SCOTS holidaymakers warned they face 400% hike in car hire costs

SCOTTISH holidaymakers have been warned they HUGE hikes in car hire prices this year, compared to before the pandemic.

iCarhireinsurance.com looked the cost of hiring a medium compact motor in the first week of our summer hols in six popular destinations and found prices had increased by over 400% in some cases.

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Average weekly car rental rates for July 2-9 this year range from £769 in Faro (£177 in 2019), £729 in Nice (£234 in 2019), £580 in Barcelona (2019 n/a), £646 in Milan (2019 n/a), £567 in Crete (£263 in 2019) and £364 in Dalaman (2019 n/a).

The extras sold at the rental desk can also add nearly £350 to a final car hire bill.

The average excess liability – the amount drivers have to pay if the hire car is damaged or stolen, even if it is not the hirer’s fault – across the study was over £1,000.

To insurance against this car hire firm offer Excess Waiver, which protects drivers from the liability and it’s usually the largest outlay for travellers at the rental desk after the car hire costs.

Many companies offer three different policies i.e., Super Damage Waiver (£113 average cost), Super Theft Waiver (£11 average cost) and Tyre and Windscreen cover (£38 average cost), with a combined average cost, in the study, of £162 a week in Europe. 

That’s four times more expensive than a policy from a specialist insurance provider, like iCarhireinsurance.com, which charges £35.48 for a week covering damage, theft, and tyres and windscreen cover.  Annual European polices are from £44.99. 

While it may be useful to have an extra driver on a policy, it can really add to the final bill.  The study found the average price is £54, but Hertz in Barcelona charges £95, whilst Avis in Dalaman charges only £8.

The most expensive place to rent a sat nav is with Avis in Milan where it costs £118, but the average price is £71, and Avis in Dalaman charges the least at £14.

Taking tots on your travels also costs, with car seat costs coming in on average at £60 in Europe, but Budget in Milan charges a whopping £191, while Budget in Dalaman is just £15.

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Ernesto Suarez, founder and CEO of iCarhireinsurance.com, said: “Prices for most things are going up, and car hire is no exception, but good deals are still available if you shop around.

“Make sure you check the prices of any extras you need, or the headline price may end up not being as good as you thought.

“Also consider buying car hire excess insurance from a specialist insurance provider, rather than the excess waivers sold at the rental desk.”

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