Posted: Wed Dec 14, 2016 2:27pm
Hi,
I,ve used car hire Co,s for 10yrs+ and they're all differrent conditions. Some actually lodge the security deposit against card and some just put a hold on deposit but dont actually charge.We mostly use Record or Goldcar who just put a hold on card.I cant praise enough a Co. called Hire car insurance 4 you,( look on google), They charge just £39.99 for a yearly insurance to cover excess on car hire( covers damage and theft, and amazingly even if you are a passenger in a hire car not just the driver.Well this year I had to claim for an idiot who smashed into the mirror and scraping car door whilst parked, then driving off.They were brilliant, They emailed the claim form immediately I got back home, and within 10days I had reimbursement into my bank for full damage cost of 511€.We go at least 4 times a yr hiring car each time and I have,full piece of mind now I am covered for any happenning. This yr we also used Firefly whose cost for 28 days was an unbeatable 39€ and a "holding" deposit of 1000€ but we were dubious as I'd heard some bad stories.Well they too exceeded my expectations, first I got there with no driving licence,"Horror"( left in my sons printer from him printing a copy to claim for accident previous as mentioned ,just month before).They gave me tel no of Swansea and Swansea sent an email to Firefly to confirm licence.It did all take 2hrs waiting but thankfully I got car ok and no mishaps this visit and no charge to car or waiting for refund of deposit.
To conclude, every company will demand a security deposit either charged to credit card or held pending, you must always read their conditions.This way they have funds to that amount for any damage/theft.They will only charge their cost of repair (which I can say is overinflated).However you either get differrence back if charged initially, or they just charge the amount on return. They are trusting you with on average a 10,000€ vehicle after all.In conclusion just go for best price and cover yourself with carhire4you insurance and if necessaey as deposits are now 1000€ approx get a raise of limit on credit card so you still have plenty to spend, if necessary. Hope this helps
Pauline.