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Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Car Hire Companies, How To Choose The Best  

The car hire process often befuddles travellers and with such a large amount of paperwork to be completed this is totally understandable. Of vital importance for the consumer is to find a great price and a service that is efficient and practical. The first step however is to assess your own needs, once an idea of these needs is gained it is simple to find the right car hire company that can provide the best service.

As with anything in life cost is always a consideration. Care however should be taken; the cheapest company does not always bear a direct correlation to the most effective service. The type of car being hired is normally the largest determining factor in the calculation of costs. Whether this car has air conditioning, a roof rack or even an automatic transmission are all factors that will contribute to the cost.

When looking for the best deal a multi-directional approach should always be taken. The quoted price is not always a representation of the eventual price, many companies will add on mileage costs as well as fines for late returns or damage. Hence it is important as a consumer to make a detailed inspection of the small print, and any charges that may be added to the rental agreement.

When booking the hire car it is usually important to consider exactly who will be using the vehicle. If there is more than one driver it is advisable to add this person to the agreement, if you do not the insurance that comes with the package will undoubtedly be invalidated. This will normally cost a little extra although some companies will put additional drivers onto the agreement without charging extra, as always it is worth investigating.

It is vitally important to recognise your own needs when hiring a vehicle. If you require a larger vehicle research a number of different companies to see which will have a suitable range. Additionally for those who are travelling with children it is often advisable to see if the company will hire child seats to customers, in many parts of Europe it is a legal obligation to ensure all small children have appropriate seating arrangements.

When booking a hire car the consumer is often given numerous insurance options with the vehicle. While insurance is a necessity it is important to study your own insurance cover before paying for any extras. In some cases the credit card used to purchase the hire car will have insurance included although it is worth reading the small print to ensure that cover is obtained before heading out on an onward journey.

As previously stated fines and penalties can make a cheap car hire experience far more expensive. Hence as a customer it is important not to give the car hire company any reason to add fines. This can easily be done by ensuring the car is returned on time and with a full tank. In terms of damage, by making a detailed check of the vehicle for any dents or scratches before departure and giving this report to the representative it is possible to gain an assurance that no damage penalties will be applied on the vehicle 's return.

It is hoped that this article has given consumers some essential information on the car hire process. It is through the heeding of this advice that an enjoyable experience can be secured. Ultimately it is about balancing the costs and services when considering companies, through a careful and conscientious approach this should be possible.

About the Author

Travel expert Thomas Pretty gives consumer advice so customers can have the greatest car hire experience at a excellent price.

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