Feb 18

Car Hire Excess Insurance – Home Country Rental

Car hire excess insurance in Your home country?

Car hire excess insurance policies designed to cover the excess  while the policy holder renting a car abroad on business or holiday. However many client want to rent a car at their home country or home town if they need a transportation. For cover the home country rentals excess insurance providers added this options to the excess cover policies.

EssentialTravel has a 150km restriction from the renter’s home address or Questor Excess Insurance only cover UK and Ireland residences when they renting a car near to their address.

The best option to cover the car hire excess in your home country to buy a dailyexcess policy from insurance4carhire. Dailyexcess protects you from paying excess charges WORLDWIDE including your country and your city. Dailyexcess available for residencies in any country hiring a car in any country.
Dailyexcess insurance price is only £4.75 (€6.27) per day and offers you great cover.

Feb 13

Hertz On Demand car sharing expands

Hertz On Demand expands its fleet in the greater Washington area. Car sharing will be even more available for visitors, workers and for D.C. residents also. The good thing about Hertz On Demand car sharing program that there are no annual, membership or late fees.

The car sharing will be available in all 8 Wards of District including:
– Union Station
– Adams Morgan
– Connecticut Avenue NW
– Pennsylvania Avenue SE
– Anacostia
– H St. NE
– Logan Circle
– Dupont Circle
– Columbia Heights
– Takoma
– Cleveland Park
– Friendships Heights
– Georgetown
– and South Capitol Street

Visitors and residents can sign up online on the Hertz On Demand’s site and they can book cars very easily. Advantages of Hertz On Demand car sharing program:
* Free membership fee and low hourly and daily rates.
* 180 miles, petrol and insurance are included in the rate.
* 24/7 live, in-car assistance from a team of Hertz Member Care experts.
* Hertz On Demand Rental fleet options include the Nissan Altima, Mercedes C300, Mitsubishi Endeavor, Cadillac CTS, Fiat 500, Chevy Cruze, Chevy Malibu, Mazda 2, Mazda 3 and Jeep Patriot. All-electric and plug-in hybrid cars, including the smart fortwo electric drive and Nissan LEAF,  are also available at Union Station as part of the Hertz Global EV program.
* No late fees at all.

Every member has a smart chip enabled card which provides them with keyless entry to any reserved car. They can also “communicate” with the car enabling representatives to unlock, engage and locate vehicles. All Hertz On Demand cars are equipped with iPod and Bluetooth connectivity, for hands free driving, as well as EZ Pass transponders

Hertz on Demand car sharing program is also really convenient for business purposes.Employers can arrange employees trips to nearby offices and off-site business meetings by car sharing. They can also give employees a money-saving perk by offering Hertz on Demand cars at work. Hertz on Demand also serves businesses and organizations including Marriott International, and BAA Airports Ltd.

Car hire excess insurance for car sharing too >>

Source: http://www.sacbee.com/2012/02/02/4234831/hertz-on-demand-hits-the-streets.html

Feb 09

Car Rental Fuel Policy in Spain – Fully Explained

When you are planning a holiday car rental probably you look for the best price and type of car available. One of the most overlooked detail could be the fuel policy. The car rental is one of the cheapest in Spain but with different fuel policies it could be really expensive.

What kind of fuel policy is the most common in Spain?
Please read the following fuel policies in the Spanish rental car industry.

The Pick Up full – Return Empty policy

In this case the rental company will supply a full tank of fuel at the beginning of the rental and charge the renter for it upfront. Then they will ask you to return the tank “empty”. Any unused fuel in the tank won’t be refunded. This means the rental company save the “trouble” for you to refill the tank before drop off. Of course it is not possible to use every drop of fuel and their fuel price is 10-30% more expensive than at the gas station. This mean if you would pay for a full tank €50 at the station the rental company will sell you this for €60-€70.

The Pick Up full – Return Full policy

In this case the rental company will supply a full tank of fuel at the beginning of the rental and charge a deposit upfront. Then they will ask you to return the tank “full”. If you return the car with a full tank they will release the deposit. If the tank isn’t full at the drop off they will refill the tank and charge for the missing petrol and refueling fee.

The full – empty policy looks bad for the customers first, but there are same advantages too. Most of the time with this policy in Spain you will get a “0 excess insurance” in the price. This insurance would cost €10-20 a day to have this with a full-full policy. You don’t have to fill up the tank and look for the closest petrol station to the airport.

