Indigo Car Hire > Articles by: Robert Gillespie

Car Hire In Finland With Winter Tyres

November 24, 2019 Finland, News, Winter, winter car rental Comments Off on Car Hire In Finland With Winter Tyres
Hiring A car in Holland with Winter Tyres

About Finland

Finland attracted nearly 7 million tourists last year, with walking trails, impressive cathedrals and it is even home to Santa. There is plenty to see and with a lot of ski resorts it’s easy to tie in visiting Santa with your skiing holiday.

Finland is at its best in Winter,if you are hiring a car at this time of year, you need to make sure you are abiding by the laws. To give you peace of mind we have collated all the information you will need to know when hiring a car in Winter and compiled it into one blog. Below is all the information you will need to know about winter tyres, snow chains and ski racks.

Is it a legal requirement to have winter tyres in Finland?

Yes, it is a legal requirement to have winter tyres equipped between 1st December and 1st March. If you hire a car, the good news is that you don’t have to worry about what tyres your vehicle has. Suppliers will fit all cars with winter tyres in the months that they are legally required and the cost of this will already be included in the full price of your rental.

Do I need snow chains in Finland?

No, it is not a legal requirement to carry snow chains when you are driving in Finland. For this reason, we do not have snow chains available to rent when you book your car.

What Else Do I Need To Consider?

If you are going to be bringing your skis with you, you will need to find a way to transport your skis wherever you go. The easiest way to do this is to rent a ski rack when you book, this costs 100 EUR for the duration of the rental. Ski racks can only hold 2 sets of skis, if you need to carry more than 2 sets, it might be easier to hire a larger vehicle and keep the rest of the skis in the car. If you have any questions regarding ski car hire, do not hesitate to get in touch with our team.

If you plan to make use of our cross border car hire offer, make sure that you research the laws of any country you are going to travel in. Any extra requirements must be made when booking the car or you must make alternative arrangements before you reach the country. If you do break the law in another country it could cause your insurance to be void and you might end up getting in trouble with the local law enforcement.

We always think it is best to call us if you would like to book a car, especially if you have specific needs for your car hire. Our team of experts are more than happy to help with any questions to make sure you have the smoothest car hire experience possible. Contact us today!

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Car Hire For Under 21 Year Olds

November 21, 2019 Car Hire Offers, young driver No comments yet
Car Leasing For 21 Year Olds

How old do you have to be to hire a car?

Interested in car hire for under 21s? We can arrange this for you, however the requirements are:

  • You must have a full UK licence & held it for at least a year
  • You have to be at least 18 or over
  • You may be subject to a daily young driver surcharge
  • You will be limited to a range of smaller vehicles
  • Contact us directly

If you want to find out more about this offer, please continue reading below:

How to rent a car under 21

Some car rental companies will not allow you hire a car if you are under 21 years old. Even when you find a company that does, the additional fee involved with being a young driver can impact the cost of the rental significantly, which reflects the extra risk to the insurers. If you are still looking for under 21 car rental, Indigo Car Hire can help, we will always try and find you the best overall deal.

Where can I hire a car as an under 21 year old?

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Under 21 car hire in the UK?

Unfortunately we can not offer car hire to anyone under the age of 21 in the UK. However, we have options across the UK for drivers who are 21 or older. If you would like more information young driver car hire in the UK, contact us directly.

Not every supplier is able to offer car hire for under 21 year old drivers. If younger than 21 and want to hire a car with us then its advised that you call us directly as we will be able to deal with your request manually. If you book online and you are under 21, we can’t ensure that you get the right supplier. As a result, you may be stuck unable to hire a car, so MAKE SURE YOU CALL! You can reach us on +44 (0)113 880 0748. Take full advantage of this offer and book with us straight away!

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Car Hire With Free GPS

November 20, 2019 Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, France Offers, Germany, Holland, Netherlands, Switzerland Comments Off on Car Hire With Free GPS
Car hire with free GPS

Car Hire With A Free GPS

One of the questions we are asked most here at Indigo is whether our rental cars include a GPS. While travelling in a new country is exciting, it’s important to know where you’re going to be able to make the most of your trip – which is likely why this is one of our most requested extras.

With most rental companies, a GPS is charged as an additional extra – and with most suppliers charging per day, the cost can soon add up. However, we have managed to secure a deal with our suppliers to offer FREE GPS in some European locations, meaning that customers travelling in the following locations can find their way around, without the fuss and without the fee:

This option guarantees you will receive a vehicle with a built in GPS, rather than an additional device which can be often be tricky to use. There are other alternatives when renting, such as using a mobile phone – however a vehicle with an inbuilt GPS means you get to avoid any extra roaming charges and still enjoy exploring a new city with ease, at no extra cost.

