Christmas is just around the corner; are you hiring a car to drive home for Christmas this year? Or maybe you’re heading off on holiday, or perhaps you’re taking your own car on the road. Whatever your plans look like this December, a bit of preparation before tackling what is often the busiest travel period of the year can make a big difference.
If you are hiring a car this festive season, make sure you take out a car hire excess insurance policy from ReduceMyExcess. The holidays put extra pressure on drivers as the roads are crowded, the weather can be more unpredictable (depending on where you are) and the car hire desks are often crowded and overwhelmed.
1. Plan Your Journey
The last thing you want during the Christmas holidays is to feel rushed or stressed. Planning your journey in advance should allow you to avoid roadworks and known delays as well as avoiding peak travel times. It will also allow you to factor things like tolls in as well as rest breaks and fuel stops.
Frantic Friday, the last Friday before Christmas, tends to be the busiest travel day. Consider setting off early or travelling on Saturday morning instead. If you’re collecting a hire car, make sure to book a pickup time that factors in traffic spikes so you can avoid them.
2. Inspect Your Hire Car
Before you drive off with the hire car, make sure to check the following:
- The exterior of the car for any scratches, dents or chips – if you come across any make sure they are recorded on the rental agreement
- The dashboard for any warning lights.
- The demister, fog lights and fuel type
3. Take Extra Care When Driving
Driving an unfamiliar car in winter can be daunting. Your brakes might be sharper, tyres might have a different grip and the steering or acceleration might not match what you’re used to. The handling of a heavier or lighter car might also change how it behaves on icy or wet roads. This is why it’s important to take extra car when driving a hire car – give yourself time to get comfortable with the controls before tackling busy or high-speed routes.
4. Be Careful the Morning After
Christmas gatherings and celebrations can often involve drinking and alcohol and the morning after is a risk lots of drivers underestimate. Even if you feel fine, you might still be over the limit particularly in countries with stricter blood alcohol levels.
If you’re still over the limit when driving a hire car, the consequences can be serious. When in doubt, wait it out or use alternative transport until you’re certain all the alcohol has cleared your system.
5. Loading Your Hire Car Without Causing Damage
Packing for Christmas often means extra luggage and plenty of gifts. Pack heavier items at the bottom and secure fragile items securely so they don’t shift about as you’re driving and so that your rear visibility is kept clear.
If you’re transporting a lot of presents or bulky items then you should consider the size of the hire car you choose. Packing efficiently will help avoid distractions, improves road visibility and reduces the risk of damaging the car’s interior which can lead to expensive excess charges.
6. Prepare for All Weather
Whether you’re driving into snow, rain, wind or a hot sunny destination, check in advance if there are any local weather-related requirements. These could include winter tyres, snow chains or guidance on driving in high temperatures. If conditions are severe, consider delaying travel entirely.
Final Thoughts
Hiring a car over the Christmas period provides you with flexibility as you’re not at the mercy of train timetables or flights that might face delays or cancellations. With the right preparation and protection of car hire excess insurance, you can enjoy a smoother, safer journey and focus on what really matters – celebrating Christmas and enjoying some time off.
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