Hiring a car abroad: my experience with car hire comparison sites
It was whilst looking into this further that I turned to specialist comparison sites and brokers rather than visiting the websites of traditional car hire companies one by one, for most of my destinations.
There is, however, one exception to my routine: when the destination allows it, I book directly through Jumbo Car Rental, a rental company that brings together its own branches in several countries on a single website. It’s neither a comparison site nor a broker, but simply a way of finding the same brand and terms and conditions that I’m already familiar with from one destination to the next, without having to search for a new local rental company each time. I know that the lowest price sometimes hides the highest excesses, so whether I use a comparison site or book directly with a rental company, doing this groundwork beforehand saves me quite a few nasty surprises once I’m there.
What I check before confirming a booking
Over time, I’ve gradually developed a little routine. I always start by checking the excess amount in the event of damage, as this is often the factor that makes the real difference between two offers that seem similar at first glance. I also pay close attention to the fuel policy: I much prefer ‘full-to-full’ arrangements, which are simpler to comply with, to certain policies that require you to return the vehicle with a specific fuel level – something that’s difficult to estimate at the petrol station just before returning the car.
I also think it’s important to read carefully the terms relating to the driver’s age and how long they’ve held their licence, as additional charges frequently apply for young drivers, though this isn’t always highlighted on the first page of the booking. I invariably come across this sort of detail in the terms and conditions rather than in the offer summary, which confirms that you should never book solely on the basis of the advertised price.
The property inspection – a step I never rush through
I know that many travellers in a hurry sign the handover form without really looking at it, and that’s precisely when I take my time the most. I always walk round the vehicle with my mobile phone to film every existing scratch, including those that seem insignificant. This habit has saved me from a dispute on my return on more than one occasion, when previous damage had simply been incorrectly noted on the paper document handed over at the counter.
My thoughts on the benefits of using a broker
All in all, I think that using a broker rather than booking directly offers a real advantage when travelling to a country you don’t know well: it gives you a basis for comparing several local car hire companies, some of which would otherwise be difficult to identify from abroad. I wouldn’t say this solution suits every type of traveller, particularly those who have a loyalty card with a major chain and already benefit from favourable terms, but for a one-off hire in a new destination, I find it a sensible approach.
What I’ve learnt above all from my various car hire experiences is that no rate is worth choosing without first reading the terms and conditions that go with it. A slightly higher price accompanied by a reasonable excess almost always seems preferable to a ‘bait-and-switch’ offer that makes up for it later through extra charges.
By M Miora
Image credit Pexels
