Car Rental guides

What you are actually paying for

A rental car quote is rarely the final price. The headline rate covers the car and basic use, while the expensive parts — insurance, fuel, extra drivers and one-way fees — are added at the desk. Understanding which charges are real and which are upsells is the fastest way to cut the cost of a road trip.

Collision damage waiver and the excess

The collision damage waiver (CDW) is not insurance; it is an agreement that caps your liability if the car is damaged or stolen. What matters is the excess — the amount deducted from your deposit when you make a claim. A policy with a “full” CDW can still leave you liable for a four-figure excess, which is exactly what rental desks sell extra cover to reduce.

You have two ways to remove that risk: buy the excess cover at the desk, usually the most expensive option, or buy an independent excess policy before you travel, which reimburses the excess after a claim. Independent cover is almost always cheaper, but you pay the claim yourself first and reclaim it later, so keep every document.

The counter hard sell, decoded

The desk agent is trained to sell add-ons, and a few of them are genuinely useful while others are not. Before you accept anything, know what you already have:

• Excess reduction. Worth it only if you do not have independent cover and cannot absorb the excess.
• Personal accident insurance. Usually redundant if you already have travel insurance.
• Roadside assistance. Often included; check before paying again.
• Additional driver. Sometimes a real fee, sometimes free — ask rather than assume.
• Fuel and toll packages. Compare the per-litre price against a local filling station before you prepay.

Fuel policy, mileage and one-way fees

Full-to-full is the fairest fuel policy: collect full, return full, and keep the receipt. Anything else is effectively a fuel surcharge. Check the mileage allowance too — unlimited mileage is common in Europe and North America but not guaranteed, and per-kilometre charges add up fast. One-way rentals usually carry a drop-off fee, so price the return leg before choosing the cheapest-looking quote.

Drivers, ages and licences

The named driver must be the person who collects the car, and most companies charge for every extra driver. Drivers under 25 typically pay a young-driver surcharge, and some destinations impose a maximum age. Carry your licence and, where required, an International Driving Permit — an unofficial “translation” sold online is not a substitute. Check whether your home licence is accepted for the class of car you are hiring.

Cross-border travel, tolls and cities

Not every rental agreement allows you to cross a border, and those that do often charge a fee or restrict which countries are permitted. Tell the company your route in advance, or you may find the cover void if something happens abroad. If your trip includes toll roads or low-emission city zones, ask whether the car is registered for them — otherwise you risk a fine that arrives weeks after you get home.

Booking checklist

1. Compare the total price, not the daily rate.
2. Confirm the excess and decide how to cover it.
3. Check the fuel policy and mileage allowance.
4. List every driver and check age limits.
5. Confirm cross-border and toll rules for your route.
6. Photograph the car inside and out before you drive away.
7. Keep the return receipt and final inspection record.

Once the car is sorted, make sure the rest of the trip is covered: pair this with travel insurance, pick up a travel eSIM for navigation, and browse our destination guides for scenic routes worth the drive. Our travel gear section has the practical kit — mounts, cables and coolers — that makes a road trip easier.