Car hire with a free GPS is only available in certain locations through us directly (not available online) and supply will be limited. If you’re travelling in any of these locations and a free GPS is an absolute must-have for your rental, contact our reservations team – they will be happy to do all the legwork to find you the best possible rental deal and help your trip go smoothly.

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Car Hire In Switzerland With Winter Tyres

November 11, 2019 Switzerland, winter car rental Comments Off on Car Hire In Switzerland With Winter Tyres
Hiring A Car In Germany With Winter Tyres

Throughout the year Switzerland is visited by millions of tourists. Most people visit in the Winter to ski on the many slopes that the country has to offer. Even if you visit for skiing, it is likely you will travel about to see everything else Switzerland has to offer.

If you are going skiing, there is a high chance you are travelling during the winter. To make sure you are complying with the law, we have gathered all the information you will need when hiring a car in Switzerland in the Winter. Everything you need to know regarding winter tyres, snow chains and ski racks can be found below.

Are Winter Tyres A Legal Requirement In Switzerland?

Yes, between November and March, winter tyres are compulsory in Switzerland. Luckily for you, they are included in the cost of the rental and are equipped as standard, so you don’t need to worry about them.

Do I Need Snow Chains In Switzerland?

Yes, some roads require snow chains in order to be driven on. If you do not have snow chains, you will not be able to continue your journey and will have to drive an alternative way if there is one. Snow chains can be requested from your supplier for the additional price of around £40 per week.

What Else Should I Consider?

If you are visiting in Winter, it is more than likely you are going skiing. If you need to transport ski’s, renting a ski rack with your hire car might be useful. Ski racks can be booked with your rental at the price of around £50 per week. Please be aware that ski racks have a maximum capacity of 2 sets of skis. Should you need to carry more than 2 sets, it might be more convenient to hire a larger car and carry the extra skis within the car.

When you book cross border car hire it is important that you check the laws of the countries you plan to visit. If any of the countries you plan to visit require you to have snow chains, winter tyres or anything else, you must arrange this with the supplier when booking. Failure to comply with the laws of the country you visit, your insurance may become void or you may get in trouble with the local law enforcement.

If you are looking to hire a car, we always recommend that you call us, even more so if you have specific requirements. Our expert team can answer all your questions to ensure you have a stress-free car hire experience. Contact us today!

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Snow Socks, Are They Any Good?

October 31, 2019 Winter, winter car rental Comments Off on Snow Socks, Are They Any Good?
Snow Socks, Are They Any Good?

Every year we update our content on winter driving to keep it relevant with today’s motoring and the products available to help us. Snow Socks are a relatively new idea and something we haven’t covered before. Essentially they do what it says on the tin, they are a kevlar cover (Sock) that you can place on your drive wheels to improve grip when driving on snow and ice at speeds of up to 25/30 mph.

There are a few different ones on the market at the moment and a quick google search will show you the options available to you. They all tend to do a similar job performance wise but from what I can see the higher end big-brand ones look a little easier to fit.

Do Snow Socks Work?

All of the research I have seen online suggests that yes they do, they can improve grip when travelling in snowy conditions and are a light weight and mostly cheaper alternative to heavy snow chains.

Take a look at this video from Which? that shows a real life review of the AutoSock.

What Are The Benefits When Hiring A Car?

I can see these being useful for rental car drivers in a few ways.

Firstly they are lightweight and do not take up a lot of space, so if you are travelling abroad and are limited on space and weight then these are ideal.

Secondly is the cost, those that have hired a car in winter before will know that costs can inflate quite a lot, not just because suppliers like increasing prices but because of the additional products you may need. Snow chains and winter tyres can set you back between £50 and £120 per week on top of your rental, you may want to avoid paying these by hiring a car that is fit for the conditions but renting a 4×4 isn’t cheap and even a 4 wheel drive vehicle can come unstuck in wintry weather if they do not have the correct winter tyres fitted. By purchasing a set of snow socks, you can keep the cost down and they are yours to reuse as many times as you like.

Lastly is their practicality, if you are not heading to a destination with a huge chance of snow and maybe just hiring a car in the UK with winter tyres just because we may get some snow could be seen as overkill, especially when the weatherman has a 50/50 shot at getting his prediction right. So by having a pair of these tucked away in the boot could be the best answer, just in case snowmageddon does arrive.

