What to look for in overseas car hire
Hiring a vehicle abroad is very straightforward these days but there are still some unique aspects to overseas car hire that you don’t usually need to consider for domestic rental. The process of booking online however is easy, no matter where you’re going to be driving.
For car hire overseas, simply find a rental comparison site and then type in your details. These would typically include the dates that you need the hire itself and the city from where you want to pick up your vehicle.
Having input that information, you will be given a list of quotations and then it’s over to you to decide which one fits your requirements. Here is where you need to check all the little nuances of overseas hire that could trip you up if you aren’t in receipt of the full information.
If you’re visiting more than one country on your trip, be certain that your rental agreement covers you when you cross the border. Often this is just a case of making sure that your hirer is aware of your intentions so be clear on this point when you arrange the booking. If you pick the vehicle up from a specific location in any country in the world, your rental agreement may only cover you for car hire in that solitary country so make sure your full itinerary is covered.
Secondly, be certain as to whether your hire contract allows you to drive on any overseas roads. Some countries contain highways and mountain passes that are extremely treacherous and in most cases, your hirer will expressly forbid you to use them.
This issue should be made clear to you when you arrange your car hire but if you are in any way unsure, it pays to ask at the overseas hire office.
Before you set out on your trip, you should familiarise yourself with the local road network as well as all the individual rules and regulations that are pertinent to the country in question. Buy a local atlas and if possible, get a sat nav that covers the country in question.
Speed limits should, of course, be strictly observed and while these should be clearly signposted on your arrival, it will certainly help to get a general overview of the specific requirements before you travel. Be particularly aware of the countries that measure your average speed between two fixed points as these are rigorously monitored and the fines in some cases can be quite severe.
Lastly, make sure you check your vehicle for any damage when you pick it up and be certain that it has been recorded on the hirer’s inventory. This will give you peace of mind while avoiding any nasty surprises at the end of the car hire period.
Arranging car hire overseas is far from the headache that it may have been in the past. The growth of the internet means that you can compare companies in an instant and with a few clicks of the mouse, you’re off and running.
