We at Indigo Car Hire have over 30 years combined experience in the car hire industry so we like to think we know a bit about a bit. Most car hire companies work in the same way and have similar costs to try and compete with each other.
But what else apart from the cost of the rental should you consider when selecting a car hire company?
Service: What do previous hirers think about the service they have received from the company? Before, during and after the rental. Consider speaking with your broker or having a look at review websites like reviewcentre.com to get a clear picture of the service they offer.
Fleet: What type of car will you be hiring? All car hire companies advertise a type of vehicle ‘Or Similar’ meaning you could end up with ANY car that fits the guidelines of the group you have chosen. So when hiring a VW Golf or similar means you will get a 5 door hatchback with a midsize engine, this could be a VW Golf, Vauxhall Astra, Ford Focus, Hyundai I30, Toyota Corolla or one of many more. So consider calling your broker or the car hire company direct and asking the question, what cars do you have on fleet? How old are the cars on your fleet?
Fuel: What type of fuel will your hire car take? Petrol or Diesel? Most companies cannot guarantee the fuel type of the vehicle you will be hiring but if you speak to your broker, they may be able to put a special request in for you.
Additional Extra’s: It’s important to consider all aspects of the cost when hiring a car, yes you may have found the car that you want at the cheapest rate but what about the baby seat, GPS, insurance excess, excess reduction and one way hire costs that go along with it?
Deposits: Most rental companies will require a deposit when you hire a car. This is usually done by freezing an amount on your credit card. The amount varies from supplier to supplier, always make sure you are aware of the amount. They can range from £500 to £1250 or more. Some companies offer a zero deposit amount providing you have taken out their extra insurance cover. Some companies actually take the deposit amount from your card and refund it when the vehicle is returned, so consider asking your broker/supplier how long this refund takes, we have known it take up to 21 days from some suppliers….
Location: Where is the car hire company based? Centre of town or on the outskirts where it may be difficult to get to? Are you flying into an airport? If so, do they have a desk in the airport or are they based off site? Companies with desks in the airport tend to be more expensive because of the costs involved in being on site..
Payment: The car hire company will almost always insist that the vehicle is paid for by credit card. If you do not hold a credit card then you are limited to which suppliers you can hire from. Some will allow a debit card payment and some will even allow a ‘third party payment’ meaning a friend or family member can pay for the vehicle on your behalf but this is very rare.