What Are The Draw Backs Of Snow Socks?

From what I have seen in the above video and other research they are not as straight forward to fit in real life as the manufacturers make out. By design they fit snug to the wheel so are quite tight and hard to pull and push into place. If you are caught out by a snow shower then you may find yourself on your knees in the cold and wet trying to fit them while getting pretty dirty.

They are designed to work when driving on snow and ice alone and will be damaged if used on defrosted, gritted roads. So once you have freed yourself from the side streets and hit the clear main road, you need to jump back out and take them off, otherwise you may be back to buy some more sooner than you thought.

Lastly, they come in different sizes because wheels and tyres come in different sizes. So if your sole use for them is when you are travelling and driving a hire car then you would need to consider which size to buy. Most suppliers we deal with have varied fleets of vehicles but would do what they can to find a car for you to suit your needs but there is always that chance that when you arrive you end up with a car that your snow socks just wont fit.

Would I Buy Snow Socks?

I think they are a good option for your own car, if you know the size of the drive wheels you can buy a set to chuck in the boot safe in the knowledge they are there when needed. The practicality of these for a hire car however isn’t great. I can see they have a use and are a low cost alternative to winter tyres but where you gain in cost saving you lose in time, effort and dry cleaning bills.

If you have any questions regarding car hire in winter, snow socks, chains or winter tyres then please get in touch. Our team are on hand to take you through all options available to you.

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Car Hire In France With Winter Tyres

October 30, 2019 France Offers, Winter, winter car rental Comments Off on Car Hire In France With Winter Tyres
Hiring A car in Holland with Winter Tyres

Hiring a car in France is pretty straight forward, as a country with huge tourism numbers you can imagaine that processes are pretty streamlined. However, if you are looking for a rental car with winter tyres in France then you could be in for one hell of a research project.

Of all of the suppliers we deal with, everyone of them is different when publishing information around winter tyres, snow chains and ski racks. We have done a lot of research with all major car hire suppliers in France and have come up with the below list of facts that you should be aware of when hiring a car in France in Winter.

Are Winter Tyres A Legal Requirement In France?

No, there are no areas in France where winter tyres are required by law, even if you are heading to a ski resort. There are some roads that you are only allowed to travel on if you are carrying snow chains, these can be requested through your supplier and cost around £40 per week.

Can Winter Tyres Be Requested When Hiring A Car In France?

Yes, winter tyres can be requested as an optional extra with some suppliers. This is only available with certain vehicle groups and can cost around €110 per week, if you are hiring for a longer period then its around €150 per month. Winter tyres are not available for one way hires.

What Else Should I Consider?

If you are hiring a car for a ski trip then you may need a ski rack, these are readily available from all suppliers in countries like France but do come at an additional cost. Bear in mind that Ski racks are made for a specific number of skis. if there is a large group of you, then one ski rack may not be enough. On the whole you will be looking at a cost of around €50 per week for a ski rack. If you are a small group, would it be worth while hiring a larger car to accommodate the skis?

If you plan on leaving France during your rental and have arranged cross border travel then the main thing you need to consider is the legal requirements of the country or countries you intend to visit. If by law you are required to have winter tyres, snow chains or anything else specific then you will need to arrange this when booking the vehicle. Not doing this could void your insurance and leave you open to legal problems with the local law enforcement. Always check local driving laws before travelling.

THIS IS VERY RELEVANT WHEN HIRING FROM GENEVA AIRPORT. AS YOU MAY KNOW GENEVA AIRPORT HAS TWO SIDES, ONE IN FRANCE AND ONE IN SWITZERLAND. MANY PEOPLE HIRE IN FRANCE AND CROSS THE BORDER INTO SWITZERLAND TO SAVE MONEY. IF YOU ARE DRIVING IN SWITZERLAND BETWEEN NOVEMBER AND MARCH THEN BY LAW YOU MUST HAVE WINTER TYRES ON THE CAR, DO NOT GET CAUGHT OUT BY THIS.

We always suggest speaking to our dedicated team of reservations specialists when hiring a car, especially when it is something out of the ordinary. We are here to help and have all of the latest information at our finger tips. Contact our team today!

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Driving a 9 Seat Hire Car to Europe

October 24, 2019 Europe, UK Comments Off on Driving a 9 Seat Hire Car to Europe
people carrier hire for under 30

We are very pleased to be able to announce that due to a new partnership with another large supplier in the UK that we are now able to offer 9 seat vehicles from 15 more locations in the UK. Although 9 seater rental cars are not a new service for us, with our new arrangement they can now be driven to Europe which is something that no other supplier offers, according to our knowledge.

