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Holidaymakers warned of car hire insurance scams
Tens of thousands of British holidaymakers are ay risk of car hire scams across Europe, according to a recent investigation by ChooseMyCar.com.
From ineligible ‘insurance’ policies to hidden ‘cleaning’ costs, it says there are many pitfalls that holidaymakers face when hiring a car.
It is warning Brits about the potential issues after being contacted by many customers who had fallen foul of scams, in particular when purchasing insurance protection.
This often happens when customers buy what is advertised as ‘full insurance cover’ through popular apps like Rentalcars, just to find that the policy is all but useless.
In a detailed account, a customer who booked a large SUV for a 10-day family holiday opted for a £61.57 ‘full protection’ insurance policy from Zurich, offered via a rental car app.
However, upon arriving at the rental desk of OK Mobility, they were shocked to learn that this insurance, although from a reputable third-party company, was independent of the rental company and did not directly cover any damages.
Instead, the customer was informed they would need to pay for any damages upfront and then seek reimbursement from Zurich.
The customer then felt pressured to purchase additional insurance directly from the rental company.
This extra cover cost a staggering £400.
This case echoes warnings issued by financial expert Martin Lewis, who highlighted the pitfalls of insurance policies purchased through third parties.
Also, many other customers fall foul of hidden ‘cleaning’ costs, with one customer being charged more than €200 euros for leaving sand in the boot of one rental.
Others are told after handing back the car that they have inflicted damage that doesn’t exist, and deposits were withheld.
Nick Zapolski, Founder of ChooseMyCar.com said: “These unexpected charges can seriously impact holiday budgets. It’s crucial for consumers to factor in these potential costs when planning their trips”.
“Furthermore, it’s always wise to take pictures of the car when you pick it up, carefully noting any damage so that you have evidence that you didn’t cause it.”
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Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
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