Car hire in Germany

What are the benefits of hiring a car in Germany?

If you’re heading to Germany without your own car, then hiring one could be a great option and it’s worth doing what you can to avoid paying over the odds. Choosing a reputable car hire firm can be a good start, but that’s not to say you should just pick a global name and expect to get the best deal. Here are a few tips to keep in mind:

1. Book in advance

If you want to get a better deal on car hire - and who doesn’t like a better deal? - it’s worth seeing what’s on offer in advance. The Internet makes it incredibly easy to find out which companies serve the area you’re heading to, so why not do a little price comparison? Booking in advance could save you money, and, of course, it's one less thing to worry about when you arrive. Take a look at Europcar for further details.

2. Take extras with you

A good way to cut down on the cost of car hire is to take any extras you need with you. So, if you think you’ll benefit from use of a sat nav, or if you need a child seat, packing your own will mean you'll save money on arrival. It’s always best to know exactly what you’re paying for. Things to look out for include, but aren’t limited to, full-to-empty fuel tank policies and mileage limits.

4. Make a note of any damage

Before you pull away, you’ll likely find the car you’ve been given is checked over, with any existing damage noted down. However, if they miss something (accidentally or otherwise), you could later find yourself being asked to pay for scrapes, scratches, or bumps that you didn’t cause. So, take the extra few minutes to check yourself - if you really want to make sure, take photos.

5. Consider Car Hire Excess Insurance 

If you will be hiring a car when you go to Germany, consider taking out Car Hire Excess Insurance through Insurance4carhire at Swinton. Having cover in place means you can claim back excess charges if the car gets damaged, or you’re involved in an accident, and you need to make an insurance claim on your rental vehicle.

While you'd initially have to pay towards the claim, the excess insurance means that you'd be reimbursed up to your maximum cover amount, which you'd not get back otherwise.

Correct at the time of publication. Information in this article has been gathered from various sources, therefore Swinton Insurance cannot be held responsible for any view or opinion expressed herein.

Insurance through Swinton and Safeguard

• Car Hire Excess Insurance - Get reimbursed for costly excess charges on insurance for rental cars
• Car Insurance - A flexible range of policies for a wide range of cars and drivers
• Breakdown Cover - Flexible cover to help get you back on the road
• Touring Caravan Insurance - European cover included as standard
• Motorhome Insurance - European cover included as standard

Driving abroad

Be sure to check out our other driving abroad guides:

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