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All Inclusive Car Leasing For 21 Year Olds

June 9, 2021 Leasing, Skoda, Volkswagen Comments Off on All Inclusive Car Leasing For 21 Year Olds
Car Leasing For 21 Year Olds

We have been promoting our Long Term Rental deals for some times now. If you are not aware of them, here is a quick overview.

Long term car rentals are beneficial for those wanting to hire a vehicle for an unknown period of time. The rental can be an extended on a month to month basis and there is no need for a long term commitment.

  • Contract based work
  • Seasonal work
  • If you’re car has broken down or needs repairing
  • An extended holiday

Another popular reason to take out a long term car rental is for a new employee on a probationary period, the rental can be used as a gap car before you order their new contract hire vehicle.

There are several benefits to getting a long term car rental which you may not get included with a standard rental or lease. We’ve put together a short list of some of the top benefits below:

  • Fixed Monthly Cost
  • Insurance Included
  • Breakdown Cover Included
  • No Depreciation
  • No Contracts

Car Leasing For 21 Year Olds

We are now able to offer our All Inclusive packages to those aged 21 and above. Providing you have been driving for 2 years or more and are employed. Apart from that, all of the information including the prices are the same.

Those aged 21 – 24 can choose from a smaller range of lease vehicles, examples of which are shown below.

VW Polo Leasing

Volkswagen Polo

Manual: £509
Auto: £539

Skoda Fabia Leasing

Skoda Fabia

Manual: £509

VW Golf Leasing

Volkswagen Golf

Manual: £559
Auto: £589

Skoda Skala Leasing

Skoda Skala

Manual: £559
Auto: £589

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Can I Drive a Tow Bar Vehicle on a Standard UK Licence?

June 7, 2021 News Comments Off on Can I Drive a Tow Bar Vehicle on a Standard UK Licence?
Best towing vehicles available to hire

Can I drive a tow bar vehicle on a standard UK licence?

A question we often get here when renting out tow bar vehicles is if they can drive a tow bar vehicle on just a standard UK licence. While the answer is generally yes, it’s quite a bit more nuanced that that as it depends generally on both the weight of the vehicle as well as the weight of whatever it is that you’re towing. This is then complicated further in how the licence was changed back in 1997, meaning there may be a different answer depending on when you passed.

Differences between Licences

In 1997, with the introduction of the photocard licence that we all know today, a significant number of changes were made to the standard licence. If you passed before 1997, your licence automatically gives you the ability to drive categories B+E, C1, C1E and D1E in addition to the standard category B – but if you passed after 1997 however this will only give you the B category. So with a newer licence you are still fine to tow vehicles as long as the total MAM (maximum authorised mass – basically a fancy way of saying weight!) is under 3500kg (3.5 tonnes), or the vehicles MAM is under 3500kg and the trailer’s is under 750kg. Anything larger however may prove a problem – here’s a breakdown of the categories below:

Licence Category Description
B You can driver vehicles up to 3500kg MAM with up to 8 passenger seats, with a trailer up to 750kg. You can tow heavier trailers though if the total weight does not excess 3500kg MAM.
BE You can drive a vehicle with a MAM of 3500kg with any size trailer
C1 You can drive a vehicle up to 7500kg MAM with a trailer up to 750kg.
C1E Same as C1 except the trailer can be over 750kg, as long as the combined MAM is under 12000kg.
D1E You can drive minibuses up to 16 seats, with a trailer as long as the combined MAM is under 12000kg.

 

Of course if you have any doubts or questions just feel free to contact us on +44 (0) 113 880 0748 or email us to sales@thealternativeagency.co.uk. Feel free to take a look at our rent a van with tow bar page for more info too!

 

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Van Hire Excess Protection Insurance

May 27, 2021 Van Hire Comments Off on Van Hire Excess Protection Insurance
Van Hire Excess Protection Insurance

When we receive enquiries about van hire, one of the most common questions we get asked is ‘do you offer Van Hire Excess Protection Insurance?’. Until now, the answer has been ‘No’. However, due to demand, we have arranged a deal with our friends at Insurance4carhire. This means we can now offer our customers Van Hire Excess Protection Insurance.

What Is Van Hire Excess Protection Insurance?

It is exactly the same as Car Hire Excess protection. It’s an insurance policy that protects you against the excess amount of the vehicle you are hiring.

Every van that you hire will have some sort of excess (dedutible). This is the maximum amount of money that you are liable for if the van is damaged or stolen whilst on hire to you. This can be as much as £1,500 on some larger vans.

