Before hiring a car

Compare prices before you hire a car

It is often less expensive to hire a car online than on-site at the car hire operator. You can choose to hire directly from a car hire company or through a broker. The advantage of choosing the former is that you only agree with one party. If you hire through a broker, you get two agreements, one with the broker you book and pay with and one that you sign with the car hire operator when you collect the car. Even if it is most often problem free to hire from a broker, it may be more complicated when you have two contractual parties to relate to if something were to go wrong.

If you intend to hire a car abroad, the principle is the same as in Sweden – it is important to read the rental agreement carefully and know what you are signing. No consumer protection rules apply.

Inspect the car before you drive away 

Ask to inspect the hire car before you sign the agreement, preferably together with an employee from the car hire company. Ensure that the damages are noted in a record that you receive a copy of. Document any damage, such as scratches or scrapes in the paint by photographing or filming.

Free mileage or limited mileage?

Check if you can only drive a limited distance with the car or if you can drive as far as you want. If you are not going to travel so far, it may be less expensive to choose a contract with limited mileage.

What happen if the car breaks down?

If the car is damaged, the car hire company’s insurance applies and thereby its excess. If you cause the damage, you may be obliged to compensate the car hire company for the costs. If you can show that you were careful with the car, the car hire firm cannot demand compensation from you, however. Whether or not you have been careful is judged case by case.

Check what you should do if you have an accident or if the car breaks down. Normally, you should immediately contact the car hire operator and find out what should be done. It is also often required that the police are called even if it only involves bodywork damage. Be sure to get a copy of the police report and the damage report.

Insurance that reduces the excess

When you hire a car within Europe, three basic kinds of protection are usually included: damage protection, theft protection and third-party protection (if you injure somebody or damage something with your hire car). What can vary is the excess you must pay. An excess reduction is a protection that reduces the amount you have to pay if you damage the car, and it is often included when you hire a car in Sweden. An excess elimination means that you avoid the excess, but it is an expensive supplement, especially if you hire the car for a longer period of time since you often pay a daily fee.

A supplemental insurance up to a certain amount if the vehicle is damaged or stolen is often included with several credit cards. Check therefore what protection you have – so that you do not pay double.

Pay a deposit

Regardless of insurance, the car hire operator will reserve an amount on your payment or credit card. The amount varies depending on the rules of the car hire company. Preferably check that the amount that is reserved on your card matches what is in the agreement.

Number of drivers and age limits

In most cases, only one primary driver is covered by the insurance so do not forget to add extra drivers if there are several of you who intend to share the driving.

The age limits for hiring a car differ somewhat between different companies. In Sweden, one can usually hire a car from age 18, but with an extra fee if the driver is under 25. At some rental companies, it is not permitted to hire a car over the age of 69.

Driving in other countries

If you are planning to use the hire car in several countries, you have to ask if it is permitted to take the car across the border. Make sure this is agreed in writing.

Road tolls and zones that you may not drive in exist in other countries. Make sure to have a grasp of the road rules in the particular country in which you will hire a car.