When you’re tired, standing at the car hire desk waiting to pick the keys up after a long day travelling the last thing most people want is an unexpected sales pitch at the car hire desk – yet this is often what happens.
As you’re collecting your keys, you’ll be asked a series of questions about insurance, upgrades, fuel policies and extras. Some are routine, whilst other opportunities for the car hire company to sell additional products.
Knowing what these questions really mean can help you make informed decisions, avoid unnecessary costs and leave the rental desk feeling confident rather than confused.
1. “Would you like to add our insurance?”
This is probably the most common question you’ll hear.
In most cases, the car hire company isn’t asking whether you want basic insurance. This is usually already included in the base price of the car hire. Usually what they mean by this question is that they’re offering additional protection designed to reduce or remove the excess you’d be responsible for if the vehicle was damaged or stolen.
Before you agree, it’s worth understanding what exactly they are offering to you.
In Europe, many rental agreements include Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) and theft protection but the policies still come with a large excess. This means you’ll still be liabel for hundreds or even thousands of pounds if something happens to the vehicle. Please be aware that CDW works a bit differently in Canada and the USA – if you’re hiring in these countries you’ll want to consider a Worldwide policy and adding on CDW cover.
If you’ve already sorted your standalone car hire excess insurance policy with us, just say ‘No thanks, I already have my own excess insurance’.
If you’re unsure what exactly is their ‘insurance’ ask:
We often hear of hire companies telling customers that their cover with us isn’t valid but this isn’t the case. We work with you directly and not the rental company meaning that if you are charged an excess, you’ll pay it to them and then claim it back from us.
2. “Do you understand the excess?”
This question is essentially the rental company checking that you understand your potential liability.
In short, the excess is the amount you could be charged if the vehicle you’ve hired is damaged or stolen. It varies from company to company but this amount could run into hundreds or even thousands.
If you’ve read the rental agreement and understand the amount involved, confirming that you understand the excess is fine. If you’re not sure, ask them to explain how much it is, when it applies, and whether any parts of the vehicle are excluded.
3. “Would you like to upgrade your vehicle?”
There are times where an upgrade might genuinely be beneficial to you but there will be other times where it’s simply an upsell.
An upgrade could mean:
Before you say yes to the upgrade, consider whether a larger vehicle will be practical for where you’re travelling and if you’ll be comfortable driving a bigger car on unfamiliar roads.
You should also consider if the additional cost fits your budget and whether parking could become more difficult.
Occasionally, upgrades are offered free of charge because your original vehicle isn’t available. If there’s a fee involved, don’t feel pressured to decide immediately. Ask exactly how much extra you’ll be paying before agreeing.
4. “Will anyone else be driving?”
If another person plans to drive the vehicle, it’s important to mention this.
Car hire companies require all drivers to be listed on the car hire agreement and if an undeclared has an accident or gets into some trouble, it could affect the insurance and will create complications when making a claim.
Before adding an additional driver, check the additional driver fee and any age restrictions.
All ReduceMyExcess policies cover eight additional drivers listed on the agreement as standard.
5. “Would you like a child seat?”
If you’re travelling with young children, the car hire company may offer child seats or booster seats. This is convenient but can be cost more than you’re expecting.
We also recommend bringing your own car seat to save money. You can also be sure that your own car seat fits your child.
If you do decide to rent a car seat, check it’s:
6. “Would you like a GPS?”
Sat navs are another common upsell and whilst a dedicated GPS was once considered essential, many of us use navigation apps on our phones instead.
Before paying for a GPS unit, think about whether you’ll have any mobile data available or if you’ve downloaded the maps so they’re available offline. You also need to consider if your phone can connect to the vehicle’s infotainment system.
7. “Which fuel option would you like?”
Fuel policies vary by location and company. What they mean when they’re asking this question, is how you want to handle fuel during the hire.
A full-to-full policy is usually the simplest and most-effective option and means you’ll collect the vehicle with a full tank and return it full.
A pre-purchase fuel policy means you pay for a tank of fuel upfront and return the vehicle with whatever fuel remains. Although is convenient, it’s often more expensive because you’re unlikely to return the car completely empty.
If you are given the choice (as sometimes you’re not), lots of people prefer the full-to-full option.
8. “Can I see your credit card?”
This is a non-negotiable. The hire company is asking for your card so they can place a security deposit on it for the duration of the hire.
Remember that the card is required to be in the lead driver’s name normally and most companies will need it to be a credit card over a debit card. The deposit amount can vary significantly and before you leave the desk, it’s worth asking:
Tips for Handling the Hire Desk
The car hire desk experience is often much smoother when you arrive prepared.
Do Your Research
One of the easiest ways to make the rental desk experience less stressful is to do your research before you arrive.
Understanding how car hire insurance works, knowing what cover you already have and reviewing your rental agreement in advance can help you answer questions with confidence and avoid making rushed decisions at the counter.
If you’ve arranged standalone car hire excess insurance before your trip, make sure you have access to your policy documents so you know exactly what cover is in place before the questions start.
FAQs
We’d suggest you sort your own car hire excess insurance before you travel so you’ve got more coverage, for less.
All extras are optional unless clearly stated otherwise in the contract so yes, you can decline extras.
Stay calm, ask for clarification and remember you’re allowed to decline what they’re offering.
No it works alongside it. It reimburses you the excess you might be charged.
The car hire desk doesn’t have to be stressful. Most questions are routine and knowing what they mean puts you back in control. Arrive prepared, understand your cover, and don’t be afraid to say no.
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