Skip advert
Advertisement

Brits running the risk of massive Euro car rental bills

British motorists abroad are snubbing insurance excess waivers on their rental cars, leaving themselves open to big bills.

Car accident damage

More than half of Brits hiring cars in Europe this summer could face a huge hidden rental bill at the end of their holidays, according to research by the Post Office. 

Figures reveal 56 per cent of UK holidaymakers aren’t protecting themselves from accidents or theft with excess waiver insurance (EWI), while three-quarters refuse to take out cover for glass, tyre or undercarriage damage.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Wales backs ban on smoking in cars with kids

On average the extra insurance – payable on arrival – is just 12 per cent of the accidental damage excess, but drivers are still running the risk of having to shell out hundreds of pounds if there’s a problem.

In Turkey, EWI costs £22.99 compared to an excess payment of £418. Brits renting in Switzerland have to pay £105.83 for the cover, but that protects them from a potential bill of £1,129.

Andrew Brown, of Post Office Travel Money, said: “It’s a false economy to cut costs by sticking to the basic cost when booking car rental online. What’s more, don’t leave it until you get to your holiday destination to find out how much the hire car is really going to cost. 

Calculate all the costs by doing your homework in advance to find out the realistic price of car rental and holiday motoring.” 

The Post Office’s Car Rental Report, which averages prices from Avis, Budget and Europcar, found Cyprus (£294.78) to be the cheapest destination for a week’s car hire, including an additional driver, sat-nav and 40 litres of petrol. Norway’s average price of £613.85 was the most expensive.

Will future cars be dimpled like Golf balls?

Holiday horrors: the big hire car bills you could face abroad 

 DestinationOne week rental payable7 day cost of EWI and tyre/ glass insuranceAccidental damage excess
1.Switzerland (Geneva)£432.64£105.83£1,129
2.Ireland (Dublin)£481.70£97.51£1,069
3.Portugal (Faro)£503.18£87.55£903
4.Malta (Luqa)£316.68£46.05£866
5.Spain (Costa Blanca)£363.69£99.10£839
6.Spain (Costa del Sol)£384.29£99.10£839
7.Spain (Majorca)£513.96£96.71£839
8.Norway (Oslo)£613.85£44.88£822
9.Italy (Pisa)£388.23£138.57£812
10.France (Nice)£461.84£91.22£670
11.Austria (Salzburg)£362.41£106.56£660
12.Cyprus (Larnaca)£294.78£48.49£593
13.Denmark (Copenhagen)£407.88£46.68£525
14.Greece (Corfu)£407.88£56.60£518
15.Croatia (Split)£508.97£111.15£453
16.Turkey (Marmaris)£324.87£22.99£418

Have you been on the recieving end of a big bill after a hire car accident abroad? Tell us about it in the comments section below...

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Chinese cars can’t match their European rivals when it comes to engineering
Opinion - Shanghai Auto Show

Chinese cars can’t match their European rivals when it comes to engineering

This new brand of cars might have battery tech on their side, but European buyers want much more than that
Opinion
25 Apr 2025
New electric car MoT tests could be coming to the UK
Tesla Model X on two-post inspection ramp

New electric car MoT tests could be coming to the UK

New technology and driver assistance systems require changes to annual testing, says EC
News
25 Apr 2025
Car Deal of the Day: the one and only Nissan Juke for less than £150 per month
Nissan Juke - left cornering

Car Deal of the Day: the one and only Nissan Juke for less than £150 per month

Nissan’s best-selling small SUV just got a little bit cheaper and is our Deal of the Day for 26 April
News
26 Apr 2025