11911 Car hire - honesty the best policy?

Ouch! That's nasty......we had a similar issue with a flat tyre. We were advised that it was not included in our rental charge & we were in effect responsible for its repair. Unfortunately, whilst it *was* on our list to sort out before flying out, but we never quite got around to it. This thread has only just reminded me ;)

[quote=yorkshirelass;113579]Recently we hired a car from Pisa airport from a 'low cost' car hire firm. We'd had the car for a week and on the day we were due to return it we noticed an occasional noise at low speeds coming from what seemed like one of the front brake discs.
On returning the car, my husband decided to mention this out of concern for the next hirer. Immediately a man at the rear of the hire cabin took the keys and went to examine the car. After a few minutes he returned and began implying/accusing us of having 'ridden' a kerb. He directed us to the front offside wheel which had a tiny dent in the rim. This may or may not have been there when we picked up the car (it was impossible to examine properly as the car compound was poorly lit). We explained that it was not a problem with the wheel but a noise from the brake disc area but they were convinced we had done something.
They refused to close the contract.
A week after our return to the UK we noticed on our credit card bill a debit for 250 euros. We had not received any pre-advice or phone call and we do not know what work was done. We are currently in discussion with them but it has convinced us that in future, short of wheels or doors falling off, if we notice any unusual noises on the car we'll keep quiet. It seems that (with this hirer at least) you're assumed guilty even if it's a mechanical fault. Honesty costs![/quote]
CIao e tutti,

I always go for this:
[url=http://www.insurance4carhire.com/]Car Hire Excess Insurance | Car Rental Excess Insurance[/url]
You don't have to take out their crappy excess waivers & stuff & you are covered for everything, windscreen, tyres, things you hadn't noticed, unattended drop-off points etc.

They are actually quite a friendly company, answer emails etc.

Salve

On our recent visit we pick up the hire car checked around as usual, piled in the luggage etc; when we came to upload we noticed that a coat, bag ,hat all stained and sticky ) , we then realised these had been on the rear footwell, we then found the carpet soaked with a sticky fluid, we guess that previous person had spilt a soft drink big time, but did not show up on the dark carpet, we dried this out fully before returning the car, but did not mention it, But just thought that others may want to watch out for this. (fortunately we managed to wash our damaged items quickly, other may not be so lucky

Lin

[quote=chrisnotton;113588]CIao e tutti,

I always go for this:
[url=http://www.insurance4carhire.com/]Car Hire Excess Insurance | Car Rental Excess Insurance[/url]
You don't have to take out their crappy excess waivers & stuff & you are covered for everything, windscreen, tyres, things you hadn't noticed, unattended drop-off points etc.

They are actually quite a friendly company, answer emails etc.

Salve[/quote]
The only thing with this is that you need to keep an eye on your credit card bills for the next few months as twice I was charged for danage or whatever to cars (when there was none) and I'm convinced that it was due to not having taken out their insurance. As you have to leave your credit card details with them when you hire it seems companies have carte blanche to charge you whatever they feel like without telling you

Hi Yorkshirelass
we regularly hire cars at Pisa, so far we've not had any problems but I have not confessed to driving the rear end into the planters around our favourite cafe! There wasn't any damage to speak off but it sure scared me. Are you able to say what hire care company you used on that occasion? It would be useful to know to make sure we take care if we use them.

Hi Chiarablu
Not allowed to bad name on this forum but there is a hint in my thread when I say 'low cost'.

When I hire a car I take a photos with my phone when I get the keys and again when I return it - of suspect dents etc and always of the dashboard showing time, date, full petrol tank on return etc - From experience it works when I was accused of not returning the car with a full tank, I could prove it easily and they refunded the 25 quid filling charge without a murmur.

Hadn't thought of that, thats a great idea, thanks Ram and Yorkshirelass