The most impressive thing about a 9 seater rental car is the ability to choose how many of the seats will be used, lets say there are 7 people travelling but a 7 seater doesn’t have enough space for your group and their luggage, a 9 seater will be more than capable. The supplier will even remove unused seats to create even more space.

Which 9 Seater Cars Are Available For Hire?

With our new supplier, we can offer the Citroen Spacetourer 9 Seat manual and the Mercedes V-Class 9 Seat Automatic. If you are not planning on leaving the country, we also have access to a larger fleet of 9 seat vehicles including the Volkswagen Transporter and Vauxhall Vivaro Tourer.

What You Should Know

There are restrictions in place when hiring a 9 seat rental car, the main ones are below;

  • The driver must be 30 or over
  • The minimum rental period is 7 days
  • There is a flat fee of £120 to take the vehicle abroad
  • Payment can be made on a debit card or credit card but, this must be in the drivers name
  • The vehicle can be delivered to your home or work address for a fee
  • A meet and greet service is available at all major airports

Where Can I Travel To?

Our 9 seat rental car fleet can be taken to any country in the Schengen zone. The Schengen zone comprises of 26 European countries that have officially abolished all passport and all other types of border control at their mutual borders. The area mostly functions as a single jurisdiction for international travel purposes, with a common visa policy. The area is named after the 1985 Schengen Agreement.

These countries are, Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.

If you are interested in driving a 9 seater to Europe and would like a quote or more information then please do not hesitate to contact our team, we are here to take the stress out of car rental for you.

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One Day Van Hire

October 23, 2019 Van Hire Comments Off on One Day Van Hire
Van Hire No Deposit

In the past few months, we have seen a massive increase in van hire enquiries, in particular one day van hires. A one-day van hire can be useful for a range of things, rubbish removal, moving to a new house, to transport large items, the list goes on. With a range of different van sizes available at many locations across the United Kingdom, you can be sure there is something to meet your needs.

Can I Hire A Van for one day?

The great news is, if you need to hire a van for one day, we can help. We offer one day van hire, 7 days a week, however not all locations offer one day van hire on the weekend. If you are looking to hire a van for one day, it is best to use the enquiry form or contact us directly. This allows us to find you the best supplier for your needs at the location you wish to hire from.

What Size Vans Can I Hire?

When it comes to hiring a van there is varying sizes and shapes. Depending on what you need the van for, one may be more suitable than the other. Make sure you know what van size you need to avoid getting a van that is too small or too big. Below are some examples of the vans we can offer, if you need a van with specific dimensions, please contact our team to ensure you have the right van for the job.

  • SWB Van – Ford Transit SWB, VW Transporter SWB, Vauxhall Vivaro SWB (or similar)
  • LWB Van – Ford Transit LWB, LDV Maxus LWB, Renault Master LWB (or similar)
  • Small Van – Vauxhall Combo, Peugeot Bipper, VW Caddy, Ford Connect (or similar)
  • XLWB Van – Ford Transit XLWB /Jumbo, Mercedes Sprinter XLWB (or similar)
  • Luton Van With Tail Lift – Ford Transit LWB, LDV Maxus LWB, Renault Master LWB (or similar)
  • Commercial Pick-Up – Ford Ranger, VW Amarok, Mitsubishi L200, Nissan Navara (or similar)

When Is The Cheapest Time To Hire A Van?

Sometimes when hiring a van, you need it for a specific day of the week. However, if you can hire the van for a day of your choice, it’s best to know what the cheapest days are. Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday are all usually cheaper for van hire, so if you want to save a bit of extra money when booking your van hire, book on these days. The weekend is generally more expensive to hire as it is more convenient, meaning people don’t have to take time off work. Whichever day you book for, we will always compare all the prices to keep your cost as low as possible.

Where Can I Hire A Van?

We have suppliers who offer van hire across the UK, depending on your rental requirements the locations may differ. Here are some of the locations you can hire a van for one day.
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Can I Hire With No Deposit?

We recognise that not everyone has hundreds of pounds lying around, which is what you need to be able to hold the deposit of a typical van hire on your card. Sometimes, you might just need a one day van hire for whatever reason and you don’t have enough money on your card for the deposit. This is no longer a problem as we have arranged no deposit van hire to make hiring a van easier than ever. This offer is not available at every location, contact us to find out if this offer is available at the location you wish to hire at.

Can I Hire With Low Deposit?

