As the summer holidays approach, iCarhireinsurance.com has created a guide to hiring a car to protect customers from the pitfalls and insurance confusion. The guide is available to download from www.icarhireinsurance.com.

Top tips include;

1. Read the small print - Check carefully what is included in the deal and that you understand the terms and conditions. Key things to look out for include what charges are there if you pick up or drop of your car outside of the pre-booked times, what is the policy on fuel, are you liable for the excess payment, even if the damage is not your fault and is there a limit on your daily mileage. For example, most policies have unlimited mileage, but some limit you to 100 miles a day and charge £1 - 2.50 for every extra mile.

2. Check your car hire insurance

  • When hiring a car in the USA, Canada, the Caribbean, Central and South America, you are required to have CDW (Collision Damage Waiver) / LDW (Loss Damage Waiver) - covering damage, theft and loss of use of the rental vehicle, Supplemental Liability Insurance (SLI) - covering Third Party; i.e. other vehicles and Super CDW is recommended (excess insurance). You have the choice of hiring a car inclusive, or exclusive of insurance but make sure you purchase it before you arrive as cover bought from the car rental desks generally costs between £10 - £20 a day, but www.iCarhireinsurance.com charge from £4.99.
  • When driving in Europe your insurance is included, but you are likely to be liable for the excess payments even if any damage done is not your fault, which can be more than £1500. Buy your excess insurance before you arrive as excess insurance bought from car rental desks often doesn't include damage to the roof, tyres, windows or undercarriage and costs around £9.99 a day, compared with £2.99 from www.iCarhireinsurance.com.

3. Check your vehicle - Check the vehicle carefully before you drive away for any damage and make sure that these are noted on the rental agreement. Taking photos of the car on your mobile if there is any damage is a good idea if you are concerned. Allow plenty of time when returning your vehicle, to allow it to be inspected by a rental company employee. If it is too dark, or poor weather makes it difficult to check the vehicle, again make sure that this is noted on the rental agreement and inform them as soon as you notice something.

4. Driving abroad - Make sure you are aware of the driving rules and regulations of the countries you will be visiting. In some countries it is the law that you carry reflective jackets and vehicle warning triangles. Non compliance could be an on the spot fine of between 90 and 135 Euros. Make sure you aren't breaking any rules before you drive in a new country. If you are hiring a car in the UK make sure that your insurance covers you for driving near your home or In-Country. Many policies include distance restrictions from your main residence and are only valid when you hire a car abroad, so make sure that you are covered."

5. Driving license, passport and credit card - When hiring a car you will need a full driving licence, relevant for the type of vehicle you are hiring. You are also likely to need additional identification like a passport or utility bill. Most rental companies will also require you to have a credit card, as many either take a copy, or some actually freeze the excess amount in your account, until the car is returned safely to them. Make sure that you have enough credit on your card for this to happen, and still let you use the card if you need to during the rental.

Ernesto Suarez, Chief Executive Officer of iCarhireinsurance.com said, "A lot of people find hiring a car confusing. Many are surprised when they are stung with unexpected charges when their flight is delayed and they have to pick up their car outside of the agreed times. Others don't realise that they are liable for the excess payments even if the damage done to the car is not their fault. We have tried to take the mumbo jumbo out of car hire with this guide."

Ends

For more information contact;

Ernesto Suarez

Chief Executive Officer

Halo Insurance Services Ltd

+44 7545 269 408 | +44 844 826 6561

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Cath Roan

Roan Media

+44 7801 817 451

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Notes to Editors

Founded in 2009, iCarhireinsurance.com is a groundbreaking new online insurance service that takes the hassle out of hire car insurance. It offers a range of policies that are fully comprehensive, simple to understand, unbeatable value and accepted at all car rental locations worldwide.

iCarhireinsurance.com is a registered trading name of Halo Insurance Services Limited. Halo Insurance Services Ltd was founded by Ernesto Suarez, a leading insurance professional with 10 years experience in the industry.

Halo Insurance Services Limited is registered in England number 6929208. Authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority Register No. 504629 for the sale and administration of general insurance products in the United Kingdom and throughout the European Economic Area (EEA).

Halo Insurance Services Ltd is backed by Bridges Ventures and Magenta Partners.

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Disclaimer: All prices contained in this article were correct on the original date of publication. Prices may change over time, so for current prices, please get a quote.