How to Avoid 7 Car Hire Rip-Offs
When you rent a car service San Francisco for a holiday, exploration and discovery are yours. Without a little planning, it is possible to end up spending a lot more than you bargained for. These are the top seven car rental scams.
1. Sky-high excess costs
Insurance is included when you rent a San Francisco car service. However, you might be surprised to learn that insurance comes with high excess fees. These are the charges you pay to cover any accident costs before your policy kicks in. In some cases, this amount can reach PS2,000. This could leave you out of pocket in the event that something goes wrong.
2. The ‘fully empty’ fuel policy
It’s not the best way to start a vacation. Many car rental companies offer a “full-empty” policy, which allows you to pay upfront for petrol and then return it empty.
However, there are two problems with such a policy. The first is that you may be charged a higher price for petrol. If you are on a short drive or don’t plan to drive a lot, you might not be able to use all of the petrol you have paid. You may be eligible for a refund on fuel used, but you will usually have to pay a service fee.
You should look for car rental companies that permit you to return your vehicle with the same fuel level as when you picked it up. This is commonly known as a fair fuel policy. This policy is standard on all car rentals that TravelSupermarket compares, so you can rest assured you won’t run out of money.
3. The ‘upgrade’ option
You may find out that the company is out of vehicles for the vehicle you have pre-booked. If this happens, the agent will offer you an istanbul escorts upgrade.
Do not fall for it. Either a higher-category vehicle should offered to you at no additional cost or a lower one with the appropriate reimbursement. Before you sign the contract, make sure it is true.
4. You could be paying extra for things you don’t need
Do you want to use a sat-nav while driving abroad? Or do you think you will need a baby chair? You can use a sat-nav when driving abroad, but you shouldn’t rent them from a car rental company. It will be less expensive to bring your own.
Charter airlines do not charge extra to allow you to bring car seats and pushchairs if you are traveling internationally. Many sat-navs also cover the UK and Europe.
Consider purchasing additional software if your satnav is not available outside of the UK. You can also use Google Maps offline. You can download the map for the area you are traveling to, and get a free satellite navigation system. You can always print a paper map if all else fails.
5. Buying at the Desk
It’s easy to forget to hire a Sonoma wine tours car rental when you get to your destination. There are so many things to do before your holiday. Booking a vehicle online in advance will help you save money and allow you to spend more on the things you love.
You also run the risk of getting a vehicle that is not suitable if you make a booking at the airport or another pick-up location, such as in a city center. Peak season, for instance, can cause high demand.
6. Unexpected charges once you get back home
It’s normal to expect to come back from vacation with a lighter purse. But it can be frustrating to discover that you have had extra charges on your credit card for something you didn’t pay. Car rental companies will charge you more if they claim that the vehicle has damaged or that the fuel was not used.
You can protect yourself by inspecting the vehicle before you take it home and return it. Also, ask for a receipt to prove that it is in good condition and has the correct amount of petrol. You should also keep all contracts, documents, and other evidence (such as photos of your vehicle) in case you need to dispute any unexpected charges.
7. Hidden charges
To ensure that there are no hidden fees or exclusions, make sure you read all terms and conditions. For example, some car rental companies charge extra for a driver who has been driving for less than four years. Others charge more to include a second driver. Some companies – we are referring to the most unscrupulous operators – might try to sneak hidden fees such as their insurance policies onto your contract. This contract must signed before you can leave. Make sure you are clear about all fees and items.
Others will charge an “admin fee” for any theft or damage to your car, even if you have an excess waiver policy. It’s most important to do your research before hiring a car.
