Hire cars are in great demand in the UK, especially in major cities. At the same time, the service is popular regardless of residence. Visitors pick up a set of wheels to move around the area in comfort, while locals rent autos in case their personal cars are being repaired.
Today, multiple companies are present in the rental industry. These include big international players like Enterprise, Hertz, Avis, Budget, and Sixt, as well as smaller ones like Flizzr, Interrent, Bucks, and others. On the one hand, such diversity is a blessing because competition improves the quality of services provided. On the other hand, the abundance of companies significantly complicates your choice.
But how do you find the right supplier? No worries! Before making a booking, analyse them according to the following criteria:
Cost
Price is one of the most important factors in the car rental company selection process. You always look at the cost. Each supplier has a unique pricing policy, and it’s not surprising that the cost of the same car can vary significantly from agency to agency.
You probably prefer a lower price tag. However, the right strategy is to monitor what the price includes and what you are paying for. While one company provides optional equipment by default, another offers it for an extra charge. Therefore, make small calculations to choose a deal with the best ratio of price and services received. Also, you can additionally check info on how to save regardless of the selected provider.
Lineup
The range of vehicles is one more criterion to consider. For example, some agencies specialise in budget cars. If you book an auto from such a company, you won’t be able to upgrade it if necessary. That is why we recommend looking at which vehicle categories are available from the vendor you are going to choose.
Popular international suppliers typically provide mini, economy, compact, midsize, standard, and full-size vehicles. Also, you can choose between SUVs, 7-9 seater minivans, premium and luxury cars, convertibles, and 10-15 passenger vans. The wider the lineup, the wider your choice.
Rental conditions
Rental conditions are the basic concept of each company – it’s a list of its requirements, recommendations, and prohibitions. So, before booking a car hire, compare terms from different suppliers.
At Rental24.co.uk, you can browse the T&Cs of Enterprise, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Alamo, and other providers in order to find a cheap car hire in the UK that suits your needs. Pay attention to items such as:
- mileage policy
- amendment and cancellation policy
- minimum age and underage options
- list of required documents
- payment and deposit policy
Before confirming a booking, make sure you fully understand and comply with all rental conditions. If you have questions, please contact the agency in advance.
Reviews
An important step when choosing a provider is to look at reviews about it on the Internet. Generally, higher-rated agencies have better value for money, faster pick-up and drop-off processes, and cleaner cars.
Even better if your friends have had a positive rental experience with a supplier and can recommend it to you. Anyway, look for truthful sources of information, and make a choice based on the experience of previous customers.
Additional services
Often, you need certain optional extras to make your ride more comfortable and safer. Among the essential amenities offered by car rental companies are:
- Infant/child/toddler seat
- Satellite (GPS) navigator
- WiFi access
- Toll tag
- Snow chains
What’s more, you may need an additional driver or prepaid fuel option. If you can’t do without such an add-on, please check if a certain agency can offer it.
Insurance and deposit
Each rental vehicle must be insured against any emergency. Highly-trusted agencies usually provide a minimum coverage plan including collision protection and third-party insurance. Upon request, you can purchase full insurance, or use alternative options.
Also, pay attention to the amount of the deposit. The deposit is the amount blocked on your bank card for the period of the trip. It usually ranges from £200 to £1500 depending on the company and vehicle class.
Payment method
The majority of suppliers accept a credit card as a preferred payment method. However, some agencies also allow you to rent and pay with a debit card. Thus, choose a company based on the type of your bank card. Please note that when paying with a debit card, the provider may apply additional documentary requirements and issue a credit check to verify your ability to pay.
In general, most rental companies offer a decent level of service, and you can’t go wrong if you opt for one of the big international vendors. Still, you can try to save money by choosing a local firm, which is often more budget-friendly. Undoubtedly, the best way to dispel all the guesswork is to compare them directly according to certain criteria. Therefore, if you are preparing for a road trip in a rental car, start your search in advance so that you have enough time for all the procedures.
