Hiring a car abroad can be just the ticket to exploring the area at your own pace, avoiding costly and time-consuming public transport. It can be a great way to access areas that are off the beaten track and see more of the place you are visiting.
That being said, preparation is key when it comes to hiring a car overseas. From purchasing insurance to learning driving laws, let’s take a look at some tips to make hiring a car abroad super-simple.
Protection is key
You will certainly need to purchase appropriate insurance for hiring a car abroad. Staff at car rental desks can sometimes be a bit pushy when it comes to selling their own insurance, so have your policy ready to show them. Car hire excess insurance can also be a really useful purchase and provides excellent peace of mind. Such policies, which are available from specialists such as Money Maxim, can be very inexpensive to buy and cover you in the event of damage to the car no matter how small, such as a chip to the windscreen.
Taking photos of the car straight away protects you if the hire company later indicates scratches that were there to begin with.
Make sure you read the small print when booking your hire car. This will give you specific information on exactly what is included and details of any collision damage waivers or other payable items, according to the consumer champion Which?
Read the rules and regulations
Take a few minutes before your journey to familiarise yourself with the rules of the road at your destination. In many countries, driving on the right is normal, but there can be various rules that differ from our highway code. Also, take a look at local speed limits so that you can safely drive within the permitted speeds.
Take your full driving licence when picking up your hire car, and check whether you need an international driving permit (IDP). This is not usually needed within the EU, but there are some exceptions.
Happy driving!