Hidden taxes on renting a car

Over the last few years, the car rental service has become more and more popular due to the many benefits it offers. But, in order to have a pleasant experience in this field, you have to pay attention to certain aspects. In this article, we will present you the most common hidden taxes charged by car rental companies.

"False" rental prices

If you were interested in renting a car, you have definitely found irrefutable offers with 4-5 euros / day. Have you ever wondered how these prices are possible for some relatively new cars? We tell you!

Car rental companies that offer these prices rely on optional insurance, which replaces the warranty. Therefore, the company raises the price of express guarantees hard (for example 1000 euros for a Dacia Logan), so it forces you to opt for an optional insurance. This insurance has a certain cost per day, which is added to the rental price. This way, you will pay a cost 4-5 times higher than you intended. More precisely, if the rental cost was 5 euro / day, and the insurance is 35 euro / day, you will finally pay 40 euro / day.

Airport tax

If you leave or return from vacation and have opted to pick you up from the airport, it may cost you. The airport tax is one of the most used hidden taxes, which you find out only after the service has been provided, and you are obliged to pay it. You can also pick it up at the airport under the name of additional transport costs, and its cost differs from one company to another, starting from 10 euros and can reach up to 30 euros.

In general, car rental companies that respect their customers offer this service for free. But, to make sure you have chosen the right company, ask about this fee before signing the contract.

Pick-up / return fee

Although everyone expects a car rental company to operate non-stop, this does not happen every time. Some companies have found another way to get money from customers through a pick-up or return fee outside of business hours. What is the schedule of a car rental company? You will find out only after the service has been provided, and you have to pay at least 10 euros for it.

Fee for exceeding the kilometer limit

Have you thought about what it would be like to rent an apartment and be allowed to live in it for 12 hours out of 24? Absurd right? Well, in the field of car rentals there is a limit of kilometers that you can cover per day. After you have exceeded the limit, you are only allowed to sit in the car and look at it. Otherwise, you will pay a fee for exceeding the mileage limit which is often higher than you can imagine. Therefore, we advise you to ask for the mileage limit before signing the contract, and if it exists to look for another more serious company.

Fuel tax

Generally, when renting a car, you will receive a full tank, either if you have to pay for it when you pick up the car, or if you have to bring it as you received it. Paying for refueling is quite disadvantageous because the cost of fuel will be higher than at gas stations. But if you need to return the full tank, make sure there is a gas station nearby. If you do not hand over the car with a full tank, you will have to pay a fuel tax which is usually the value of a full tank.

Fee to receive the desired car

A hidden fee that has recently appeared in car rental contracts is the fee to receive the desired car. Even the name sounds weird and illogical, doesn't it? Unreal, but it is really used by frivolous car rental companies. This fee is used for new cars and is seen as a guarantee that you will receive the new car you want and not one of the previous years.

These are the most common hidden fees used by car rental companies. We recommend that you take them into account before signing a rental agreement because they are a proof of frivolity and can double the initial amount.

How much do you end up paying for a car in addition to the set cost per day?

So, if we take into account the 40 euro / day, we add another 20 euro (Airport tax) + 10 (Pick-up / return tax outside business hours) + 100/150 euro (Tax for exceeding the kilometer limit) + 100 / 150 euros (Fuel tax) + 20 euros (Tax to receive the desired car), you get a cost of 40 euros / day + 250 euros hidden taxes (at best). All these amounts, starting from a super offer of 5 euro / day.