A holiday hire car can deliver those dreams of freedom; explore new coastlines, swim in secluded seas, travel on your own time. But this year, 17% of all complaints to ECCI have been about a car hire that’s gone wrong. Our website has lots of tips and tricks to make the process of car hire booking stress free. But maxed out credit cards, lost deposits or even finding another customer has been given your car are all issues that Irish consumers have run into this summer. Here’s how to avoid it happening to you.
Why do car hire companies hold a deposit?
Policies can vary by company, but many rental car companies hold a deposit on your credit card to protect their vehicles and cover potential costs. They then use this deposit if there is damage to the car, parking tickets, unfilled fuel tanks or extensive cleaning. In most cases, if you return the car in the same condition as you picked it up, you’ll get your deposit refunded quickly – but the time it takes varies from company to company.
How much will a car rental company hold as a deposit?
Each company will have its own policy and deposits can vary enormously. Factors that can influence the cost can include the make of the car, its size, the local driving conditions and the type of insurance you opt to take out. The reasons a company might hold back some of the deposit or even apply further charges also vary, so the most important step you can take is to review the rental agreement before you make your booking. Check for potential charges in the event of damages, unfilled fuel tanks, mileage limits and the return process.
Can I pay the deposit with my debit card?
Car rental companies tend to take a deposit from your credit card when you go to the desk to pick up your car. They will generally require the credit card to be in the driver’s name and that it is the same card as was used to make the original booking. In most cases, companies insist on a credit card because they can more easily recover funds if something goes wrong. They often refuse to accept debit cards or a card from a family member or friend you’re travelling with. Before you make the booking, read the agreement and make sure you have a card with sufficient credit to cover both the car hire deposit and anything you might be planning to use the card to pay for – such as hotel bookings.
The deposit they want for my car hire is so big I won’t be able to use the card on holiday – what can I do?
There are insurance products which cover car hire deposits – but these usually pay out if the car hire company holds back some of your deposit. It generally will not cover the deposit being taken in the first place. This means you will still need to pay a deposit which will reduce the limit of what you can charge to it for the rest of your holiday.
What will happen if I forget to pack my credit card?
If you arrive at the car hire desk and you don’t have the credit card you made your booking with then the company may refuse to give you the car. Having a credit card for the deposit is generally a requirement of the terms and conditions. If this was a condition of your booking then you may find that you lose your booking but are charged the full price of the car hire, regardless.
Alternatively, the supplier may offer you a ‘Super Cover’ insurance policy to reduce the excess. This optional insurance, which is non-refundable, exempts you from having to provide a deposit by covering the excess amount.
What happens if my flight is delayed? Will they hold my car?
If you are delayed for any reason, the car rental company may hold the car for a short while for you. However, depending on their terms and conditions, some car rental companies will cancel your booking, give the car to another customer and still charge you for the hire. It’s very important that you contact the supplier in advance to warn them of any delays. Do not depend on having provided flight details at time of booking; there is no guarantee that the staff on the desk will be monitoring the flight information.
So, for the best, stress-free experience at the car hire desk, make sure you:
- Read the car hire policy agreement carefully before you book, checking particularly for information on deposits, insurance, and pick up and return procedures
- Pack the credit card you used to make the booking and ensure you have sufficient credit to cover both the car rental and all other expected holiday purchases
- If you are going to be delayed, contact the car hire company as soon as possible
For readers hoping to hire a car in Europe, our website has plenty of advice and information.