Your rental company will offer you additional insurance products to reduce your excess to a lower amount. This can sometimes even reduce the excess to ZERO. These can be quite affordable and can make sense to use, other times we have heard of them costing upto £45 per day. Which depending on the length of your rental, can quickly add up.

Our Van Hire Excess Protection Insurance comes at a flat fee of just £10.99 for a 1 day rental. Taking out a policy like this will not remove your excess liability, you will still need to pay this if you were to damage the van or if it was stolen. You will then claim for your losses through Excess4vanhire.

Who can use Van Hire Excess Protection Insurance?

This product is aimed at those hiring a van for non-commercial use. It does not cover vehicles being used for business purposes. So, if you are hiring a van to move home, remove some waste after a DIY project, take the bikes away for the weekend or moving some precious cargo, this product will work for you.

If you have any questions about hiring a van or protecting your excess liability. Please do not hesitate to contact our team, We are ready and waiting to help in any way we can.

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Premium and Luxury Car Hire with a Debit Card

May 4, 2021 News Comments Off on Premium and Luxury Car Hire with a Debit Card
LUXURY CAR HIRE

Premium and Luxury Car Hire with a Debit Card

We have offered car hire with a debit card at Indigo for a long time now, however this has always been limited to standard vehicles – we could never arrange premium or luxury car hire with a debit card. Thankfully though this is now no longer the case as we have arranged a deal with a premium supplier that can also accept debit cards too, allowing you to have a first-class experience without the hassle.

We currently have four branches for it at the moment, though of course always looking to expand! These are:

  • Leeds
  • Birmingham
  • Livingston
  • Welwyn Garden City

We can also arrange deliveries on rentals that are 5+ days and within a reasonable distance, so we can also cover London / Edinburgh for example with that.

What Cars Are Available?

There’s a huge selection of luxury cars that we have available, here’s just a small sample of our most popular models:

Car Group Example Model
Premium Compact Audi A3, Mercedes A Class
Premium Saloon Audi A4 Saloon, Mercedes C Class
Premium Estate Audi A4 Avant, Volvo V60
Premium Plus Saloon Audi A6 Saloon, BMW 5-Series Touring
Elite Saloon Mercedes S Class, Audi A8
Premium Compact 4×4 Audi Q3, VW Tiguan
Premium Medium 4×4 Audi Q5, Mercedes GLC
Premium Large 4×4 Audi Q7, Volvo XC90
Elite 4×4 Porsche Cayenne Diesel, Range Rover Sport SDV6
Ultimate 4×4 Range Rover Sport SVR, Range Rover Vogue
Premium 9-Seater Mercedes Vito
Premium Pickup Ford Ranger Wildtrak, Toyota Hilux Invincible

 

As mentioned, this list is far from exhaustive, we also have a wide range of performance cars, electric cars (including Tesla’s!), and even some extremely exclusive supercars. We are also able to guarantee specific models, so if you have a certain request then let us know.

What are the terms/conditions?

There are very few restrictions on this offer – on most of the premium cars, you need to be over 30 to rent, with a clean licence held for more than 2 years. ID is also very straightforward – you just need your photocard licenses and two proofs of your current address, along with your debit card for the deposit.

If you have any questions at all, or interested in this offer just contact us at sales@thealternativeagency.co.uk, or give us a call on 01138800748, and we’ll be more than happy to help!

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Switzerland Car and Van Hire with a Maestro Card

April 28, 2021 Debit Card Car Hire News, News, Switzerland Comments Off on Switzerland Car and Van Hire with a Maestro Card
Switzerland Car and Van Hire with a Maestro Card

Switzerland Car/Van Hire with a Maestro Card

Hiring in Switzerland with a debit card is notoriously difficult, especially if your debit card is a Maestro card. Maestro cards are a type of debit card issued mainly in central Europe, and the reason they are so rarely accepted for renting is that they lack the 3 digit CVV code that is generally needed for payment deposits. Luckily we have arranged a deal with a major supplier that is able to circumvent this issue, and you are now able to have the deposit held on just a Maestro card – no strings attached.

Where and what in Switzerland can I hire?

We have many branches across the country with this deal available, here are our main branches below:

Zurich City Zurich Airport Basel Airport
Basel Train Station Lucerne Zug
Schlieren Schaffhausen Geneva Airport
Geneva City Altenrhein Airport Bern Airport
Lausanne Gstaad Lugano

 

With such a long-reaching network I’m sure we’ll have somewhere that’s convenient for you!

