Renting a car can be a great way to travel comfortably and worry-free.
However, many people are concerned about the hidden fees that may appear when returning the car. The good news is that most of them can be easily avoided. We have prepared for you a practical overview of the ten most common situations in which people unnecessarily pay extra. And most importantly, how to avoid them.
1. Check the condition of the car when you pick it up
Always inspect the car from all sides at the beginning. If you find any scratches, scuffs or damage to the interior, have them recorded in the handover report immediately.
Tip: Take photos of the car from the outside and inside – it takes 30 seconds and saves you a lot of hassle.
2. Refuel according to the conditions – preferably “full-full”
The most common mistakes occur when returning a car with a lower fuel level.
If you pick up a car with a full tank, return it with a full tank as well. Refueling at a car rental company tends to be more expensive.
3. Avoid mileage charges
If the car rental company offers a mileage limit (for example, 150 km/day), monitor the speedometer.
We make it easy for our clients – each stop can be arranged in advance or extended for a small additional fee.
4. Don’t return the car later – even an extra hour can be charged as a full day
Many clients have no idea that if you exceed the 24-hour limit, you are charged a new day of rental.
Tip: set a notification on your phone according to the pick-up time.
5. Watch out for interior damage
The most common unnecessary costs arise when transporting building materials, animals or heavy objects.
If you need to transport things that can dirty or damage the interior, use protective foils, blankets or rent a car designed for transporting cargo.
6. Don’t buy unnecessary insurance if you already have it
Some credit cards include travel insurance or car insurance from the car rental company.
Check your conditions – you may already have coverage and not even know it.
7. Always return the car clean according to the agreed conditions
Most car rental companies require the car to be returned in a normally clean condition.
If the car is extremely dirty (for example, from mud or after transporting materials), a fee for extra cleaning may be charged.
Tip: a quick rinse in a car wash is enough if the car was exceptionally dirty.
8. Watch out for fines and tolls
Fines are not charged as direct fees by the car rental company, but they may appear several weeks after the car is returned. It is common practice for car rental companies to charge administrative fees for processing these violations. These fees can be in the tens to hundreds of euros abroad, for example in Italy or Austria, while in our country they are around 500 CZK for one violation.
9. Watch out for section meters and tunnels abroad
In many countries, electronic tolls or fees for entering the city center apply. Ignoring these rules can lead to fines and subsequent administrative fees from the car rental company, similar to other violations.
10. Communicate – you can always make arrangements
If you know you won’t be able to return the car in time, have an unexpected problem or have accidentally filled up with the wrong fuel, call as soon as possible.
A good car rental company will advise you and often prevent major costs.
Conclusion: Hidden fees are not a threat if you know what to look out for
Renting a car can be completely hassle-free… you just need to know a few rules and choose fair car rental companies that communicate clearly and transparently.
In our car rental company, we make sure that clients know exactly what they are signing, and we offer clear conditions without surprises.
Thanks to this, we have hundreds of satisfied customers all over Prague.
Do you want to rent a car quickly, without unnecessary fees and with the option of delivery to your address?
Book your car online at AUTOzpujcovny.cz or call us… we will be happy to help you with your selection.