A new survey by Opinium for CarHireExcess.ie, a leading provider of car hire excess insurance, reveals 19% of hire car drivers have found damage on their rental vehicle at pick-up which is not marked on the check-out sheet.
Concerningly, 13% of drivers have been informed by rental companies that minor damage doesn’t need to be recorded, which could be risky especially when drivers can be charged for minor damage such as scuffs and scratches. One in five drivers (20%) have returned a vehicle without it being checked by the rental company.
Over a fifth (21%) say they have been concerned that a rental company would charge them for damage to a hire car that they hadn’t done. With nearly one in ten renters reporting disputes with car companies, people are being reminded to always check the vehicle thoroughly at the point of pick-up and drop-off.
The good news is that there is a lot that can be done to prevent disputes:
- Check the Vehicle and Take Photos and Video of Existing Damage – To avoid unfair damage charges, car hirers should check vehicles thoroughly at pick up, taking time-stamped photos or videos at pick-up and drop-off.
- Don’t Forget to Check the Tyres -Tyres are often overlooked, but always ensure they’re in good condition, with sufficient tread and proper inflation. Record any existing damage on the check-out sheet and avoid off-road driving, which could damage them – and cost you as this will usually be in breach of the standard terms and conditions.
- Fourteen Day Rule – To contest a damage claim made by a rental company, the hirer should query it within fourteen days with the company. Alternatively, the European Car Rental Conciliation Service (ECRCS) offers a free service to help with unresolved complaints and member companies are bound by the decision reached by the conciliation service. It will investigate whether one of its members has breached its code of practice, which includes billing, vehicle condition and before and after-inspections. Member companies of the ECRCS include Avis, Alamo, Budget, Europcar, Hertz, National Car Rental, Sixt, Firefly, Thrifty, Maggiore and Enterprise. Unfortunately, there is no equivalent body in the US.
- Avoid The Costly Scratch – Even the best driver isn’t immune – a stray shopping trolley in a supermarket car park can leave your car with a scratch that could cost hundreds to fix. To protect yourself against excess costs which can be up to €1,700**, make your travel money go further and buy excess protection from an independent provider, rather than from the car hire company.
- Don’t Pay More Than You Have To For Car Hire Excess Insurance
Rental companies offer damage waivers to cover excess amounts if a hire car is damaged. The most common types of these are super damage waiver and tyre and windscreen cover. A recent study** put the average combined cost of these waivers at almost €220**.
However, major savings can be made by purchasing a standalone car hire excess reimbursement policy from a specialist insurance provider, like CarHireExcess.ie, where a week’s protection can start from less than €25*** and includes cover for damage and theft, as well as tyre and windscreen cover.
Christian Bennett from CarHireExcess.ie says a few tips around car hire can make all the difference to the experience: “By taking a few small steps, you can avoid worrying about your car hire when you get home from holiday. It’s important to take pictures and videos of the car at pick-up and drop-off, and don’t forget your car hire excess insurance to give yourself that extra piece of mind.”
