This has led to a frustrating holiday situation for many, and 20% of customers complained to their rental company about the issue.
For drivers aged between 18 and 34 years old, this grew to over 50%, according to a survey assigned by iCarhireinsurance.com.
It’s caused a lack of trust among hire car drivers too, with only 15% of the 1,000 respondents saying they trusted rental companies to accurately note existing damage on the vehicle.
Almost half (44%) of drivers returned their vehicle without it being checked and a similar number (42%) said they had no member of staff available to carry out a check.
Further, a third (30%) of drivers said they were told not to bother recording what’s considered minor damage by rental companies.
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To combat any disputes, it is advisable to have evidence of the car’s condition when you first see your rented vehicle. Almost half of drivers collect this regardless of any damage at the point of picking the car up, while a fifth (21%) video the state of the motor.
Not only are motorists finding a nasty surprise on collecting their rented motor, but 75% of drivers are frustrated with hidden costs involved with the transaction.
The average cost of hiring a rental car stands at £225, but after additional costs, that figure rises to over £600, the same excess insurance firm found last month.
‘Always check the hire vehicle thoroughly’
As most classrooms pack up for the summer and move on to their holidays next week, Ben Wooltorton of iCarhireinsurance.com says families should “always check the hire vehicle thoroughly at pick-up and ensure all damage is documented”.
Wooltorton said: “Consumers can get charged even for minor damage like scratches or wheel scuffs, so make sure you can prove that they were there from the start.
“To enjoy your holiday without worrying about additional costs, consider a stand-alone excess insurance policy from an independent provider like iCarhireinsurance.com. These policies can offer much better value than those from rental companies.”
