• Always hire cars from reliable sources and search multiple sites for the best deals; some of the websites we use include the following: https://www.rentalcars.com/ , https://www.economycarrentals.com/ and https://www.economybookings.com/;
• Read reviews but do not base your decision solely on them, most of the reviews you find online are almost all negative (you will end up more confused anyway). In the past we have used companies such as Sicilybycar, Alamo, Locauto, Avis, Hertz, Autonom all very reliable;
• Before completing the booking read carefully the terms and conditions (inc the fuel policy);
• Driving on the Left vs. Driving on the Right: The majority of countries in the world drive on the right side of the road, where the driver's seat is on the left side of the car. However, there are many countries, particularly former British colonies, that drive on the left side of the road (like Malta), with the driver's seat on the right side of the car. Knowing the driving side of your destination is crucial, as it affects how you navigate traffic, roundabouts, and road signs.
• Ensure that the car has unlimited mileage especially if you will be driving a lot. Otherwise if you go above the stipulated mileage amount it will be very expensive;
• Check that a third party insurance is offered with the car rental. This can cover damaged caused to anyone or anything apart from you and the car rented itself;
• Ensure you purchase insurance that will cover your rental period, this can be done either with one of these booking websites during check out or at the counter with the car hire company directly;
• However you need to remember that with a third party insurance you still need to make a claim if something happens, with an over the counter insurance its more hassle free (however this is usually a bit more expensive, approx. €20-€25 a day);
• You can also opt to buy an annual insurance if you travel multiple times such as Questor (this is the cheapest option) https://www.questor-insurance.co.uk/;
• The rental company will ask you for a deposit ranging from €100 to €1,500, the amount will depend on the car hire company, the type of car booked and if you purchased full insurance with them;
• In most cases only credit cards are accepted so make sure that the amount that will be blocked is available on your card;
• Make sure you have a valid driving license with you and if driving outside Europe you also need an International Driving Licence;
• Always take pictures of the car before you start driving, take note of any dents the car might have;
• Make sure that these damages are also marked on the paper they give you with the car (sometimes this step is not done and they tell you to check the car yourself, so yes take lots of pictures);
• When returning the car make sure that someone checks the car and at that stage they need to hand you a signed paper certifying that everything is in order;
• Have a good GPS, we usually use SYGIC which can be downloaded on your mobile phone and is available both in free and paid version - https://www.sygic.com. Google Maps is also an excellent option;
• Check the Cross border terms and conditions, some car rental companies don’t always allow this and for some specific countries one might need to purchase toll sticker for example in Austria you need a vignette sticker to drive on highways while in Italy you pay the road tolls;
• Before departing from the car rental facility, it's crucial to request an emergency contact number from the rental agency. Additionally, it's wise to have a printed copy of the rental contract readily available. This printed copy is particularly advantageous compared to relying solely on the rental agreement email, especially in areas with limited or no internet connectivity. If internet access is available, it's advisable to download the rental agreement beforehand and save it to your phone for easy access in case of emergencies. In case of unexpected emergencies, having these two resources on hand ensures a smoother resolution process. Moreover, if you've purchased insurance from the car rental agency, it's crucial to ask for a copy of the insurance policy detailing what you're covered for, if you on the other hand have a third party insurance take a copy of the agreement with you;
• Last but not least, take all the necessary precautions, always follow the speed limits, don't drink and drive and be safe!
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