The consumer advocates of the AK Upper Austria compared the prices for rental cars in 18 popular holiday destinations and found that there are large price differences of up to 130 percent. In an article from www.ots.at you can read that the consumer advocates recommend comparing several providers and booking the rental car directly with the provider. Experience has shown that online platforms are of little help in the event of problems and are rarely cheaper.
For the price comparison, the consumer advocates of the AK Upper Austria researched the prices of six car rental companies in various holiday destinations such as the Greek islands, Cyprus, Spain, Sardinia and Sicily. Popular rental stations in Portugal, France and Croatia were also included. The cheapest available car category was searched for, including all taxes, unlimited mileage, fully comprehensive and theft insurance, and the option of renting a navigation system.
When evaluating the comparison, the consumer advocates found that the cheapest rental car without excess can be found on Gran Canaria. You can book a rental car there for 199 euros. The most expensive offer without excess, on the other hand, was on Madeira for 944 euros. In most destinations, Sunny Cars had the cheapest prices (without excess).
There are different offers with or without deductibles. According to the current offers, the renter must pay up to 2,420 euros in the event of an insurance claim. However, travelers can opt for fully comprehensive insurance without deductibles to be on the safe side. A comparison of the cheapest offers for each destination with and without deductibles resulted in average additional costs of 55 euros per week.
The consumer advocates recommend that travelers compare prices calmly and not allow themselves to be pressured by supposed bargains. It is advisable to book directly with the provider, as experience has shown that online platforms are not very helpful and are rarely cheaper. One exception is the ÖAMTC and its online comparison of Avis, Europcar, Enterprise, Hertz and Sixt. The prices include comprehensive insurance cover with no deductible and members can save up to five percent when booking.
To ensure that the rental car does not become a cost trap, the consumer advocates offer a few tips. These include reading the rental contract carefully, checking the regulations included, such as insurance coverage, fuel regulations and what to do in the event of damage. When picking up the rental car, you should be careful not to be asked to pay twice, e.g. by taking out unnecessary additional insurance. It is also recommended that you inspect the car thoroughly and have the rental company record all existing damage. When returning the vehicle, you should have it confirmed that you have handed over the rental car without any damage in order to avoid discussions afterwards.
Overall, it is advisable to compare prices carefully when renting a car on holiday and to consider all important aspects such as insurance coverage and deductible. By booking directly with the provider, you can often benefit from better conditions.
Source: die-nachrichten.at
