Most car rental companies have comprehensive websites that allow the potential clients to view, reserve and pay for their vehicle hire online.
Typically car hire UK companies are based in airports or busy city areas and they often deal largely with the tourist or business markets. There is also a big market in vehicles that would ordinarily be out of the purchase price range of the hirer.
A large proportion of the British car hire market is made up of vehicles that are hired whilst the hirer's car is being repaired. There are also a vast number trucks and vans rented out to people that want to move house.
Each company that offers car hire in the UK provide the service with different conditions. Some companies allow the hirer to pick up and drop off the vehicle they hire at different places in the UK. This makes it possible to take a vehicle on a one-way journey and return it near to your destination. Many companies include insurance and roadside assistance as part of the price they quote which makes it easy to manage your budget. Some deals cost more depending on the number of miles the vehicle is driven but an increasing number of companies offer agreements with unlimited mileage.
The history of car hire is said to trace back to the introduction of the first economical version of Ford's Model T. A Nebraskan man named Joe Saunders is said to have been the first to hire out a vehicle when he lent out his Model T to a travelling salesman that wanted to take a girl out on a date.
Walter L Jacobs opened a car rental business in Chicago in 1918. By 1923 the business was generating $1 million a year and was ultimately bought by John Hertz. Prohibition facilitated a growth in the industry. This was positive for the profitability of the industry however hire vehicles became associated with bootleggers, prostitutes and bank robbers. The reputation has improved greatly since then.
There are two types of car hire company.
Companies such as Alamo and Europcar own the vehicles in their fleet. The other type of company operates like a broker and has access to other companies' fleets of vehicle. Many car rental companies impose a strict minimum age bracket on their vehicles. Often this means drivers have to be over 25 to rent a hire car.
Many companies also require payment via a credit card. This makes it easier for them to trace the person in event of theft or if the hire company finds faults with the vehicle after the hirer has returned it.
With such a large number of car hire companies within the UK it is understandable that so many people are often bewildered with which one to choose. Ultimately you want to find a company that combines a low price with good levels of service. In addition, it is important to recognise what type of car you will need and any insurance inclusions you will need to add to the rental agreement. Hopefully the following information will give those in the UK essential advice to enable them to have a stress free and enjoyable car hire experience.
The first consideration when looking at hiring a car is to decide exactly what you will need the car to do. If you are returning to the UK from holiday then it is likely you will have a large amount of baggage, hence choosing one of the larger vehicles in the range will be an advisable course of action to follow. Additionally if you are travelling with the family, ensuring the vehicle is large enough to seat everyone comfortably is preferable. For many, having an environmentally friendly car will be important. If this is the case, thankfully there are some car hire companies in the UK that now supply hybrid vehicles to renters. Make sure all these considerations are made before booking the vehicle.
Many people will only be booking a car for a short period of time; if this is the case then one of the major rental companies is better as they can usually provide the lowest prices. Those hiring for a longer period of time however may want to undertake a little more research and find a local company. In smaller companies however the service offered varies greatly, hence finding an efficient and affordable one can be hit and miss. Remember that break down cover should be considered, normally larger companies will be able to provide better break down assistance than local companies. The major point here is to research each and every company extensively to ensure you find a good balance between service and cost.
Part of this research will undoubtedly take place on the internet; most UK companies have websites with the option to book online. This is usually advisable as many of the large companies will offer discounts to those booking over the internet. In some cases this can be as much as ten percent. Other ways to gain discounts is to use loyalty clubs, for those who use hire cars regularly; this can be extremely beneficial in the financial sense.
Whenever booking a vehicle it is vitally important to take time over the rental agreement; this will define the services you will receive and the costs you must pay. Gain an understanding of exactly what you are paying for and whether any additional charges may be applicable if you have to cancel at the last minute or are late on arrival. At this stage it is advisable to take a note of the booking conformation number, when booking online this will normally be sent by email although those booking over the phone will have to record it manually. In effect this number is your proof of purchase and hence it is important to have it on your arrival at the outlet.
Hopefully this information has given those hiring cars within the UK a better understanding of the rental process and ways to find the best deal. As previously stated the ultimate objective is to find a good balance between costs and service. The cheapest price does not always represent value, in some cases: paying a little more can lead to a far more rewarding experience.
Both Shaun Parker & Thomas Pretty are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
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