Enlarge image
Rental cars: Extra costs will be charged which are by no means always justified
Photo: NomadSoul / Panthermedia / imago images
The car is handed in, the vacation is over - and then comes a cheeky, completely inflated bill.
This is often a bitter reality with rental cars.
Rentals claim allegedly repaired paint scratches or tire damage, a refilled tank or a special cleaning of the interior.
And that usually means: It will be really expensive.
In any case, rental car prices are higher this year than they have been in a long time.
On the Balearic island of Ibiza, for example, prices for a rental car shot up by up to 235 percent compared to 2019.
A rental car there costs an average of just under 70 euros per day, in 2019 this value was around 20 euros, as the comparison portal Check24 found.
All the more annoying when extra costs are charged that are by no means always justified.
DER SPIEGEL names the typical tricks used by car rental companies and gives tips on how you can defend yourself.
The "old scratch" trick
Rental cars are often handed over in rather gloomy parking garages or underground garages. Previous damage to the car, such as scratches in the paintwork or small stone chips in the windshield, is difficult to detect. The problem: If these scratches are complained about later after the return, the renter may have to pay for them, even though he did not cause the damage. In principle, all previous damage should be noted on the handover report, which is handed over when the keys are handed over. If this is not the case, "the tenant must insist that they be registered," advises the ADAC. Otherwise it can get expensive.
"For damage that could actually be repaired inexpensively, the complete replacement of a vehicle part, for example a bumper, is then billed," says Thomas Laske, lawyer and specialist at the VZHH consumer center in Hamburg.
However, car rental companies are not obliged to repair scratches in the paintwork.
"The same damage could theoretically be charged to several customers," says Laske.
Tip:
When you pick up and return everything in, on and around the car, use your smartphone to take a picture of the vehicle's condition.
Ideally, a second person who is not in the rental agreement is present as a witness.
Their statement and the pictures can then be the decisive trump cards in the fight against the rip-off attempt.
The "filling up" mesh
There are various tank regulations for rental cars.
Experts recommend the “full / full” rule: the car is picked up with a full tank and returned with a full tank.
The advantage: Only the fuel costs for the kilometers actually traveled are paid.
However, if the tank is not full when you return it, it will be expensive.
Because landlords who have to refuel the car themselves often charge hefty flat rates.
And that sometimes happens even though the car was returned with a full tank of fuel.
Tip:
keep the fuel receipts.
Also, take a photo of the fuel gauge when you drop off the car.
"This means that sometimes excessive fuel flat rates can be avoided," according to the ADAC.
T
your supplementary insurance
Car rental companies often work with local representatives in holiday regions.
These sometimes urge you to take out additional car insurance.
The contracts are then only available in the national language or in English.
Often unnecessary and usually expensive additional insurance is taken out of uncertainty.
Tip:
»It is generally sufficient to take out fully comprehensive insurance in advance when booking online via the usual portals.
Additional on-site insurance is usually not necessary, ”says VZHH expert Laske.
The off-road storage
There are terrains on which rental cars may not be driven according to the contract, for example in open terrain.
This is intended to reduce damage to paintwork and stone chips.
If the rental car is heavily soiled when it is returned and there are additional quirks on the car, some landlords will charge for the violation of this ban.
Tip:
Pay attention to previous damage when renting.
If the car is badly soiled before it is returned, it is better to drive it through the car wash.
In this way, unnecessary costs can be avoided later.
more on the subject
Shortage of rental cars in the USA: Going on vacation - if necessary in the furniture vanBy Ines Zöttl, Washington
The sand trap
A trip to the beach is often part of a vacation.
Sand in the interior cannot then be completely avoided.
But that too can be expensive.
Some landlords charge special cleaning for "excessive" soiling in such cases.
“There is no definition of what is excessive and what is normal pollution.
The landlords try to take advantage of that for themselves, «says Laske.
Tip:
If the car is sandy, it is advisable to vacuum it before handing it in.
It is also advisable to document the condition of the interior with a photo upon delivery.
In case of doubt, the pictures are evidence.
The second credit card stipulation
When renting a convertible in Spain, two credit cards often have to be deposited and both have to be made out to the vehicle renter.
Another person's card will not be accepted.
If the tenant does not have two credit cards, he will not receive the vehicle of his choice.
Instead, the booking of a different vehicle with a significantly lower value is suggested - but the difference in costs is not necessarily reimbursed.
"The tenant then pays the convertible price, but drives a closed vehicle," says Laske.
Tip:
Inquire with the landlord in advance, especially in the case of expensive rental cars, whether one person must have two credit cards.
Five other things rental car customers should be aware of
Pay a parking ticket!
Otherwise, the landlord will charge the credit card with the fine plus its own processing fee.
It is essential to book accessories such as child seats, roof racks and the like in advance.
This is often costly on site.
Return your rental car on time!
On the one hand, because a rental day consists of 24 hours.
If the car comes back just a few minutes later, an additional whole day is usually charged.
In addition, extended insurance cover ends on the agreed date.
In the event of an accident afterwards, only the standard insurance applies.
The reduced deductible from fully comprehensive insurance no longer applies either.
So it can get expensive.
Always register a second driver!
Insurance cover expires in the case of unregistered drivers behind the wheel.
In the event of damage, all costs must then be borne by yourself.
Book online as early as possible. In contrast to last-minute package tours, you can never really get a bargain when booking a rental car at the last second. The comparison of different offers is also much easier online than on site.