Earlier this year we discussed the falling availability and rising cost of car rental in our blog (see blog on the issue with limited car rental availability) advising customers to book in advance. However, as we begin to enter the peak season, booking a summer holiday car rental in advance may not be possible! Despite the high prices, we still want to look out for our customers. Read on for tips on how to find the best car rental deal this year.
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Why are car rental prices so high this year? | How to find the best car rental deal | Added extras | Insurance and excess protection | Rental inclusions | Which? Recommended Car Hire Broker 2022
Why are car rental prices so high this year?
Car manufacturing shortages coupled with an increase in post-pandemic travel has caused demand to outstrip supply. After the borders began opening up for tourism earlier this year, the car rental industry saw a huge influx of demand. However, car rental providers sold off most of their fleets during the pandemic to stay afloat and were unable to purchase enough new cars to meet demand due to the semiconductor microchip shortage.
How to find the best car rental deal amidst rising prices
Unfortunately, finding a car rental deal as cheap as the pre-pandemic prices may not be possible. Although, these tips can help you save a few pennies when renting a car in 2022!
Cut out unneeded upgrades or extras
Instead of purchasing extras like a Sat Nav, use mobile map apps that can be used offline such as Google Maps or Waze. If possible, it may be worth renting a more economical car that is cheaper to rent and run! Unsure whether a smaller car will fit your luggage or passengers? Read our blog on car rental categories to make sure you rent the right type of car.
Check the excess
Always check the excess of the car rental quote! You don’t want to end up paying a large fee if you get into an accident. At Zest, we always remove your excess so you’re not out of pocket if the worst happens.
Purchase third party insurance instead of buying provider insurance
Additional insurance can be a good way to have more protection if damage is made to areas that aren’t covered under the standard insurance. Purchasing the provider insurance at the desk can be more costly than third-party insurance, although it can void the need for a security deposit. We offer our own industry leading Top-Up insurance that offers full protection to the vehicle, for more details read our blog on what does Zest’s Top-Up Insurance cover?
Rent a car with free cancellation
It’s always safe to rent a car that offers free cancellation. This ensures you receive a full refund if your plans suddenly change. All bookings made through Zest include free cancellation up to 48 hours before the rental begins.
Browse car rental quotes but beware for hidden costs!
Search around before securing your rental car to find the best deal for you. However, don’t just book the cheapest deal you find, check the small print first! A lot of “cheap” car rental deals from unreputable brokers will have hidden costs and extra fees that drastically raise the advertised price.
Book out of season
It may be wise to look into planning your holiday out of season. The peak summer holiday season falls between mid-July and the end of August. Booking a holiday off peak, September for instance, will give you a better rate with more availability as you’ll be able to book in advance!
Book with the Which? Recommended Car Hire Broker 2022
For hassle-free car rental you can trust with competitive prices, book with Zest, the only Which? Recommended Car Hire Broker 2022. We can offer our customers free cancellation, excess protection, unlimited mileage, and an option to book now & pay later for those who don’t want to pay in full. We additionally offer 24/7 customer support to help our customers resolve any unwanted issues that may occur throughout their rental.
Don’t just take our word for it, read the full Which? Car hire broker article to see why Zest are the top broker!
