Compare Life Insurance We search 300 life insurance plans Get our cheapest quote online now! www.protected.co.uk

You never know when you might need or want to rent a car. Whether it’s to use while your usual car is being repaired, or as a treat for a special occasion, you need to be sure you understand some of the key terminology that is used by car rental websites so that you don’t get caught with a large bill.

Holiday / Family / Business / Courtesy / Temporary Replacement cars:

There are a number of practical reasons you may need to hire a car. If you are on holidays and have left your own car at home, you may decide to hire a car for a few days (or for the entire trip). If your own car is being repaired or held by a mechanics, they may offer you a courtesy car or the opportunity to rent one at a low price. If you have friends or family visiting you may decide to hire a larger car to fit everyone. If you are going on a business trip, you may be given a company car or hire car which is billed to the company.

Leisure / Special Occasion cars:

Another common reason to hire a car is for a special occasion or treat. Weddings, graduations, balls and birthdays are all made more memorable by a vintage car, sports car, or convertible. If you are a car enthusiast, you may decide to treat yourself to a weekend away in a collectors’ car.

In all of these situations, you need to be aware of some of the hidden fees and clauses that hire car companies use to make a bit of extra cash. For example:

• Age limits. Some car companies will not hire to people under the age of 21. Some will not hire to people under the age of 25. Those that do hire to those under the age of 25 generally will charge additional fees – some as high as £25 / day – and this fee may not be immediately obvious on the bill. Be particularly wary if the company’s booking form does not ask for your age, as this means you may get slapped with additional charges at a later date.

• Pick-up and return times. Another sneaky way rental companies make a bit of extra money is by charging you for an extra day if your return time is later than the time you picked it up in the days beforehand. For example, if you collect the car at 10am on one day, but return it at 2pm a few days later, you will be charged for an additional day, even though you are only four hours over. Make sure you confirm that you will not be charged for different pick-up and return times.