You ask, we answer! The editorial team at Euro am Sonntag answers readers’ questions on legal, financial and insurance topics. By Martin Reim, Euro am Sonntag
In view of the rail strikes, we are considering going on vacation with a rental car during the autumn break. What should we pay attention to?
Euro on Sunday: A rental car is not only an alternative to rail – you are also more flexible when you are on holiday, for example when arriving by plane. What are recommended offers? The consumer portal finanztip.de recently examined 25 comparison sites. By far the best cut check24.de away. According to the research, the site most often delivered the cheapest price in the sample. Good as well became billiger-mietwagen.de rated. Both comparison sites offer a German-speaking telephone service, flexible cancellation options (up to 24 hours before the start of the rental) and many filter options.
The general rule is: it pays to book early. Anyone who reserves a rental vehicle for a Baltic Sea vacation in mid-October is easily 60 to 70 euros cheaper than looking for next week. In other EU countries, the savings are often even greater. It also makes sense to vary the pick-up and drop-off dates when planning. That can save a lot of money. Also pick up location and Rental period are adjusting screws that can be turned in order not to have to pay more than necessary.
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Industry in corona turbulence
Flexible planning is particularly worthwhile at the moment, because Corona has caused considerable turbulence in the market. First the prices rushed down, then they rose to dizzying heights. Those who book now have to pay around 300 euros and more to explore the Baltic Sea coast or the area around Munich for a week in autumn. The prices for Florence or Naples are currently a little lower. A small car for Mallorca is currently still available for less than 200 euros.
Important: You shouldn’t skimp on insurance coverage. Fully comprehensive insurance with no excess is best. The amount of coverage for liability insurance should be ten million euros or more, if possible. This is especially true abroad. Caution: Glass and tire damage as well as roof and underbody damage are normally not covered by fully comprehensive insurance and cost extra. But they can be useful, especially if you are traveling in countries with poorly developed roads.
It is also advisable to take a little time when collecting and returning the car. When picking up, all previous damage should be documented in a log and, for safety, scratches, fuel gauge and mileage should be documented. The same should be done on return. Otherwise it can get expensive. “For damage that could actually be repaired inexpensively, the complete replacement of a vehicle part, for example a bumper, is then billed,” said Thomas Laske, lawyer at the Hamburg consumer center, the news portal “spiegel.de”.
There are various fuel regulations for rental cars, experts advise “full / full”: The car is picked up and returned with a full tank. Advantage: Only the fuel costs for the kilometers actually traveled are paid. Landlords who have to refuel themselves often charge large flat rates. This sometimes happens even though the car was returned with a full tank of fuel. Tip: keep the fuel receipts. Also, take a photo of the fuel gauge when you drop off the car.
What else needs to be considered
• Be sure to pay parking tickets! Otherwise, the landlord will charge the credit card with the fine plus its own processing fee.
• Book accessories such as child seats or roof racks in advance! This is often costly on site.
• Return your rental car on time! On the one hand, because a rental day consists of 24 hours. If the car comes back just a few minutes later, an additional whole day is usually charged. In addition, extended insurance cover ends on the agreed date. In the event of an accident afterwards, only the standard insurance applies. The reduced deductible from fully comprehensive insurance no longer applies either. So it can get expensive.
• Always register a second driver! Insurance cover expires in the case of unregistered drivers behind the wheel.
