Car Hire Guide, Part Four: Collecting Your Hire Car

Continuing the serialisation of The Auto Europe Car Rental Roadmap, our online guide to every aspect of hiring a car, this week we are summarising the key steps involved in collecting your hire car.

First and foremost, You will need the following to collect your car: Full (both parts) and Valid Drivers' License, Credit Card in the Primary Driver's Name, Your Auto Europe Voucher.

Here's a summary of what to expect and what you need to do:

• Locate the Collection Desk: Remember, if you hired your car from a brokerage, such as Auto Europe, then you need to identify which company is supplying your vehicle with and make your way to their desk. All details will be on your reservation voucher.
• Sales at the Desk: Do expect the staff on the collection desk to try and sell you some extras when you collect your hire car. Usually you will be offered one or all of the following: refundable excess insurance, personal injury insurance and breakdown insurance. Please be aware that any extra insurance purchased at the car hire collection desk is likely to be more expensive than policies arranged prior to your trip. You are under no obligation to buy. They may also try to sell you a tank of fuel - again be aware that this is often slightly more expensive than using a petrol station although is obviously much more convenient.
• Rental Agreement: You will be asked to sign a rental agreement. It is worth taking time to check the agreement, including any small print! You will be bound by the terms & conditions of this agreement even if you purchased the actual rental via a brokerage.
• Credit Card Deposit: A credit card, in the name of the primary driver, is required to hold a deposit for the period of the rental. The credit card must have enough credit to block a security deposit which is usually a minimum of an insurance excess payment + VAT + fuel. Cash or debit cards are rarely, if ever, accepted.
• Fuel: Is your car on an empty-to-empty contract or do you need to return it with half or a full tank of fuel? Do you know if your car is petrol or diesel?
• Vehicle Damage Checklist: We know that everyone wants to just hop into their hire car and go - please don't! Instead, take the time to quickly inspect your vehicle for any scratch or dent. Any damage, no matter how seemingly insignificant, should be marked on your rental agreement.

Log on next week, same time and same place, for part five of this informative serialisation which suggests what needs to be done at the end of your trip when you return your hire car. If you can't wait seven days, or would like to read more, then simply click here now.