As mentioned above, no deposit van hire is not always available, should this be the case, we have arranged a second offer. We have managed to negotiate low deposit van hire which is van hire with a deposit of less than £300. This is significantly lower than most suppliers and is ideal if you don’t have a lot of money that can be held on your card.

Can I Hire A Van And Drop It Off At Another Location?

It is not always convenient to hire a van at one location and drop it off at the same location. For example, you might be moving to a new house and it could take a long time to return the van back to where you picked it up from. Luckily, we offer one way van hire to save you the hassle. If you are interested in this offer, please contact our team directly to ensure your van hire is as smooth as possible.

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Do Hired Cars Come With Snow Chains?

October 22, 2019 Car Hire Tips, winter car rental Comments Off on Do Hired Cars Come With Snow Chains?
Do Hired Cars Come With Snow Chains?

Do Hired Cars Come With Snow Chains?

You may be surprised to find that hire cars do not come with free snow chains, they are an optional extra. it is always up to you, the driver to research your desired destination and check if you need snow chains when renting a car.

In many European countries including Andorra, Austria, France, Germany, Norway, Switzerland and Italy you will find that the law dictates you must carry snow chains in your vehicle as local road signs may indicate that you need to equip them, despite this you don’t get them for free.

Snow tyres are different, during sometimes of the year in some locations, so when they are law the car hire companies must equip them free of charge, snow chains however are not.

You will also find that if legislation dictates in Italy between a certain time period that the weather is getting harsh and you need to equip snow chains, the rental companies still don’t equip them for free. The problem with this is it could be illegal if you drive away in the hired vehicle without them on, the company will supply you with them but at an extra daily cost as they are considered an additional extra.

People often prefer driving with snow chains especially to their winter sport destinations as the surface on the roads can be very dangerous at times. It’s comforting to have snow chains but is it worth it? Snow chains will set you back about 10-20 Euros a day, usually this is capped but it’s still an expensive pay no matter what way you look at it. Here at Indigo there is unfortunately not much we can do about this unless it becomes law, if you do want snow chains however we will always try and find you the best OVERALL deal, with snow chains included as well.

If you want advice on whether to get snow chains or not, and want to know more details about our Winter Car Hire Services contact us on +44 (0)113 880 0748 or email us on sales@thealternativeagency.co.uk and we will help you in every way we can, whether that’s finding you the best deal or giving you advice.

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Hiring A Car In Austria With Winter Tyres

October 21, 2019 Austria, winter car rental Comments Off on Hiring A Car In Austria With Winter Tyres
Winter tyres in Belgium

Austria attracts over 20 million tourists annually, whether that is to visit the old castles and palaces or to hit the slopes. Although a lot of people visit Austria in the summer, there is a large amount who visit in the Winter season. With ski resorts and other places of interest a considerable distance from the airport, a lot of tourists choose to hire a car for their holiday.

If you are travelling in Winter, there is a lot you need to know. Luckily for you, we have done all the research for you and compiled it into one blog. All the information you need related to winter tyres, snow chains and ski racks in Austria is in this blog.

Is It A Legal Requirement To Have Winter Tyres In Austria?

Yes, if you travel between the 1st November and the 15th April you must have winter tyres equipped on your car. The good news for you is that the cost of Winter tyres is included in the cost of your rental and are fit as standard.

Do I Need Snow Chains In Austria?

Yes, in some areas, in particular mountainous regions, you will be required to use snow chains. Although it is possible to travel in Austria and not use snow chains once, it is always best to have them just in case. Failure to use snow chains in the required areas can result in a hefty fine. On top of that, if you have an accident and you should have used snow chains but didn’t, it is automatically considered to be your fault. Snow chains can be requested with your supplier for around £40 for 1 week.

What Else Should I Consider?

If you are planning to use your hire car for a ski trip, you may need a ski rack, these are available from the supplier, but will incur an extra cost of around £40 per week. Please be aware that the ski racks are made to hold a maximum of 2 sets of skis, if you are travelling as a family this may not be suitable. Alternatively, it might work better to hire a larger car in order to fit the skis in.

If you plan on going across the border with cross border car hire, you need to research the legal requirements of the countries you intend to visit. If any of the countries you plan to visit by law require you to have snow chains, winter tyres or anything else specific, this must be arranged when booking the hire car. Failure to meet these laws can void your insurance and get you in trouble with the local law enforcement. Always check local driving laws before you travel to avoid any problems.

When hiring a car, we always recommend that you call us, especially when you have specific requirements. Our dedicated team of specialists can answer any questions you have and ensure you have a stress-free car hire. Contact our team today!

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