Please consider the fuel options when you looking for the best deal car hire in Spain. It could save you a lot of money or filing ripped off. If you looking for a rental company with a full-full policy in Spain I would recommend checking out Avis’ website:

Feb 06

Top winter sun destinations

Koh Chang, Trat, Thailand
It’s pretty cold in Europe at the moment and we’re getting a bit fed up with this freezing cold and snow but you can always escape to somewhere warmer. Sometimes it’s hard to imagine that there hot beaches where you can enjoy the sun and the sea.

Let’s see the top 5 winter sun destinations in 2012:

  1. Thailand: Enjoy the winter sun where the average winter temperature is 28°C. It’s the “Land of Smiles” where you can visit many beautiful beaches but before you hit them discover the vibrating Bangkok. There are gorgeous resorts such as Phuket, Pattaya, Krabi and Phi Phi where fine, sandy beaches are waiting for you. Koh Samui and Koh Phangan are probably the most beautiful islands on earth. If you are more adventurous you can always visit the jungles of Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai.
  2. Goa: If you are a diving enthusiast then Goa is for you. The small island – the former Portuguese colony – is located on the west coast of India. Not only the beaches that you can spend your time on but there are also Hindu temples and Christian cathedrals to explore. The average winter temperature is 28°C.
  3. Barbados: turquoise sea and sandy beaches… you can’t wish for more in winter time. The average winter temperature is 28°C and you can really enjoy the winter sun there. The island is small and compact but there are lot of things to explore. Don’t miss the Oistins outdoor fish market where you can try local specialities – it’s not a posh place because the delicious meals are served on plastic plates – or a trip to Bridgetown. The natural beauty is astonishing there – the dramatic Atlantic coastline is really worth to see.
  4. Cuba: the largest Carribean island is also waiting for you during winter – the average winter temperature is 27°C so you won’t be cold here. Havana – the capital of Cuba – is full of beautiful sights like the Old Town which is UNESCO protected and the Malecón where you can stroll along. The night life of the capital is also really exciting and full of fun and music. There are of course superb beaches but if you’re into hiking then head to the Sierra Maestre because there’s 4000kms coastline to explore.
  5. Abu Dhabi: it’s another great winter sun destination which is one of the richest cities on the planet and it’s also the capital of the United Arab Emirates. Fantastic hotels, great restaurants and superb sandy beaches are waiting for you where the average winter temperature is “only” 25°C. The Sheikh Zayed Mosque is one of the main sights in the capital but make sure to visit the family-friendly Khalifa Park too. You can also find quality golf courses at Yat Island and the car enthusiasts will definitely pay a visit to Ferrari World Theme Park.

Car hire excess insurance >>

Jan 30

Winter destinations in the US – Alaska

There are many beautiful places in the world and there are many of them that you can explore during winter. Alaska may not as popular as other American winter destinations but it’s definitely worth to visit.
Let’s check out the top 5 winter destinations in Alaska:

1. Alyeska Resort (Girdwood): it’s a top class ski resort in Alaska which can provide skiers with lots of snow over a long season. It has absolutely fantastic views and there’s also a good hotel – Hotel Alyeska- where you can stay.

2. Barrow: if you want to check out the aurora borealis then head to Barrow which is located on the shore of the Atlantic ocean – it’s actually frozen at the moment. There’s not much light during this time – it’s 65 days darkness, watch out for polar bears.

3. Chena Hot Spring Resort: if you want to relax in hot mineral springs then Chena Hot Spring Resort is for you. It’s located 90-minute ride from Fairbanks and you can try as many winter sports as you want. It’s actually hard to choose.

4. Anchorage: If you are into Nordic skiing then you should head to Anchorage which offers 3 downhill skiing areas, dog mushing and groomed lake skating. During February and March you can also experience the carnival season because you can enjoy the Fur Rendezvous and the sled dog races.

Winter sunset in Anchorage, Alaska

5. Homer: it’s a very versatile place where you won’t be bored. In March you can try king salmon fishing or cross-country skiing plus you’ll get limitless ocean views from this beautiful place. There are also great art galleries in town and good restaurants where you can spend a cold evening.

