How To Scrimp And Save When Using A Hire Car

Thinking about hiring a vehicle for your next holiday but concerned because you’re not sure how to save? Fear not – this article will discuss a range of tips and tricks that’ll help you become an expert when it comes to saving cash. Remember, the less money you spend dealing with hire car issues, the more you’ll have to splash on your holiday!

1. Early Organisation

This goes without saying, but you’re definitely more likely to get a better vehicle hire deal if you book it in advance. Make sure you sort out how many drivers you want to register and book any additional services such as booster seats for children. Remember, having more than one driver registered on the rental agreement often comes at an additional price, so if you want to save money, try to avoid doing this.

2. Invest in Car Hire Excess Insurance

Most vehicle rental policies include a certain level of protection, but to save money effectively it’s best to have comprehensive cover. Having car hire excess insurancewill mean you’re fully covered if something goes wrong with the vehicle, be it a broken windscreen, lost keys or damaged tyres. Since most rental companies don’t include certain parts of the car in their insurance policies, many customers are left out of pocket due to unexpected repair fines that could have been covered by car hire excess insurance.

3. Know Your Stuff

It’s always a good idea to read through the rental documents carefully before you sign anything. Some companies offer more comprehensive cover than others, but it’s likely that whichever you choose, you’ll be in need of additional car hire excess insurance for full protection.

Check the documents for excess charges, additional fees or any special requirements on the return of the vehicle. Sometimes you can get fined if you don’t bring it back with a full tank of petrol or diesel, so that’s definitely something to look out for in the contract!

4. Handle Accidents Wisely

If you’re involved in an accident while in your rental vehicle, claiming money for repair costs should be a piece of cake if you’ve purchased car hire excess insurance. As long as you have all the relevant documents on hand and you make your claim within the assigned number of days, you’ll be able to pay off any charges from the rental company in no time.

Top Tip: If the accident has caused any serious damage or harm to others, it is wise to call the police.

Hopefully these tips have given you some inspiration on how you can save money during your rental. Make sure you’re organised, clued into policies and ready to handle accidents and you’re sure to have a stress free hiring experience.

Author Plate

Sam Walker is a specialist insurance expert at LowerHire, a company that offers low-cost single trip and annual multi-trip car hire excess insurance policies. Travellers can rest easy knowing they will be fully protected against any hidden hire car costs and look forward to a stress-free rental experience.