Hiring a car abroad

[Cammy]

Anyone got any tips for doing this in Spain. I did it before but got stung on arrival with extra insurance and paid for a full tank of fuel up front. Is there any firms that you just pay for the fuel you actually use?

[djs]

Hi Cammy.

I hired a car in Spain recently. I took out a £7 policy (in the UK) which covered me for the "excess" which is one of the tricks the companies pull.

Although I can't comment on all companies, mine handed me with a car with a full tank. I had to return it with a full tank. There is a problem with this, because if you fill it up more than 5 miles from the airport, the "digital" display on most Seats (that's the car, not where you park your behoochie) will read 9/10. Then you get charged £79.99 to fill it up.

Just got to be careful.

I got a deal with my airline. Not the absolute cheapest, but cheaper than hiring from the aeropuerto and less risky than many online companies.

I got an AVIS car. They didn't mess me around at all, worked out perfect.

[Cammy]

Aye, I've been reading up on the excess insurance. Some firms state you are insured but neglect to tell you the excesses are astronomical. I've spied a couple of companies that have either no excess or offer reasonably priced excess insurance. I think with a little more research on these i may just go for one of them. They charge you initially to fill the tank and you give it back to them 'empty'.

Cue the Cammy family driving round and round the airport before returning the car to use up all the fuel... Ha ha I'll show them what an empty tank is!!

[djs]

I'll get back to you with more on this Cammy, got to dash mate.

[DiscoDes]

Cammy, I do this a fair bit and I have a couple of tips I use these 2 brokers to get the best deal a they collate all the rental companies quotes : www.rentalcars.com/ and www.carjet.com/

I use this site to get my top up insurance, as I go more than once a year I get a annual policy which is about £38.00 www.moneymaxim.co.uk/comparisons/car-hire-insurance?id=46775

I just hired a "VW Polo or similar" from Hertz (pick up from airport) for £109 - for a week in April. With a "full/full" fuel policy.

Which airport do you fly into?

I don't do a bus transfer to pick the car up as it's a PITA.

[nicky]

Only did it once and drove the wrong way round a roundabout.................not easy when you're on the other side of the road !!

[Karma]

Feb 3, 2013 19:36:04 GMT nicky said:

Only did it once and drove the wrong way round a roundabout.................not easy when you're on the other side of the road !!

That's exactly why I will not drive abroad

[Cammy]

Ha ha. - last time I drove the wrong way round a UK roundabout when we got home!!

[nicky]

Feb 3, 2013 20:04:22 GMT Cammy said:

Ha ha. - last time I drove the wrong way round a UK roundabout when we got home!!

That's worse than me ! i did it in Majorca.