Looking for a holiday rental car?

These tips can save you a lot of money

Created: 06/08/2022, 12:31 p.m

In some places, the scarce supply is driving up rental car prices © Renault / SP-X (symbolic image)

If you treat yourself to a rental car at your holiday destination, you sometimes have to reckon with hefty prices.

But if you follow a few tricks, you can still land a smart deal.

This year, more and more Germans are going on holiday abroad again.

In order to be mobile on site, many will also treat themselves to a

at their destination , which can be quite expensive this year.

During the Corona years 2020 and 2021, vehicle rental companies significantly reduced their contingents and have not increased them to the pre-Corona level since then.

Accordingly, the scarce supply is driving the price up in some places.

Rental car prices in Germany and abroad - it's worth comparing

The

is to

.

If you

want to travel

, because the closer the holiday gets, the smaller the available contingents become, which usually also has an impact on the price.

Ideally, a vehicle is reserved three to four months before the actual rental.

Spontaneous people who only rent a car when they arrive at the airport have to reckon with a smaller selection and higher prices.

If you don't want to trawl through countless rental company websites to

, you can get an overview of the market from the offers on comparison portals such as

,

or the ADAC car rental company.

You will usually find offers from various landlords here, which can also be easily compared.

Thanks to the sorting functions, the best offer can be found quickly, which does not always have to be the supposedly cheapest one.

When comparing the offers, it is therefore crucial to examine the most important conditions more closely.

What are the rental car fees like?

As a rule, the

are calculated from the

and

.

Some contracts include a limited number

.

If this kilometer limit is exceeded, hefty surcharges are sometimes charged for additional kilometers.

is recommended

.

You can also save if

, because additional drivers cost extra.

Most car rental companies have a lower age limit of 25 years, some even let 18-year-olds drive, but then also charge a surcharge.

Warning lights in the car and what they mean

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Rental car prices: note surcharges for extras

can be particularly hearty

.

If you want to save the money for

that is subject to a surcharge , you should use your own mobile phone as a digital signpost.

If you need a booster seat, it is best to bring it with you from home.

A child seat that is unsuitable for taking with you on the plane must be ordered from the car rental company.

This should definitely be done when booking in advance, otherwise it could happen that you get nothing on site.

also read

Terror of traffic offenders: New all-round speed camera not only aimed at speeders

These assistants in the car will be mandatory from July 2022

Once all the parameters for the vehicle rental have been defined,

.

Otherwise there could be

on site .

With the online reservation you usually receive a

, but the contract with the rental company is concluded at the place where the

is handed over.

If you want to be on the safe side, read the General Terms and Conditions.

A little tip: Ideally, the

can be canceled free of charge up to 24 hours before pick-up.

Also, the renter should read the

respect, think highly of.

If a Renter arrives at the vehicle rental after the agreed time due to a flight delay, the Owner may cancel the booking and withhold any prepaid monies.

The renter is also without a vehicle.

Which insurance is suitable for the rental car on vacation?

At the rental station,

and a

are often offered before the vehicle is handed over , which usually increases the costs unnecessarily.

Really recommendable is only a real

and a

of at least one million euros.

Fully comprehensive insurance covers self-inflicted damage to the rental car, but the rental companies mostly demand a deductible.

Additional insurance can often be booked for a surcharge, which excludes the deductible.

Also

are offered.

Everyone has to decide for themselves which type of insurance to choose.

Liability is the cheapest, but carries the risk of liability towards the landlord if you are at fault.

The fully comprehensive tariff is the better protection.

Incidentally, comprehensive insurance is also important if the rental car is stolen.

Without them, the customer is left with the costs.

On the other hand, you can do without additional passenger insurance or luggage insurance.

You can also find out

more about

Key delivery outside of business hours can be expensive

Ideally, rental cars should be returned during the rental company's

so that an employee

.

If the vehicle is parked outside of business hours, there is a risk that damage incurred after parking will be charged.

Ideally, the car will also be returned within the

.

In the case of delays, some landlords charge another full day for just a few minutes overdue.

And if you have a rental contract with a practical full-full tank rule, the vehicle must be full of fuel when you return it.

Also the

can be expensive, because not all providers work seriously.