With such a wealth of car hire services available in the UK those wishing to hire a car are spoilt for choice. Understanding the rental process and the services you are paying for is essential however, without key considerations it is easy to become hoodwinked. Hopefully the following advice will give UK residents the vital information that will help them to secure the best deal.



Naturally cost is always a factor when looking at car hire services. It is worth remembering however that taking the cheapest price does not always mean the best deal. It is important to take a detailed look at exactly what type of car you will need, in most cases it is advisable to err on the side of caution and to take the cheaper model, in some cases and upgrade may be available on the day for free, or even next to nothing.

When considering which car hire company to use it is worth studying their services and additional charges. For example, while the booking fee may be extremely cheap, if the company then puts on a large amount of fuel and insurance charges, the final price will be expensive. For those who want to grab a bargain, in the UK it is advisable to look at the smaller offices rather than the outlets in built up areas or in airports. This is because the companies often have to pay more to host their services in these popular places and hence by choosing an outlet out of the way, a more affordable price can be achieved.

Once you have made the choice of which company to use there are a number of factors that should be remembered before jumping in the hire car. For example, in the UK, any other drivers that are likely to be in control of the car should be added to the rental agreement; if they are not, insurance issues can arise resulting in extremely high penalties. Additionally, make sure the car meets your needs, if you have a large amount of luggage, upgrading to a larger model may be advisable; especially if travelling with the rest of the family.

Legislation in the UK now demands that any children under the age of twelve or less than 1.5 metres need to have adequate seating. This means putting child seats in the car; thankfully however a large number of hire companies have provisions to add child seats to vehicles as long as prior notice is given. More generally, whenever travelling outside the UK, it is advisable to read through any local legislation pertaining to travel.

Today the car hire industry makes a lot of money from additional insurance extras. These can include collision, loss and liability waivers and in some cases are worth paying for. It is however important to look at your personal or motor insurance, as well as your credit card cover to assess whether this additional coverage will be required.

Once the rigmarole of the hire desk is out of the way it is time to pick up the car. This is where it is important to make a detailed check of the vehicle to see if there is any existing damage or problems. If these are present, it is always advisable to tell the representative forthwith. If this is not done, it is easy for the company to charge you for damage that has not been caused by your person.

Hopefully this information has given those planning to hire a car in the UK advice on how the rental process works and the best ways to secure a great deal. With a logical approach it will possible to find the perfect balance between cost and services.