We have a wide array of vehicle groups available, the only exclusions are sport and luxury cars. This also includes vans from small Berlingo size vans to large Luton vans. Here are all the groups below:

  • Mini – small city cars such as the Fiat 500 / Kia Picanto / Ford Ka etc.
  • Economy – small hatchbacks such as the Ford Fiesta / VW Polo / Opel Corsa.
  • Compact – larger family size hatchbacks such as the Ford Focus / Peugeot 308 / VW Golf.
  • Intermediate – large saloon cars such as Ford Mondeo / Opel Insignia and also premium versions such as BMW 2-series and Mercedes B Class.
  • Estate – large station wagons such as a Ford Focus Estate / VW Golf Estate
  • 7-Seaters – MPVS’s such as the Ford Galaxy / VW Sharan
  • 9-Seaters – and lastly 9-seat minibuses like the Mercedes Vito or Ford Tourneo.

And for vans we have:

  • Small vans – such as the Citreon Berlingo / VW Caddy
  • SWB vans – such as the Ford Transit / VW Transporter
  • LWB vans – such as the Renault Master Van / Mercedes Sprinter
  • Luton vans with a tail lift

So as you can see you’re really not hindered at all by using a Maestro Card, and we even have a lot of other offers in conjuction with this one.

Other deals / services

Here are some of the other services we have available in Switzerland, all available while using just a Maestro Card:

If you have any other questions at all or just wish to take advantage of Switzerland car/van hire with a Maestro then please give us a call on +44 (0) 113 880 0748, or alternatively, email us at sales@thealternativeagency.co.uk.

 

 

 

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New Towing Vehicles On Fleet: Toyota Rav4

April 21, 2021 Tow Bar, UK Comments Off on New Towing Vehicles On Fleet: Toyota Rav4
New Towing Vehicles On Fleet: Toyota Rav4

We are constantly working to increase and improve the amount and quality of vehicles we have available for hire in the UK an beyond. tow car rental is especially scarce but we are steadily increasing our availability.

We are pleased to welcome a new Towing vehicle to our available fleet, the Toyota Rav4. We have great availability of these new vehicles in the south west of England in particular and depending on the length of rental, delivery can be arranged around the country.

Toyota Rav4 Towing Specs

  • Gross Train Weight – Total 3,865kg
  • Gross Vehicle Weight – Total 2,215kg
  • Maximum Trailer Weight – Braked 1,650kg
  • Maximum Trailer Weight – Unbraked 750kg

The Toyota Rav4 comes with a 13 point pin but can be adapted for a 7 point connection.

Whether you are towing a small to medium sized caravan, trailer, horse box or simply wanting to take a tow-bar mounted bike rack. The Toyota Rav4 will have you covered.

Other Benefits

When hiring with this particular supplier, our customers can also benefit from:

If you are looking to hire car for towing or indeed a Toyota Rav 4 specifically then please contact our team. You can call us on 0113 8800748, email sales@thealternativeagency.co.uk or chat with us online. Our team are here to help.

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Hiring a Car with a new EU licence

April 20, 2021 Europe, News Comments Off on Hiring a Car with a new EU licence
Hiring a Car with a new EU licence

Hiring a car with a new EU licence

Brexit brought with it a huge swathe of changes to how we travel – particularly when it comes to how EU licences work in the UK and the issues with renting a car on a new EU licence. By the end of 2021, all ex-pats living in the EU will be required to change their licence to an EU one. Up until this year, changing your licence from a UK one to a different country was a fairly straightforward process, and vice versa. In general, everything carried over, including the initial issue date. Unfortunately though this is no longer the case – when swapping to an EU licence in 2021 this is treated as a brand new licence with a new issue date.

Why is this an issue?

The main problem is that most suppliers have a minimum requirement of at least 1 year on the licence. This means that newly changed licences will no longer be accepted due to the new issue date. This happens no matter what proof you have of previous licences – seems unnecessary but it’s just how the insurance clauses work for the car hire suppliers.

Luckily here at Indigo, we have been working with a partner for some time now to arrange car hire for new drivers or drivers on new licences. The only requirements are that the driver is over 25 and either has a credit card or are flying in/out of the UK. It’s not just the UK either! We have quite a few locations for new licence holders:

  • UK – all airports and major towns/cities.
  • Ireland – most cities and all airports.
  • Spain – most cities and all major airports.
  • USA – most cities and all major airports.
  • Canada – most cities and all major airports.
  • New Zealand – all major airports.
  • Germany – most cities and all major airports.
  • Austria – most cities and all major airports.
  • Croatia – most cities and all major airports.

