Car Hire tips

It makes sense to hire a car in Europe using your Visa card.  It guarantees the vehicle for you. And if the hire company don’t have the right car, they must provide an equivalent, or upgrade you to a better one.

Plus, if you damage the car during your rental period, the hire company must write, fax or e-mail you within at least ten working days before they can charge you extra. This gives you more time to hopefully resolve the situation.

Before you hire:

• The car hire company must post, fax or e-mail you a copy of your reservation confirmation along with all your details, including cancellation options and no-show fees.
• Check that you have the appropriate level of insurance, as you may be liable for the full cost of any damage. And bring copies of your insurance details when you collect the car.
• Don’t want the car anymore? Then get a cancellation code from the car hire company. Your agent will do this if you’d booked through them. Remember to cancel by the time specified in the company’s terms. Or you may be charged for one day’s rental plus taxes, or the full rental cost.
• If you find that you’ve still been charged, despite having a cancellation code, contact your bank or card issuer. They may be able to reverse it. Any credit will then appear on your card statement.

During and after the hire period:

• If you have an accident, call the local police to register it, or your insurance may be invalid.
• If you return the car – free of damage – during the hire company’s normal business hours, you can get on-the-spot written confirmation of the car’s status.
• If you have damaged the vehicle and you return the car outside of the hire company’s normal business hours, take high-quality photographs of the damage as evidence.