home and ensure that you have not been overcharged for products you did not receive or fuel that you didn’t use.

9. Learn the laws

It’s a good idea to familiarise yourself with the driving laws of the country you are visiting – including local speed limits and which side of the road they drive on.

10. Plan your trip

If you can, get hold of relevant maps before you travel and plan your route thoroughly, this should reduce holiday navigational stress.