Car rental

Because a hire car is close to essential in the Costa Blanca region, a great many rental companies have set up at the airports of Valencia and Alicante. Outside the summer months you can often rent very cheaply here, but beware: make sure you arrive at the desk well informed and know what you do and do not want!

How the business model works

The business model is often this: attract people with a low rental price, and then try to sell them all kinds of (far too) expensive extras. You booked insurance neatly in advance, of course — or so you thought. But you would not be the first to be taken aback when a standard ‘all-risk’ policy turns out to carry an excess of 1,400 euros, which is blocked on your credit card at pick-up. And that is where the risk lies. If your credit card does not allow for that (because you paid for your flights with it, for instance), you will still have to buy the extended Super Collision Damage Waiver insurance, at 16–23 euros a day. Insurance, a second driver, child seats and a ‘full-empty’ fuel policy are therefore an important source of income.

There is nothing wrong with such a business model in itself; there is a reason they are so cheap. Except that some rental firms are very unclear about it, and/or try a little too hard to talk you into that insurance.

Start with a comparison site

A good first step is a visit to a comparison site, such as doyouspain or AutoEurope or RentalCars. There you can, for example, show the cost including the options you want; on doyouspain you can tick a box to see the price including a second driver. You can also filter out certain notorious rental companies in advance (did I say Goldcar? Or its subsidiaries Interrent and Rhodium?). You can also see clearly what excess applies, and what it costs to buy it off.

Insuring the excess separately

You can also choose not to buy off the excess with the rental company, but through your own separate policy. In the event of damage you then have to pay the rental company first, but you can claim it back through your own insurer. Doyouspain offers that option for something like 6.50 euros a day, for instance. This is also possible directly with insurers such as Allianz, Asured and Europeesche. If you hire a car for more than 10 days (or several times a year) an annual policy can work out favourably (with Asured, for example, or here, here or here). A few real-world experiences and these pages from the Dutch consumers’ association gave me a great deal of insight into this sometimes murky business.

Our experiences with a few rental firms

Centauro

One of the better rental firms, in my subjective experience. Sometimes has cheap options outside high season. You may pay a little more, but you get a smile in return and you do not get stitched up. Through their own website you usually rent all-inclusive, so a second driver is already accounted for, whereas on the comparison sites that often still costs extra.

Sunny Cars

More expensive, but always all-inclusive. So no hassle on the spot or afterwards.

Giner Rent a Car

A local firm, a likeable family business. Here too: often more expensive in low season, but without the hassle. Always with a low excess (250 euros) and a second driver included.

Problems with a rental firm anyway?

European Consumer Centre

Should you run into trouble anyway — an insurer claiming for damage that is not yours, say? Then warn your credit card company in any case. The European Consumer Centre sets out what else you can do, and gives tips for beforehand as well.