When Car Hire Goes Wrong

Car Hire Horror Stories

This is my experience in hiring a hire a car and this is what not to do. My accident occurred in latter 1990s. I needed to visit some work friends many hundred miles away. At this stage in my life I lived in a tiny city in the country.

I did not own a motor vehicle and there wasn't any direct convenient bus or train service to where my work colleagues lived. I made up my mind to take the bus, then hire an automobile, at the closest place available. I went to the city where the car hire or hire an automobile place was found. When I appeared at their business to hire the rental car, the sun had set and it was rapidly getting darker.

Hiring the Car

I went in to the business, to ask about hiring a vehicle. The owner had one car good to go. Being dark outside I could not see the hired car too well, but it looked ok, so we returned to the office to do the forms. The automobile hire form had details about the car, how long I was expecting to lease the auto for, and the insurance decisions, so the agent filled out all that.

I was definite that I selected to have the automobile and myself covered in full by insurance. I assumed the insurance box was checked, as covered. He took an imprint of my Credit card to pay for the auto hire and that was it.

I had a good way to drive in the dark. My route took me across rough mountainous rustic country side, to a giant lake, where there had been a ferry crossing. At night when you are driving in an agricultural mountainous area always be attempting to find deer, foxes and other animals rambling along the road side.

Infrequently deer become alarmed by the noise and headlights of the automobile approaching and they need to dash across the road out front of you.

You wish to be prepared to slam on the breaks, in order not to break the employed automobile you are traveling in. Then you can mark off where you are and the places to turn ahead, so you're not making an incorrect turn, like I probably did.

Wrong Turn at Night

I sort of made an inaccurate turn some where along the way. Rather than taking the direct way to my destination, I ended up taking an indirect route. It was dark and snowy, and I spotted that the road and country side, did not look like where I deserve to be. I kept driving and a sign appeared with the following city ahead and how far to head to get there.

Then I realised, it was merely a slight detour or side trip for me. I felt much better when arriving at the following city, and knew which direction to go. What's left of my trip went well and I arrived safely at my destination. I had a good weekend with my mates, catching up, going out to dinner. The return trip was more interesting as it was day time. I could enjoy the handsome country side.

Each thing went well to start with. I checked the time, and it seemed like there had been enough time to get to the ferry by driving a little quicker than usual.

That was a mistake.

It looks like I must go quicker, so I do. I'm looking to cut my time of travel down to just arrive before the ferry leaves. This is absolutely not the thing to do when driving a hired auto, especially in an agricultural area where there are birds around. As I'm speeding down a hill a slightly giant dark colored bird darts out front of the automobile. This could be a huge bird, about the dimensions of a chicken.

Feathers and Cars

At the high speed I am traveling at I hit the bird. There had been a sickening popping sound as the car and bird collided. The feathers and bird flew up and to the side of the automobile. I keep going and get to the ferry on time. I drive on the ferry and park.

Getting out to check the auto griddle, I am getting a shock. There was a massive hole in the plastic car griddle. Broken pieces of plastic and feathers showed what had occurred. I continue on my way to return the auto to the rental company. When I arrive at the auto rental place I should tell the owner about the bird collision. He isn't too impressed.

Expenses and More Car Trouble

We study the rental form where the insurance section isn't checked as covering the damage. The owner wants many hundred bucks and that charge goes on my Visa card too. Go to a major name vehicle rental company. Be positively sure of your insurance details. Check that you are covered for all damage.

Know what the insurance deductible amount is. That is the amount that you are going to need to pay, before the insurance pays the balance of any damage. Read the form over scrupulously 2 times prior to signing it. Have a great trip in the car you hire and don't get caught out like in our story.

Book Reliable Car Hire

Do your research, example firms offering reliable car hire services abroad include :

Hertz Car Rental
Avis car Hire

You can also find out more about other car offers by using comparison search engines such as MoneySupermarket.com.

Remember to check the travel insurance cover also.