Families warned of hidden hikes in Easter holiday car-hire price
As the Easter break fast approaches, new research has revealed the sneaky charges car hire companies are trying to slip under the radar
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FAMILIES looking to hire a car abroad during the Easter holidays are being warned that sneaky charges could hike the price way beyond "cheap" headline deals.
Exclusive new findings reveal as many as 28 "extras" could be slapped on customers at some stage during the booking process, or at collection or drop-off.
This is according to car hire specialist Zest Car Rental (zestcarrental.com), which says hidden costs — to cover things like young driver surcharges, extra drivers, insurance and equipment and one-way fees — could catch many people out.
Separate exclusive research, from icarhire insurance.com, also makes for worrying reading.
Based on a study of Avis, Budget, Sixt, Europcar and Hertz in Tenerife, Nice, Barcelona, Milan and Larnaca, the specialist insurer found extras will often double, triple or even quadruple ed ,e the headline price.
The study also revealed extra costs could vary by hundreds of pounds.
These include:
- Young driver (generally under 25): Costs extra £229 with Europcar in Nice, just £35 in Larnaca with Sixt.
- Renting a child's seat: Extra £149 for a week with Budget in Milan, but £27 in Larnaca with Sixt.
- Excess waiver insurance: For insurance combining damage, theft, tyre and windscreen cover, the average price is around £160 a week.
The key word you need to remember here is "average". In some cases quotes can be well over £100 more than this.
This research comes less than three months after the introduction of new rules designed to encourage car hire firms to be more transparent about charges.
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Since 1 January 1, car hire comparison and broker websites have had to comply with requirements from the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) to show a "transparent drive-away price".
Rory Sexton, from Zest, says: "Mandatory charges, such as young driver surcharges, one-way rental charges and fuel policy charges, should be displayed from the outset.
"This type of shady practice gives the car industry a bad name."
Richard Headland is from consumer watchdog Which?.
He confirmed: "Improvements have been made since the CMA's new requirements took effect, but some customers are still getting a nasty surprise at the rental desk.
"We expect car hire companies to be up front about all charges so consumers can make an informed choice at the time of booking."
Emma Coulthurst, from price comparison site, travelsupermarket.com, says: "Sneaky extra charges should be made clear to drivers from the outset. There shouldn't be any nasty surprises.
"Unfortunately, we far too often hear of hard-sell tactics being used at the car rental pick-up desk."
Potential extras to watch for
Additional driver: Potential cost, €10 a day.
Young driver surcharge: Potential cost €5-€10 per day plus local insurance, €15-€25 per day.
Driving licence supplement: If you've held your driving licence for less than four years, you could be hit with this daily extra.
Potential cost: €5 per day. Out of hours' charge: To collect your hire car out of office hours could cost €15-€75.
Hotel delivery fee: If you want your hire car delivered to your hotel it could cost €15-€100.
Airport charge: The handiest place to pick up a car but possibly the most costly at €5-€10 a day.
One-way fee: To drop the car off at a different place from where you got it can cost up to €500.
Fuel: Make sure you return your car with a full tank if that's what the company requests. Fail and you will pay a fixed admin fee (around €15) and an inflated cost for fuel.
Loss of vehicle documents: Potential cost, €35-€300.
Excess waiver insurance: Policies from car rental companies could potentially add €15-20 a day.
Other potential costs: Roadside assistance, extra mileage, cleaning, late return fee, loss of keys.