What do you need to know about renting a car abroad?

The car allows you to move freely on the other side. Renting a vehicle is not as difficult as it seems. The instructions will help you figure out this case.

Where to choose a car: on the Internet or in real life?

Booking a car online saves money. It is better to do this in advance, otherwise there will be only a few expensive options.

It is recommended to study the websites of rental companies and aggregators. The latter have lower prices. However, it is necessary to read reviews on such sites in order not to run into scammers.

If the customer is not provided with a car on time, the rental company must replace the vehicle with the same or with a higher class. The cost remains the same.

Network and local distributors

Local companies are good in several ways:

• they have a favorable price;
• a low deposit is required, or it is completely absent;
• not strict requirements are put forward for drivers, sometimes cars are given to people who have not reached the prescribed age or have just received a license.

They also have disadvantages:

• there are few points for receiving and returning cars;
• they are trying to get more money out of visitors;
• a narrow range of cars, it is not known how they are serviced.

The popularity of a local agency does not mean that there will be no problems. Branches of international companies in cities differ in the quality of service. If there is a conflict, it is recommended to file a complaint with the head office.

Car rental prices

The price indicated on the websites includes only basic insurance and some mileage. You need to pay extra for:

• full insurance, in which the driver is not responsible for damage;
• age below the established threshold, little driving experience;
• the "second driver" option, when people take turns driving the car;
• using a car seat, navigation system;
• border crossing;
• delivery and return of the car in several points;
• exceeding the set mileage.

When, instead of the specified price, another one is required, it is worth clarifying what the reason is. Usually the cost includes services that can be removed.

Sometimes the surcharge is deducted from the card after the return of the car. It is important to carefully study the contract. It prescribes all the pitfalls.

Insurance

The booking includes basic insurance against theft and damage. You will have to pay extra for the rest. It is better to purchase full insurance, it costs 15 euros per day.

Requirements for the driver

Agencies take into account 2 criteria:

1. Age. In almost all European countries, the driver must be at least 19 years old. In some places, this threshold is 21 or 25 years.
2. Driving experience specified in the certificate. The most common are 1 and 3 years.

Companies can increase the price of rent or deposit for citizens under the age of 25 or with little experience.

How important is an international driver's license?

It is better that it be framed. The countries participating in the Vienna Convention do not want to rent cars to citizens without an international driver's license. The national certificate is not enough.

When drivers with a Ukrainian license got into an accident, they were found guilty only because of the document. In the countries that have signed the Geneva Convention, both national and international certificates are required.

Two drivers

It is necessary to notify the agency about the presence of two drivers before concluding the contract. When a driver gets into an accident who should not be in the car according to the documents, the insurance does not apply. The damage is compensated out of their own money. The second driver is subject to the same requirements as the first. For another person, you will have to pay extra from 1-2 euros per day.

Deposit

Almost all distributors require an insurance deposit. Its amount is affected by the car model and rental conditions (200-3000 euros). Usually the set amount is frozen on the client's card. Unlock it within 30 days from the date of return of the car.

Rent payment

Most often, the rental is paid at a branch of the company. Before that, the car is inspected, a contract is concluded. Money is debited from the card. Sometimes it is possible to pay in cash. However, unpleasant things can happen. The driver pays the rent, he is not given a receipt and money is withdrawn from the card specified at the time of booking. You should always ask for a check and not throw it away.

Returning the vehicle, the driver pays the remaining costs, fines. Notification of the latter may come a few months later.

Card for rental

In most cases, a credit card is required. Due to this, a person says goodbye to bank funds for a month, not personal ones. It is important that the credit limit is higher than the deposit fee. No interest is charged on the reserved money.

The main thing is that the card is registered to the main driver.

Conclusion of the contract

The cause of problems may be inattentive reading of the contract before signing. It is necessary to carefully study all the items, especially those written in small print. Some agencies charge an advance payment from the card when booking. It is allowed to cancel the rental and not lose the withdrawn amount only for a short period. It is best to conclude a contract that does not require payment before receiving the car. In this case, the company does not need credit card information at the time of booking.

It is necessary to take into account what is prescribed regarding fuel. When he has a full tank when issuing a car, then upon return it should be the same. We need to leave a receipt from the gas station. If the driver forgot about it, he will be required to pay at the rate specified in the documents. It is beneficial only for the distributor. In eastern countries, on the contrary, the car is usually issued with an almost empty tank.

Accidents

If you get into an accident, you need to contact the police, as well as inform the distributor. They will tell you what to do next. If the damage is minimal, the driver goes on, and upon return gives the landlord a police report.

Breakdowns

If the car breaks down on the way, you need to call the agency and wait for a new vehicle to arrive from the nearest branch. You can go after him yourself.

False accusations

Not all distributors are honest. Some make false accusations against drivers. They can attribute to him the damage that was caused even earlier. To prevent this unpleasant situation, it is recommended to carefully inspect the car, take pictures of all the damage and ask to document them. Upon return, it is necessary to obtain confirmation that the distributor has no claims.

Since the agency is provided with the card data, they can later withdraw money from it for the damage that was allegedly discovered. To avoid such consequences, it is necessary to save all documents about car rental. If there is a rental agreement and confirmation of the absence of claims, the fine will be invalid.

It is better not to get rid of the parking receipt. It will be required if the city government mistakenly fines the driver for violating the rules. This instruction will help you rent a car in another country and not overpay. It is important to familiarize yourself with the state traffic regulations, parking rules and the availability of toll roads.