So many people are intimidated by hiring a car abroad… but honestly, even if it’s just for a day or two, it can completely transform your holiday.

Tiny beach bars, mountain villages, random viewpoints you’d never otherwise find… there’s a real freedom that comes with having your own car.

I’ll always help find the best option for your trip, but here are my top tips before you drive off into the sunset!

Insurance – the bit nobody understands!

Every rental comes with basic insurance included, but there’s usually an excess attached to it.

That means if the car is damaged, stolen or involved in an accident, you could still be liable for a chunk of money.

Personally? I wouldn’t drive uninsured at home, so I’m definitely not doing it abroad.

You generally have two choices:

1. Full cover directly with the car hire company

This is the easiest option.

You pay extra upfront and usually reduce the excess down to zero or very close to it. That means less hassle and normally no large credit card hold.

The downside? It can be expensive. Sometimes up to €/£30 PER DAY and occasionally more than the actual car hire itself.

2. Excess Refund Policy (ERP)

This is usually much cheaper and can often be bought through your travel insurance provider or specialist insurers.

With an ERP:
• the rental company still holds the excess on your card
• if there’s damage, you pay the rental company first
• then claim the money back from your ERP provider afterwards

An ERP is often around €/£60 for the full rental period, so for longer rentals it can work out much better value.

For me personally:
• short rental = I usually take the rental company insurance
• longer rental = I normally use an ERP

If you hire cars regularly, an annual ERP policy is absolutely worth looking into.

One important thing to know… some rental desks can be VERY pushy when selling insurance. If you already understand what cover you have before you arrive, you’re far less likely to panic-buy expensive extras at the desk.

Airport or Resort Collection?

There are pros and cons to both.

Airport rentals are often cheaper because there’s more competition, but there are a few things to think about:

• Have you just stepped off a long or overnight flight and are about to drive in a foreign country?
• Does your flight land outside office hours? Not all rental desks are 24-hour.
• Will all your luggage actually fit in the car you’ve booked?
• If you need a 7-seater, book EARLY. They’re limited and always in demand.

A little tip from experience… two smaller cars can sometimes work out cheaper than one large 7-seater.

Also check whether your rental desk is actually inside the airport or at an off-site “car hire village”.

Many airports use shuttle buses, and after a long flight the last thing you want is wandering around trying to figure out where to go.

Before You Leave the Car Park…

Once you’ve survived the paperwork and insurance chat 😅, here are a few important things to check before driving away:

Ask the agent:

• What fuel does the car take? Petrol or diesel?
• What’s the fuel policy? (Most are Full-to-Full)
• Where’s the nearest fuel station for drop-off day?
• What’s the exact return procedure and location?

MOST IMPORTANT PART – Record Everything

I cannot stress this enough.

1. Video the entire car

Inside and outside.

Do it slowly and clearly.

Include:
• wheels
• bumpers
• windscreen
• roof if possible
• mileage
• fuel gauge

2. Take photos of any damage

I’ve had rental companies try to blame existing damage on me before.

Timestamped photos saved me.

3. Compare the paperwork

The rental agreement usually has a damage diagram marked on it.

If ANYTHING is missing from that diagram, go straight back to the desk and get it officially added before leaving.

Returning the Car

A few simple things can save you money and stress:

• Remove ALL rubbish
• Check door pockets for chargers, passports and sunglasses
• Take a photo of the fuel receipt
• Take a photo of the fuel gauge showing full

I actually leave the fuel receipt inside the car now and since doing that I’ve never had another fuel dispute!

Also bear in mind fuel stations closest to airports are usually more expensive, so I normally fill up nearby first and just top up near the airport.

Car Seats for Children

This is completely personal preference, but remember safety regulations vary between countries.

You also don’t know the history of rental car seats.

If you’re doing a lot of driving, I usually suggest bringing your own seat for peace of mind if possible.

My Final Little Tips

• Pack a charging cable in your hand luggage
• Most newer cars now have Apple CarPlay/Android Auto
• Download offline Google Maps BEFORE you travel
• If staying in a villa, ask for a pin-drop location

And trust me on that last one…

You do not want to be me driving around rural Corfu at 11pm trying to find a villa with nothing but a vague street name and rapidly disappearing patience