Hiring A Car On Holiday

By Author: Bonny Kominek
Total Articles: 46
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A car is sometimes the only efficient way to travel around your chosen destination. Buses and trains may be unreliable or inconvenient, and it takes precious vacation time working out how to use them. Taxis can be costly, and again they may not be able to take you all the places you want to go. So, if you''ve decided that hiring a car is the only effective solution, what should you know before booking?

- What are your needs?? Beyond the usual requirements - length of hire, size of car etc - what kind of features do you want the car to be equipped with? Air conditioning? Child seats? Make sure you specify exactly what you require well in advance.

- Who''s driving? Bear in mind that most car companies add on a surcharge for having an extra driver, so do some research and find out which car hire companies will add an extra driver for free. Also, most companies will require drivers to be over 21, and have held a driving license for a minimum of three years. There may also be a surcharge for drivers under 25.

- The nicer the car, the more expensive the hire. It''s a matter of personal taste but keep in mind ...
... that hiring that convertible BMW will be much more expensive than the Ford Mondeo. The prices for soft tops shoot up in summer when demand is high. Is the expense really worth it?

- Make sure you say you want ''unlimited mileage'' if you''re planning to drive long distances otherwise you''ll be charged a premium for going over the pre-agreed limit.

-You''ll always need to buy car insurance alongside the car hire so make sure you choose a suitable policy which at a minimum cover theft and collisions. Beware, cheap car hire usually comes with expensive car insurance - make sure you''ll be able to meet the cost of any excess charges. And check that there''s no overlap with your travel insurance policy otherwise you''ll be paying twice.

- When you get the car, give it a onceover and keep your own record of the condition it''s in.? Make sure you know essentials such as the local traffic laws, the emergency number of the car hire company, even down to what kind of fuel it takes.

- Lastly, make sure you return the car on time lest you''ll receive a penalty charge. Also be present at the final inspection, and keep all paperwork until you''re satisfied nothing has gone wrong ? it''s not unheard of for people to be charged unexpectedly, after the holiday has ended. Bonny Kominek is very fond of the Balearic islands and has been going to Menorca for years. Getting car hire Menorca airport is essential in order to really enjoy the island.