This list is not exhaustive and continues to expand so just ask if it’s somewhere else you need! You are also fine to continue using your UK one currently, though it must be changed over by the end of the year. If you have any other Brexit related issues just let us know and hopefully we can shed some light! Just give us a call on +44 (0)113 880 0748 if you need anything or email us at sales@thealternativeagency.co.uk.

 

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Contactless Car Hire In The UK

April 8, 2021 News, UK Comments Off on Contactless Car Hire In The UK
Contactless Car Hire In The UK

One of our existing national suppliers have launched a new service offering Contactless Car Hire In The UK. The idea which has been born out of recent events is based on the way a car club works.

With more UK branches opening soon, Contactless Car Hire is a great way of exploring London, Edinburgh and beyond without ever having to step foot in a car hire office, no more lengthy queues!

Simply make your booking with Indigo and our supplier will make contact with you ahead of time to ask for all of the relevant information to be sent ahead of time and then all you have to do is collect your keys at one of the secure smart boxes located in your city of choice and away you go.

Benefits of 100% contactless car hire

  • No membership sign up
  • No monthly fees
  • Our lowest price car hire – guaranteed with price match!
  • No queues at the service desk
  • Available 24 hours a day
  • Prime central city pick up points

Contactless Car Hire

We have made our Contactless Car Hire service as simple and hassle-free as possible.

STEP 1: To get started, contact Indigo to make your booking. We have access to a full range of rental vehicles including small, economical city cars, perfect for urban driving or larger hatchbacks and SUVs which are ideal for families.

STEP 2: After making your reservation, our suppliers service team will get in touch to complete your rental agreement.

STEP 3: On the day of your car hire, pick up your keys from one of our secure smart boxes.

STEP 4: Find your car in the specified parking space and drive away.

STEP 5: When it’s time to head back, park-up the rental car and pop the keys back in the smart box. It really is that simple!

Contactless Car Hire Locations

We have 8 contactless car hire locations in and around London and currently 1 in Edinburgh. With more locations opening soon and a super range of vehicles backed up by a price match guarantee, there has never been a better time to hire a rental car.

Services Available With Contactless Car Hire

If you would like to discuss Contactless Car Hire In The UK, please contact our team. You can call 01132 899 281, email sales@thealternativeagency.co.uk or chat with us online. We are here to answer any questions you may have on any type of car or van hire.

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Car Hire At Paddington Station

April 7, 2021 London, UK Comments Off on Car Hire At Paddington Station
HOW TO RENT A CAR IN LONDON WITHOUT LEAVING A DEPOSIT

We have a brand new supplier location open now at Paddington Station in London. Car Hire at Paddington Station is by no means a new thing, however this supplier brings lots of services to Paddington Station that others simply cannot offer.

Based in the APCOA car park at Paddington Station, hiring a car with Indigo Car Hire is now easier than ever, just hop off the train, make your way to the car park which has access directly from the station and collect your keys.

The new Paddington Station rental location is a ‘contactless’ branch, meaning you collect and return your keys from a lockbox and locate your car in the relevant parking area. This means all paperwork and licence checks are done ahead of time, so there is no need to provide ID or your driving licence on arrival.

What’s on offer at Paddington Station

*Due to height restrictions, only small to medium size vans are available from this location.

Look out for more information on contactless car hire as this seems to be the future for rental suppliers. If you have any questions regarding this service at Paddington Station or indeed any other locations around the world then please contact us on 0113 2899281, email sales@thealternativeagency.co.uk or chat with our team online.

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ZERO Deposit Rentals In Warrington

April 1, 2021 UK Comments Off on ZERO Deposit Rentals In Warrington
Car Hire With Zero Deposit

One of our largest suppliers in the UK has just opened a brand new location in Warrington. This is fantastic news for those in the area as they are the one of very few who will be offering ZERO Deposit Rentals In Warrington.

This means you can hire a car or a van without the huge upfront cost of a large deposit, one of the biggest requests we have in the UK is car hire with a low deposit.

Other Services Available In Warrington

Not only are they one of the biggest names in UK car rental but they have some of the best package offers on the market, including;

If you are looking to hire a car in the North West of England or indeed across the UK, our team are on hand to help at any time. You can call us on 0113 8800748, email sales@thealternativeagency.co.uk or chat with us online.

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