Driving your own car gives you freedom and independence, lets you reach any place you want, while public transport does not always go everywhere and can help you save time. You decide where and when you want to go, and you can always change your plans. What is renting a car abroad like? What should you pay attention to, and what about insurance? We will briefly discuss these issues.
Renting a Car Abroad
During a holiday, renting a car can prove to be an excellent choice. Your own vehicle provides mobility, lets you reach places not served by local transport, and helps you save time. You need to decide who will drive and who has sufficient experience and skills. The number of travelers is also important—the more people there are, the more people the rental costs will be spread across.
Renting a car is an excellent alternative to poorly developed local transport. It is very convenient if you plan to take a road trip around a particular country, such as Iceland, Sicily or Israel.
Insurance for a Rental Car
People renting a car often decide not to purchase full insurance—it may only be called that, while in reality it is not—because it can sometimes double the rental cost itself. Everything is fine as long as nothing happens. However, even the smallest damage, such as a scratch on the paintwork, can cost more than purchasing insurance.
Most car rental companies include basic insurance in the price, but it is not comprehensive because in most cases an excess applies. What does an excess mean? It is the amount up to which the person renting the car is liable in the event of damage. For example, if the damage is assessed at EUR 3,000 and the excess is EUR 900, the renter pays exactly EUR 900, while the remainder is covered by the policy. The excess may sometimes equal the deposit amount, which serves as security for the rental company in the event of damage to the car.
There are companies on the market that offer excess insurance independently of the rental company. You can purchase an annual subscription from them, which is an excellent solution for people who frequently rent cars, or choose a standard short-term policy. You can protect yourself against a collision or a scratched car, as well as problems with the keys or filling the tank with the wrong fuel.
What You Need to Rent a Car
The following documents are required when renting a car:
- identity document—a passport or identity card to confirm the driver's identity
- driving licence—in some countries, an international driving permit is required
- credit card—needed to reserve the car; the rental amount is usually blocked until the rental date, and the card must be issued in the driver's name
- additional funds—needed for the deposit or the insurance excess; a deposit is always collected when renting a car, and its amount depends on the company, rental period and insurance you choose
- appropriate age and driving experience—car rental companies usually require the driver to have held a driving licence for at least several years, and some do not rent vehicles to people under 21
As for the price, it can vary considerably. Prices depend on the particular country, rental company, car class and other factors. The main aspects affecting the price include:
- the lowest prices can be found on comparison websites
- reservations should be made as early as possible—the sooner, the cheaper
- purchasing insurance from an external company can reduce the cost
- you will pay extra for amenities such as navigation, child seats or a roof rack
- an additional fee for a second driver
- smaller cars are usually cheaper to rent
- pay attention to the vehicle return time to avoid overpaying
Is it possible to rent a car without having a credit card? Of course—it is enough to find a suitable company that accepts forms of payment other than a credit card. In a search engine, you can enter, for example, car rental Wrocław and examine the offers in detail.