Do not take a ride with hidden fees or charges, such as insurance. Car rental companies are fond of fees including hidden fees however, they aren't able to advertise prices that are only a portion of the cost of hire in the absence of displaying the entire cost at least as prominently.

Also, if you find two rates advertised for a hire car then you should assume that the higher price is the real one. And if you don't see any other price listed, and they do impose some additional mandatory cost on you, then it is important to mention that they're not in compliance with the ACL.

This does not include any additional charges like parking fees, toll fees, or optional extras you may want to pay for like the GPS system or, as rental car rental companies love, the extra reduction.

The Hidden catches

A few of the traps that are frequently found in the fine print of the contract are:

Single-vehicle accident fees

There will be a charge if you are in an accident that involves only one vehicle. Some rental agreements may be expansive in their definition of 'Single Vehicle Accident'. You will get more details on vehicle by browsing http://alphacarhire.com.au/ website.

Glass and treys

You may be exempt from the standard responsibility for damage to wheels and treys, windscreen, or other windows.

Injuries to the underbody and head

You may find yourself fully accountable for damages to the vehicle's underbody or the top of the vehicle.

Pet Animals

You may be charged an additional cost for accidents involving animals. For instance that the Hertz contract doesn't be able to cover an animal you hit or an accident that occurs while you are not causing harm to an animal at night in a location they consider rural.

Bad weather

Additional expenses could be incurred due to the damage caused by flooding or storm, hurricane, cyclone, or other natural catastrophes.

Damage reduction in excess or collision waiver

This additional cost, which is also known as loss damage waiver or any of the numerous acronyms utilized in rental car contracts will dramatically increase the cost of your vehicle.

This is not insurance it is a charge to the company that rents the car to relieve you of liability for damage. It must be conform to the terms and conditions of the rental agreement.

Double insurance trick

Excess reduction insurance, or domestic travel insurance, could be less expensive than the excess reductions from the car rental company. An insurance company outside of the rental business will issue a contract. If your car is damaged or lost and you are unable to make the payment to the rental firm and receive compensation from the insurance company.

You will need to have the standard insurance offered by the rental company. But, it's advisable that you check with your insurance provider as this could be a grey area.

Tips for renting a car

Before hiring:

Review the contract's terms and conditions before you choose a rental firm.

Before you take possession of the vehicle, check the vehicle with a sales assistant. Make sure all per-existing damage regardless of how small the damage, is documented.

Photograph the car at the beginning and end of the hire. Try to time stamp the pictures and, if possible make sure to include the sales associate included in the photographs as well.

Get information on what to do in the event of an accident or breakdown.

Find out if the car must be returned with full tank. If yes then what is the liter cost.

During the hiring:

After leaving the car rental depot The first thing to check is if the engine is functioning. If not then you'll need to find a nearby petrol station. This will permit you to top up your tank for the return journey, without incurring ridiculous fuel prices.

Be sure to follow the procedures of the company in case the vehicle has been damaged while renting or involved in an accident. Do not repair it without prior approval.

After the hire:

In our 2016 study of Avis and Hertz, we found fuel mark-ups approaching 300%. Make sure to fill the tank as close to the drop-off point as you can, and save your receipt to avoid a refueling fee.

When filling up your car ensure that you wash it down prior to returning it. This will ensure that there is no potential damage.

To avoid paying for the wrongs of someone else Try to return your vehicle within the opening hours.

When you return, let an official from the company inspect the vehicle.