Published on : 05 September 20195 min reading time
There are many circumstances in which you are likely to consider renting a car. You may be travelling outside Spain, not having your own vehicle, going on holiday with friends and needing a larger vehicle than any of you or any other reason. But whatever the reason that makes you rent a vehicle, it is likely that at the time of doing so you will have endless doubts.
In this article we are going to try to answer each and every one of the most common questions when you are assessing the procedures of renting a car. You can also visit www.drivy.co.uk for more about car rental.
What do you need to know before renting a car?
First of all, you need to know the documents that will be requested from any car rental company. Normally there will be three:
Valid passport or ID card
Driving licence: If you are going to rent a car outside of Spain it is advisable to make sure that you will be able to do so at your destination, as well as if you need any additional documentation, as happens, for example, in the United States. It is also important to know that the age of the driver can affect the conditions and the final rental price. Companies usually don’t rent a car to people under 21, and if they do, you’re likely to have a very limited offer. Most companies require that you be 25 years old and have at least a couple of years on the permit.
Credit card is in the name of the person who is going to be the holder of the contract of the rented vehicle. Virtually no car rental company accepts payment in cash, by debit card or by transfer. Therefore, if you have time and to avoid any inconvenience, the best thing you can do is to make sure of the payment conditions of the company in question.
If someone else is going to drive the vehicle, they must accompany you at the time of collection, because they must also present their driving licence so that they can check that it is valid and that they have points. This usually increases the final cost between 10 and 15 euros per day.
Is it better to contract directly with a car rental company or a broker?
Nowadays, we do practically any management through the Internet, and when it comes to choosing a car rental company we don’t change our new habits.
First of all, you should know that a broker has cheaper prices, but it is necessary to read all the information carefully so that you can be sure that you are hiring everything you need. When you choose to rent a vehicle through them, you have all the information from different companies. When choosing insurance you must pay attention, because the agency and the insurance offered by the intermediary have the same coverage. In some cases, price savings are not justified.
Therefore, it is advisable to read the contracts carefully so as not to have any kind of unpleasant surprise. If possible, contact both the company and the broker by telephone and ask them any questions you may have so that you can make a decision without future surprises.
Essential tips when renting a car
You should pay attention to the company’s policy on these aspects before renting a vehicle:
Fuel Policies
Although this may seem silly, it can make a big difference in the final price of the trip. Ideally, you should book with companies that have a full policy. There are four different policies: empty, full, empty, partial refund or full.
It is very important that you take a good look at this point, because the rate will vary. Choose the one that suits you best at any given moment.
Check the vehicle before and after the trip
Check windows, under-body, tyres, paint and interiors. Insist that someone comes with you to check it. Report any damage as soon as you detect it so that they can write it down and you can have written proof that the company knows the condition of the vehicle. This can save you a lot of trouble when you return it.
When you return the vehicle, ask them to check it with you again to avoid being told later that you returned the vehicle with a defect that does not correspond to you.
Leave the car in another office: One way
This means that you rent the car in one city and leave it in a different one. It is important to review the terms and conditions, as it usually carries an additional surcharge, although there are companies that do it for free.
Extra for renting a diesel car instead of petrol
Some companies charge an extra when the vehicle is diesel, so if you don’t need this particular engine, don’t use it.
Out of office hours
It is a good idea to agree on a delivery time that does not mean that office staff has to spend more hours than necessary, because this is also an additional charge.
GPS and child seats, the most common extras
This type of extras usually varies between 5 and 15 euros per day.
Franchises, insurance and deposits
This is usually the most controversial issue. There is no doubt that any vehicle needs third party liability insurance. Car rental companies give you the option of taking out comprehensive, excess or third party insurance.
Some companies withhold an amount of money as a guarantee. According to the company, if you take out the insurance it is not necessary to leave the deposit as well, but on other occasions it is. Normally this money is returned to you when you leave the car.