Here's a copy of Bea's tips on how to avoid problems when renting cars in Europe, presented at the March, 2005 meeting of the Travel Club:
To save time and hassles, it is wise to arrange car rentals in the U.S. before embarking for Europe. Reasons include:
1) The type of car desired can be reserved
2) The pick up place can be specified
3) Costs are known in advance
4) Insurance is assured as part of the rental agreement
5) Permission is secured to drive the car through multiple countries, if that is part of your trip
6) Drop off charges can be ascertained ahead of time if you desire to drop off the car at a different location or a different country.
Type of Auto
This depends on the nature of your trip and number of people involved. For two to four people, a car works very well. For a family, a van might be a better choice. You will get the best mileage with a vehicle that has manual transmission*, and diesel fuel. Gas prices are double or more in Europe than in the States. For comfort you should have a 4 door for 4 people, and an enclosed trunk (not a hatch back) is very important so that luggage is not visible when you park. Select a company who will give you unlimited mileage.
2nd Driver
If two or more people are on the trip, pay the small fee to register a 2nd driver. In case the primary driver gets sick or cannot drive for some reason, it is imperative that a 2nd driver be able to take over. Some car rental companies will not rent to drivers who are over 70 years of age. Check to make sure there are no restrictions.
Insurance
Most car rental companies provide liability insurance ( 1 million dollars preferred) and 0 deductible for comprehensive collision damage or theft of the car. However, many countries in Eastern Europe have such high collision rates that you may be charged a deductible amount in case of collision. (Note: we had $360 deductible when traveling to 6 Eastern European countries in the fall of 2004)
Many credit card companies provide collision and car theft coverage, for replacement value of the vehicle.
For example, with Visa through Capitol 1, they provide insurance for a rental car and a claim can be submitted immediately by a collect call to their international # (410-581-9994). Check with your credit card company before you leave to determine if they provide coverage.
Picking up the Car
If you are arriving in a large city, and do not want the car for several days until you leave the city, it is best to arrange a pick up at a location other than the airport. Most cities have a downtown or other location where the rental car can be picked up. It will be less expensive to use a location other than the airport.
Things to do at the Car Rental Agency when Picking up the Car
1. Make sure the rental agreement includes all the proper insurance. Most countries require a Green Card proving the car and drivers are insured. Ask about this.
2. Make sure there is a Vehicle Registration Card showing the car belongs to the Car Rental Agency.
3. Make sure the car is equipped with a first aid kit, white and red triangle, and nationality sticker on the rear. These are required equipment in most countries and you can be fined without it.
4. Check to make sure the rental agreement that you received ahead of time in the U.S. is the same that you are signing at the Car Rental Agency. Make sure the cost is the same.
5. Be sure of the time and date to return the car. Make sure someone will be available to receive the car when returning it. Do not put the keys in a “drop box.” Many bad things have happened with drop boxes.
6. Fill the car with gas before returning it to the Car Rental Agency. They will charge you more if they have to fill the tank.
7. Ask the Car Rental Agency to remove all signs or decals indicating the car is a rental.
8. Get a map of the city and have someone at the Car Rental Agency clearly draw your route to get out of the city and also the route to take when returning the car. Buy really good maps like Michelin.
Read Travel Books Ahead of Time to Get Rules of the Road
Books written by Rick Steves or Lonely Planet will give the rule of the road for driving in specific countries.
Great Resource for Car Rentals and Airline Tickets
Hal Christiansen, owner of Travel Concepts in Salem is an excellent person to arrange car rentals in Europe. He can get a better price on airline/car rental packages than when an individual tries to go online because he deals with wholesalers who give him better prices. Contact him at 503-588-9077. Address: 1683 Skyway.
*Note: If you are not experienced at driving a vehicle with manual transmission, you should seriously consider a vehicle with automatic transmission. The last thing you need in a strange country, with crazy traffic, unfamiliar roads/road rules, and foreign language signs, is to struggle with a manual transmission while trying to negotiate traffic. This is even more critical when traffic drives on the left side of the road (U.K., Japan, Australia, New Zealand, etc.) and the car's controls are reversed (gear shift operated by the left hand instead of the right). –Ed.
