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How-to Guides » OLD GUIDE Have a cheap holiday

Find out how to cut the cost of your flights, get discounts, tip correctly, spend wisely, get cashback and most importantly, cut the cost of your holiday.

Save money on car hire

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1) Shop around

Hiring a car on holiday can be very expensive so make sure you do your research. Brokers and comparison sites such as Holiday Autos, ebookers and Expedia can help you find and book the cheapest deal.

2) Check insurance and excesses

It can be a good idea to take out excess reimbursement insurance before you travel. This is because you can side-step the excess-waiver you'll be offered by your car hire company, which can cost as much as £10 a day.

Taking out your own insurance will work out much cheaper and will cover your excess if you damage the hire car. Carhireexcess.com offers comprehensive cover from as little as £1.99 per day in Europe, while insurance4carhire.com offers an annual European policy for £49.

3) Check the car for damage

When collecting your car, check there's no damage that hasn't already been noted. If there's even a tiny scratch, let the company know.

On returning the car, wait while staff inspect it, then ask for a copy of the final report. If there's nobody there to inspect it or they don't have time, note this on the rental agreement.

Find out more in Five ways to cut the cost of car hire.

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  • tomP
    Love rating 2
    tomP said

    I used a new car hire insurance search engine http://www.moneymaxim.co.uk to book my car hire excess insurance recently - I read about it on the Guardian website. Saved me some cash.... now where can I get Sterling changed in Euros at the rate it was circa 2004/5?

    Report on 13 May 2010  |  Love thisLove  0 love

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