Should I buy excess when I hire a car / rental mobil abroad?
A car rental office at an airport
Ask at your pick-up point about excess
The ‘excess’ charge on an insurance policy is the first part of any claim (for repair or damage) that the car hire customer will have to pay.

Some companies claim to offer fully inclusive prices when you book online or over the phone. And, though most prices do include some level of insurance (usually called ‘Collision Damage Waiver’), most will carry a hefty excess charge.

It’s best to ask at your pick-up point about the excess because this may be buried in the small print and your desk clerk may not mention it.

Super Collision Damage Waiver (SCDW)
Many companies will offer you added insurance to reduce your liability to a very small amount (typically £50-£100). Generally this is called Super Collision Damage Waiver (SCDW) or can also be called Damage Excess Insurance (DEI).

Costs vary depending on the company (typically around £10 to £12 per day for a small or compact car) and it can add a significant amount to your bill. But if you don't have this extra insurance you could end up paying a substantial amount of money if you dent the car or have an accident.

There are now a number of insurance firms that specifically offer this extra insurance, so you don’t have to fork out to your car hire company. Often these separate policies are cheaper and have very low excesses.

Money-saving tips
Take out a separate policy for the extra insurance. There are both daily and annual policies available.
Insurance companies that offer these include Dailyexcess.com, iCarhireinsurance.com, Insurance4carhire.com, Questor Insurance and Worldwide Insure.
Ensure you check the company’s policy thoroughly though, as some may not cover you for tyres, the windscreen, roof or undercarriage.
Are there any exclusions when hiring a car abroad?
A person driving
The windscreen, wheels and roof may not be covered by extra insurance
Many people are surprised when they learn that, even if they pay for extra insurance (SCDW), the windscreen, wheels, tyres, roof or undercarriage of the vehicle aren't covered by the hire company’s policy.

If you damage any of these parts of the car, or even if someone else does, you'll still be liable to pay for the repairs. And the repair bill can be very costly.

What you can do
Register your ‘protest’ if you feel you're being unfairly charged for damage you didn't cause.
If the charge for a particular service, such as a tyre, seems excessive, tell the hire firm you require evidence that it costs the amount you're being quoted.
What if I don't get what I ordered online?
One of the easiest ways to hire a car abroad is to do it online or over the phone before you travel. You'll usually have to choose the size of car in advance and prices depend on which one you opt for – make sure you get the one you’ve paid for.

What you can do about it
If you don’t get the car you paid for, then the car hire firm is in breach of contract. You're entitled to claim back any fee you have to pay in order to obtain what was initially promised in your car hire contract.

How do I pay for fuel when hiring a car abroad?
A petrol can
If an option, always drive the car away full and return it full
The contents of the fuel tank can be quite the bone of contention when it comes to hiring a car. Different companies have different policies and it’s worthwhile finding out what to expect before you touchdown at your destination. There are usually three options:

Drive the hire car away full and return it full
This is the easiest and usually works out as the cheapest, but only if you return the car completely full. If the hire company feels there's room to add more petrol, you could be hit with a refuelling charge.

When you collect your car, ask where the nearest petrol station is so you know where to refuel at the end of your journey. Also make sure it will be open if you return it late at night.

Buy a full tank from the car rental company and return it empty
This option is probably the most expensive, as often the petrol provided is charged at a premium, which means you’ll pay more than you would at a local petrol station.

Also, you won't be refunded for any petrol you don't use. And it’s not that easy to return a car with an empty fuel tank so you're bound to lose out.

Pay the car hire company for what you use
This might seem an attractive choice, but once again you may be charged a premium for the petrol you use.

What you can do
Ask your rental company what their fuel policy is before you hire a car.
If possible, always drive the car away full and return it full.
Take note of the nearest petrol station so you know where to fill up on your return.
Are package deals better for car hire abroad?
A couple with a map
You can also rent a car as part of a package holiday
As well as hiring a car independently, it’s also possible to rent a car as part of a package holiday.

The advantage of package deals is the security you gain from knowing that holiday providers are regulated by ABTA and therefore will be bonded.

The downside is many operators will only hire cars in week-long blocks and may not provide a breakdown of the cost in their literature.

Also, tour operators and foreign hotels may only have a relationship with one hire company (not necessarily the cheapest) and add their commission fee to any quote