Warning to car hire customers
Almost half of car rental customers fail to digest the hire company’s terms and conditions, leaving them unaware of some of the risks of unexpected costs, according to a recent poll.
The YouGov survey, commissioned by iCarhireinsurance.com, found that only 15% of customers read the T&Cs in full.
As a result, over two-thirds of car renters are not aware that some car hire firms will charge them for fuel when they return the car if they don’t provide a receipt, even if the fuel gauge says full.
"This is often the rule particularly with airport drop-offs where the renter can be required to refuel within a 10 mile radius of the airport or to show the fuel receipt," said iCarhireinsurance.
Also, 42% are not aware that some rental companies insist that drivers pay for a full tank of fuel before they pick up their hire car.
One in 10 customers have been caught out by unexpected charges when they returned their hire car, it said.
The majority of customers are also oblivious to the risk they might have to pay for breakdown assistance if they get a puncture or a broken windscreen as some rental companies see this as the driver’s fault, and a third of car rental drivers are unaware they’ll be responsible for making sure the vehicle is road worthy.
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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