Get the best out of Alaska. Enjoy the spectacular aurora borealis, the hot spirngs, the downhill skiing or the sled dog races. One thing is for sure – you won’t be bored here. Car hire excess insurance in the US >>
Alaska Trip 3 (795)

Jan 26

Car hire with a debit card

“Can I hire a car with a debit card?” It’s a common question for a car rental customer.  The answer is not that simple it depends on the car hire agent, the location you want to rent or what kind of debit card you have. If everything goes well it IS possible to use a debit card to pick up the rental car. Lets take a look at the options:

Payment options:

All major international cards accepted:
– Visa or Mastercard credit cards
– American Express, Diners Club
– Visa or Mastercard embossed debit cards
– Visa Delta debit card (except some countries ie. Spain)

Most likely not accepted:
– Visa Electron
– Maestro/Switch/Solo/Laser unembossed debit cards (Renting in the UK with one of these cards from a British bank can be possible)
– Prepaid or Gift Cards
– Cash payment

Please note: Some smaller local companies would accept cash or any card payment but usually they will ask for a cash deposit or take ie. the renters passport as a “security deposit”.
The same rental company will accept a debit card in one country (ie. England) but won’t accept it in an other (ie.Spain). If you want to be 100% sure about the payment method accepted by rental company you have to contact their local office to make sure they will take your card with no problem. If you are looking for a company which allow to use a debit card to rent their cars I would recommend Avis where you can use debit cards in most countries (including UK an US).

Visit Avis to get a quote to click here and pay with Debit Card!

Jan 23

Winter destinations in Europe

snowy morning
Just because it’s winter time you don’t have to stay at home among the four walls. You can still visit many great European cities that you can enjoy in winter too. Let’s see what are the most popular winter destinations in Europe in 2012:

  1. Vienna
    There are lot of museums and galeries that you can enjoy in January-February in Vienna. Don’t forget about the cosy cafes where you can try delicious Austrian cakes and coffees when the weather turns cold.
  2. Salzburg
    Salzburg is a winter wonderland at this time of the year especially when you see the city’s beautiful medieval, Romanesque, Baroque and Gothic buildings covered in snow. They are truly amazing. Although it’s winter you can still visit Mozart’s birthplace.
  3. Zurich
    We stick to the German speaking countries and introduce you to Zurich. Switzerland is not only for winter sport lovers but for other visitors too. You can walk around in the old town or hang out in one of the city’s chic cafes where you can indulge yourself with a tasty hot chocolate (heisse schoggi) or handmade pralines. If you’re a shopaholic you can stay indoors because the city offers you many chic boutiques.
  4. Prague
    Prague is a very romantic city in the summer but I think it’s even more adorable during winter when the snow covers the city and everything looks like you’re in a fairytale. The courtyard of Prague Castle is a must-see so don’t miss it. If you’re on a diet I have to admit that Prague it’s not for you because the delicious plates of pork and dumplings are not for the “faint hearted”. 🙂 It’s a plus that Prague is still very inexpensive.
  5. Malmö
    Let’s visit Scandinavia and this adorable Swedish city which is famous for its skyscraper Turning Torso and the Öresund Bridge which connect Malmö to Copenhagen. There are chich cafes, restaurants and bars everywhere -it’s really hard to choose.

I’m pretty sure that you can choose from these great European destinations. They’re worth to visit even now when the weather is a bit chilly.

Jan 19

Car2go wishes to expand to more than 50 cities worldwide

Car2Go Austin 2011

Car2go is another great car sharing network which is already operating in several countries i.e in the US, in Canada (Vancouver) and in Europe too – in Ulm, Hamburg, Amsterdam and Vienna. Car2go’s headquarter is located in Austin and they really stick together in 2012 too.  They signed a new agreement and the car sharing company will introduce several electric vehicles in this year in Austin.

What will car2go offer in 2012 to those who join their network?

  • smart fortwo EV’s
  • telematic touch screen inside the cars
  • zoom-in and zoom-out function on the GPS navigation
  • map that will include indicators for each car2go designated parking space
  • car2go members can use the service for $35 any time they wish
  • members can book the cars or they can also pick them up on the go at downtown Austin
  • when they finished with it they just have to leave it within car2go’s operating area
  • members pay $12.99 an hour/$65.99 a day – they basically only pay for the time driving the EV
  • the above mentioned price also include insurance, maintenance and fuel.

Car2go had/has great luck in Austin, they already have 21 000 registered members there which is really fantastic. It’s also a great addition to Austin’s transportation system. It helps reducing downtown congestion and the overall quality of life in Austin.

