STEER CLEAR OF CAR RENTAL RIP-OFFS

MY LEAST-favourite activity on holiday is hiring a car. But sometimes you need wheels!

The trouble is hiring a car puts you at war with the hire firm from the outset. That’s what my friend Adam’s father found when he hired a car through Ryanair after booking flights to Germany recently.

When he went to collect the car in Bremen, the sales person started a new booking and added on extras he had already declined when he applied online. He only managed to get a refund after constant nagging.

If you need to hire a car when abroad, organise the hire before you leave. Comparison sites such as holidayextras.com and travelsupermarket.com are worth looking at.

Also, arrange the car hire insurance before you leave, again using a comparison site such as which.co.uk, gocompare. com or confused.com to get the most competitive price. If you go with the hire firm’s own insurance deals, you’re likely to pay over the odds.

When you pick up the car, read the contract the company want you to sign. Check it is not trying to charge you again for insurance. Cross that off if you see it and demand a new bill.

Rental companies often try to scare you into buying excess waiver cover on top of your current insurance, but it’s just a money-maker for them.

Go over the vehicle and note and take pictures of any damage, in case you need to prove it upon return.

According to iCarhire insurance.com, almost a fifth of car hirers have found existing damage which was not marked on the paperwork at pick-up.