Renting a car offers convenient mobility on business trips or on vacation. But there are pitfalls that can cause unpleasant surprises. Here’s how to avoid unnecessary additional costs.
Cheap is not always better. Hanspeter Brenner (name changed) also had to experience this. The family father from Zurich rented an older Opel station wagon for a holiday in Northern Europe via an online travel portal. Looking back, he says: “I simply chose the cheapest offer on a travel portal without thinking too much about it.”
Only hours after the hasty collection of the vehicle at the airport in Riga (Latvia) did he notice a serious defect during the journey: the horn was not working. Brenner: “At least the car rental company apologized for this defect when he returned the car.” Fortunately, he was not stopped by the police and there was no emergency during the vacation in which he would have had to honk.
“At least the car rental company didn’t want to burden me with the cost of the repairs,” Brenner adds. When he checked later, he found that other renters had reported similar experiences on the public Google profile of the local “cheap” rental company.
Check vehicle functionality
What would have happened in terms of insurance if the missing horn had become a problem? Marco Wölfli, spokesman for the Touring Club Switzerland (TCS), explains: “It is the responsibility of the renter to check that the vehicle is working properly. If they notice a problem after taking it over, they must report it to the rental company immediately. Failure to do so can be considered negligent and affect liability in the event of an accident.”
However, the assessment depends on the country in question and the laws there. The rental companies are also obliged to hand over the vehicles in perfect condition. “If the problem already existed beforehand, the rental company can be held liable, especially if the renter can prove that he was not informed about the defect,” says Wölfli.
Have damage confirmed by the landlord before taking over
Brenner’s experience makes it clear: When you pick up a rental car, it’s always worth checking it thoroughly. The vehicle should be inspected for external damage such as scratches, dents, stone chips and tire damage. You should also look out for damaged windows or mirrors.
It is also important to check the interior of the vehicle for cleanliness, stains, and damage to the seats and dashboard. The functionality of the air conditioning, radio, lights, indicators, brakes, windshield wipers, seat belts, horn and accessories such as navigation devices, child seats or snow chains should also be checked.
Important: Any damage or defects found, such as a half-empty tank or a missing first aid kit, must be reported to the rental company before the vehicle is picked up and noted in the rental agreement or handover protocol. It may also be useful to take photos of all visible damage to protect yourself from later liability claims. The rental company should confirm all defects found in writing.
Financial risks when returning a vehicle
Joëlle Jeitler, spokeswoman for AXA Insurance in Winterthur, also warns of pitfalls when returning the vehicle: “Caution is advised when returning the car outside of opening hours or by dropping the keys in. In such cases, the burden of proof is often contractually placed on the renter. It is therefore advisable to take photos of the vehicle when returning it.” Tip: Get written confirmation that the vehicle has been returned safely and in good order.
Check offers in detail and make an informed choice
A common mistake that Hanspeter Brenner also made when booking online in a hurry is to choose the first cheapest car rental company he finds without carefully checking their rental conditions, insurance benefits, terms and conditions and online reviews.
Those who use reputable online comparison portals, read independent Google reviews and rely on established and well-known rental companies – ideally with a branch or place of jurisdiction in Switzerland – can also drive abroad with less worries. For example, rental cars can be booked from proven providers in fifty countries via the TCS rental car platform.
According to a test by the German Stiftung Warentest in May 2024, other recommended comparison portals for rental cars are Billiger-mietwagen.de, Check-24 or Sunny Cars. According to the consumer protection foundation, their advantage: They prepare the prices and rental conditions of foreign rental companies in such a way that the conditions can be easily compared and filtered according to the customers’ wishes.
Horrendous price differences, especially in the luxury class
Simple online price comparisons quickly pay off when it comes to rental cars. The price differences are considerable depending on the vehicle class. A comparison on Ferienmietwagen.ch shows that anyone who rents an SUV at Zurich Airport for the week from August 17th to 24th will pay 502 francs in the cheapest case or 759 francs or more in the most expensive case.
The differences in rental prices are particularly large for luxury vehicles. Before booking, you should also pay attention to any additional costs “hidden” in the small print and the services included. One trick is that the flat rate only includes the basic insurance, which often has a high deductible. At the counter, the rental companies then offer overpriced additional insurance or “all-inclusive packages” that make little sense under time pressure.
Check insurance conditions and avoid overinsurance
According to experts interviewed by the NZZ, a common mistake made by car renters is that they do not inform themselves sufficiently about the insurance cover offered. It is reassuring to know that every rental vehicle in Europe is usually covered by a basic liability insurance policy. However, Joëlle Jeitler from AXA Insurance warns: “This does not necessarily have to be the case, especially outside of Europe.”
A tricky approach: Many tenants only rely on the landlord’s basic insurance. However, this often does not cover all risks. Comprehensive insurance including liability, theft and fully comprehensive insurance is particularly important if you want to be financially secure and have no reserves for any claims after accidents or damage.
The TCS recommends that car renters take out liability insurance with a coverage amount of at least one million francs. According to the TCS, additional fully comprehensive insurance with no deductible is also recommended. Tip: Also check whether your credit card or your own car insurance offers additional protection abroad.
Dominic Mathis, Head of Private Customers at VZ Versicherungszentrum AG in Zurich, says: “You should choose the insurance cover that best suits your holiday destination and clarify the amount of any excess. You should also check what an existing annual travel insurance policy already covers in order to avoid double insurance.” In the event of a dispute, you should definitely contact your travel or legal protection insurance company early on. Ideally, legal protection insurance will cover the legal costs and provide legal representation if necessary.
Tips for a worry-free car rental
- Book early: Book early to get better prices and a wider selection. Rentals outside of city centers or airports are often cheaper.
- Check credit card terms: Check if your credit card offers rental car insurance coverage to save costs.
- Take additional costs into account: Check the cost of extras such as additional drivers or child seats and decide what is necessary.
- Check insurance conditions: Be aware of the scope of insurance, clarify deductibles, and consider additional insurance. Make sure that passengers and occupants are protected.
- Only sign what is understandable: Do not sign anything you do not understand. If in doubt, consult a translator or lawyer.
- Check rental agreement: Check details such as mileage limits, return times and fuel regulations. Record verbal agreements in writing.
- Deposit and payments: Make sure the deposit is paid correctly and sort out the refund.
- Have emergency numbers ready: Save emergency numbers for your provider and your insurance company.
- Plan return: Allow enough time for the return. Only use the landlord’s key drop-off facility in an emergency.
- Please note the return policy: Many rental companies require that the vehicle be returned with a full tank. Returning the vehicle with an empty tank or after the agreed time can result in high fees.
- Invoice verification: Check the landlord’s final invoice for additional fees.