Jan 17

Excess reimbursement insurance vs Super Cover at the desk

Car Accident
CAR HIRE EXCESS INSURANCE vs. SUPER COLLISION DAMAGE WAIVER

 

Round 1. terms and conditions

Car hire excess reimbursement insurance: This kind of insurance policy were founded by insurance4carhire and ever since many insurance companies followed them and created their own car hire excess products. When you buy one of these products you are in contract with the insurance company not the car rental company. The reason for this that the policy covers you as a renter and not the rental car.

Super CDW: Offered at the the rental desk when you pick up your car (or sometimes during the online booking) by the rental agent. Usually the rental price include the CDW and with SCDW you can shift your liability to the rental company if something happens to the rented vehicle.

Round 2. the coverage

Car hire excess reimbursement insurance: It covers damage, theft, windows,  tyres, roof and undercarriage of the rental car. Top of this most of the product will cover loss of the keys, personal belongings locked in the car or even miss fueling the car can be covered. We can say it is possible to find a car hire excess product covering everything during your rental period. This car hire excess insurance product will cover the excess up to 3000GBP.

Super CDW: It covers damage and theft of the rental car. Usually won’t cover tyres, roof, keys and undercarriage of the car. Sometimes SCDW will only reduce the excess to a smaller amount (ie. instead of €1200 the excess will be €150 if SCDW purchased)

Round 3. the price

Car hire excess reimbursement insurance: The daily policy prices are between £1.90 – £4.47/day depending on where do you want to rent a car in Europe, worldwide or in your home country. Annual car hire excess policies are also available for multiple rentals under 365 days. This annual car hire excess cover’s prices start from £39/year.

Super CDW: The price varies from country to country and from rental company to rental company. Rental companies can charge between £10 to £25/day for their SCDW in most countries. There are some companies who will only charge £3-4-5 or 6/day in certain countries.

Round 4. claiming

Car hire excess reimbursement insurance: If anything happens to the car the rental company will charge the renters credit card or won’t release the amount blocked on the card. Then you have to claim it back that amount from your car hire insurance provider. This procedure requires to send the following documents to their claim departments: – Certificate of the insurance, – Car rental agreement, – Charge receipt, – Accident damage report, – Police report (if police attended), – Invoices/recipes or documents confirming the amount charged by the rental company  – Copy of the driver’s licence – Bank details. It can take some times (from a couple of days to 1-2 weeks) while they reimburse the amount charged by the rental company

Super CDW: It is important to follow the instructions what the rental company stated in the rental agreement if you were involved an accident. Usually you have to fill out and sign an accident report. There is no long waiting for the money to arrive back because they won’t charge it in the first place.

Jan 09

Get ready for the winter drive

I don’t want to scare anybody but winter drive can be dangerous so it’s better to get ready for your winter drive. It’s a fact and many people forget to check their cars before a long drive during wintertime. Here are a couple of tips that can help you to prepare your car:

  1. Always check your antifreeze
    It’s advisable to check your antifreeze solution in your car because it regulates the temperature of your car’s engine in cold weather (also in hot). Always make your that you have equal part antifreeze and water in your radiator that will stop fluids to freeze.
  2. Wiper blades are important during wintertime too
    The wiper blades might need a replacement because they can become cracked and worn so try to check them too. You can also fill up your car’s reservoir with winter blend wiper fluid so the water can’t freeze.
  3. Battery problems
    Battery can also cause you trouble in the winter. Check the battery strength and also the tightness of connections.
  4. Tires become lose when temperature is dropping
    Your tires can become lose because the cold weather and the dropping temperature so check the pressure at least once a month. It’s also important to know whether they have adequate tred which can grip icy roads too.
  5. Belts and hoses
    Always check belts and hoses because they might become weakened and cracked in the cold. It’s advisable to check them too.
  6. Keep an eye on road conditions
    You can always road conditions in advance – you can do it online or calling your local department of transportation.
  7. Keep distance
    When the road conditions are snowy or icy always keep a safe distance – the best to keep 3 times more distance than the usual one.
  8. Brake gently
    Brake gently and avoid skidding in icy conditions. You should also slow down. There are shady areas and bridges where you have to be even more careful.
  9. Don’t forget your emergency car kit
    It’s also important to pack your emergency car kit which will include jumper cables, flashlight, basic repair kit, water and food, warn clothes and blankets.

If you follow these 9 winter driving tips you can have a peace of mind and you can enjoy your winter driving holiday to the full. Car hire excess insurance for your winter holiday >>