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Car hire recommendations

Posted: Sat Feb 3, 2024 9:19am
6 replies3 members subscribed
Deb0409

Posts: 7

1 helpful points

Location: Los Balcones

Joined: 14 Dec 2023

We have just bought an apartment in Los Balcones, does anyone have any recommendations for reasonably priced and trustworthy car hire companies? We used a UK comparison website to hire a car with insurance from the airport, but when we collected the car the rental company insisted we buy extra insurance and weren’t covered without it. Any recommendations much appreciated.

aitchc1401

Posted: Sat Feb 3, 2024 12:17pm

aitchc1401

Legendary helpful member

Posts: 1897

2054 helpful points

Location: Los Dolses

Joined: 15 Mar 2018

Posted: Sat Feb 3, 2024 12:17pm

Hi Deb,

    there are quite a few historic posts on here about car hire companies and their dubious practices. You do not have to have to take the additional insurance that the car hire companies try to force on you, but you should check the car fully before driving it off and make sure that you highlight any damage not already noted on your collection documents to the rental company, before leaving the airport. Taking pictures on your mobile at collection and drop-off is highly recommended also.

If you are going to hire regularly consider taking car hire excess insurance, that covers excess claims for damage to the car. There are many different insurers about and they all seem roughly the same price and quality. I used Questor, but look on google for other options. It is roughly about £45 for one year, Europewide.

Car hire companies that are recommended on here are Lara, Coys rent-a-car, Edi rent-a-Car, Magnum, Wiber. You can book them all direct on-line. 

 Goldcar consistently get poor feedback, I personally would not use them.

 If you are visiting regularly for extended stays then you might want to investigate the cost of buying a car here, could be a cheaper option.

Rgds,

Aitch.

Stevec2x

Posted: Sun Feb 4, 2024 11:35am

Stevec2x

Super helpful member

Posts: 1861

1058 helpful points

Location: Playa Flamenca

Joined: 23 Jan 2020

Posted: Sun Feb 4, 2024 11:35am

Hi Deb

Lara have an office very close to you (Los Altos), and are frequently recommended https://laracars.com/offices/ 

Cheers

Steve

Mac59

Posted: Sun Feb 4, 2024 12:52pm

Posts: 56

10 helpful points

Location: Rojales

Joined: 18 Sep 2022

Posted: Sun Feb 4, 2024 12:52pm

Hi Deb

As mentioned in the posts, it can be a minefield!!

We have been hiring cars on Do you spain for 2 years now, we’ve tried 3 suppliers but the best in our opinion is Drivalia,probably used them 16 times now.

Easy pick up from -2 level at the airport,

But get independent excess insurance as previous mentioned, about £46 I paid.

And also,still make sure to check the car over rigorously with your phone on video.

Hope this helps.

Mac.

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Deb0409

Posted: Sat Feb 10, 2024 8:51am

Deb0409

Original Poster

Posts: 7

1 helpful points

Location: Los Balcones

Joined: 14 Dec 2023

Posted: Sat Feb 10, 2024 8:51am

aitchc1401 wrote on Sat Feb 3, 2024 12:17pm:

Hi Deb,

    there are quite a few historic posts on here about car hire companies and their dubious practices. You do not have to have to take the additional insurance that the car hire companies try to force on you, but you should check the car fully before driving it off and make sure th...

...at you highlight any damage not already noted on your collection documents to the rental company, before leaving the airport. Taking pictures on your mobile at collection and drop-off is highly recommended also.

If you are going to hire regularly consider taking car hire excess insurance, that covers excess claims for damage to the car. There are many different insurers about and they all seem roughly the same price and quality. I used Questor, but look on google for other options. It is roughly about £45 for one year, Europewide.

Car hire companies that are recommended on here are Lara, Coys rent-a-car, Edi rent-a-Car, Magnum, Wiber. You can book them all direct on-line. 

 Goldcar consistently get poor feedback, I personally would not use them.

 If you are visiting regularly for extended stays then you might want to investigate the cost of buying a car here, could be a cheaper option.

Rgds,

Aitch.

Thanks Aitch, very helpful.

Deb0409

Posted: Sat Feb 10, 2024 8:53am

Deb0409

Original Poster

Posts: 7

1 helpful points

Location: Los Balcones

Joined: 14 Dec 2023

Posted: Sat Feb 10, 2024 8:53am

Stevec2x wrote on Sun Feb 4, 2024 11:35am:

Hi Deb

Lara have an office very close to you (Los Altos), and are frequently recommended https://laracars.com/offices/ 

Cheers

Steve

Thanks Steve, will look at Lara.

Deb0409

Posted: Sat Feb 10, 2024 8:54am

Deb0409

Original Poster

Posts: 7

1 helpful points

Location: Los Balcones

Joined: 14 Dec 2023

Posted: Sat Feb 10, 2024 8:54am

Mac59 wrote on Sun Feb 4, 2024 12:52pm:

Hi Deb

As mentioned in the posts, it can be a minefield!!

We have been hiring cars on Do you spain for 2 years now, we’ve tried 3 suppliers but the best in our opinion is Drivalia,probably used them 16 times now.

Easy pick up from -2 level at the airport,

But get independent excess insurance as previous mentioned, about £46 I paid.

And also,still make sure to check the car over rigorously with your phone on video.

Hope this helps.

Mac.

Thanks Mac, it certainly is a minefield!

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