Agents are being urged to warn their customers about the hidden cost of winter tyres and snow chains when driving to the slopes this winter.
Research by car hire insurance firm iCarhireinsurance.com found a vast difference in ‘winterisation’ charges depending on the destination.
Its study also highlighted the difference in prices charged by car rental companies for the same destination.
"Agents need to warn their clients that car rental companies’ websites often don’t alert travellers to this charge, or the actual cost, in advance when they are making their booking, so it is often sprung on them at the rental desk," said a spokeswoman.
"Not only that, in many parts of Europe, driving without snow chains is illegal in wintry conditions, so travellers are over a barrel really."
A survey of six key winter destinations – Geneva, Grenoble, Innsbruck, Barcelona, Turin and Sophia in Bulgaria – found the average fee for winterisation was £29.
Based on the cost of a week’s car hire from December 27 2015 to 3 January 2016, charges climbed to £114 in Geneva with Avis while the lowest charge was £15 in Sofia, hiring from Sixt.
"It is the driver’s responsibility, not the rental company, to ensure that the hire car is equipped for the wintry conditions they are driving in, which can be a challenge when the rules on winter tyres and snow chains differ from country to country," said the spokeswoman.
In Turin the charge is obligatory, while in Austria driving without winter tyres between the start of November and mid-April can lead to a fine of around €5,000 (£3,508), as well as the risk of the car being impounded.
In Germany, winter tyres are mandatory in wintry conditions, while they are only ‘recommended’ in Switzerland, Bulgaria, Italy and Andorra.
However, vehicles which are not equipped to travel through snow, and which impede traffic, may still be fined.
In France, winter tyres are not mandatory but in snowy conditions special signs can indicate that they should be used.
"Many travellers do not realise the onus is on the driver, not the hire company, to know the rules and regulations of the country they’re hiring in," said Ernesto Suarez, CEO and founder of iCarhireinsurance.com.
"Police roadblocks near to ski resorts are common in the Alps, for instance, and police will refuse entry to a car without chains if it’s a designated ‘snow chain’ area. The driver may also have to pay a fine."
Average winterisation charges, by destination
Geneva £54.65
Barcelona £49.62
Turin £28.27
Grenoble £26.28
Innsbruck £22.02
Sofia £21.86
Average winterisation charges, by car rental company
Avis £48.62
Hertz £30.05
Sixt £27.19
Budget £21.38
Europcar £0 (no charges in these destinations)
