Big Variation In 'Winterisation' Charges Where Chains Compulsory
Started by J2SkiNews in Ski News 03-Feb-2016 - 16 Replies
J2SkiNews posted Feb-2016
The average costs for 'winterisation' of rental cars varies considerably depending on where you fly in to, according to a new study by iCarhireinsurance.com which provides car hire excess insurance.
Winter tyres and/or carrying/using snow chains are often compulsory in snowy conditions, or in some cases just in winter, in many European nations but car rental companies tend to see them as an 'add on extra' cost.
iCarhireinsurance.com compared the winterisation charges in six ski destinations (Geneva, Grenoble, Turin, Innsbruck, Sophia and Barcelona) levied by five car hire companies (Avis, Hertz, Budget, Europcar and Sixt) for a week's hire of a medium-sized car from 13 - 20 February 2016.
The survey found that the highest charge was in Grenoble with Budget charging a £119 winterisation cost while the lowest cost was £15, if hiring from Sixt in Sofia. On average drivers are paying around £37 for winterisation costs.
"The regulations on winter tyres and snow chains vary between countries, but car hirers do need to be up to speed on whether they need them in the country they're hiring in, otherwise they could face a 5,000 Euro fine in Austria, for instance," said Ernesto Suarez, CEO and founder of iCarhireinsurance.com.
AVERAGE WINTERISATION COST IN EACH DESTINATION
Barcelona £46.32
Geneva £64.14
Grenoble £52.73
Innsbruck £20.76
Sofia £19.85
Turin £20.07
Average Cost £37.31
Winter tyres are not compulsory in Switzerland, Italy, Spain and Bulgaria, however, if local signs indicate that snow chains should be carried in the vehicle, you are required to do so and if an accident were to occur a motorist without winter tyres would have a far greater chance of receiving the responsibility of any damage incurred from the collision.
"Winterisation charges are another example of how car hire companies snowball costs at the rental desk, and can make an original low rental price not such a good deal after all," said Ernesto Suarez, CEO and founder of iCarhireinsurance.com. "With these winter destinations, however, do make sure you've done your research and know the necessary equipment required for the country you're in."
EU laws regarding winter tyres and snow chain requirements are as follows:
• Germany - Must have winter or all season tyres (M+S*) fitted during winter seasons.
• Austria - Must have winter tyres (M+S*) fitted on snow covered roads from 1st Nov - 15th Apr.
• France - Carry snow chains and use as directed by local signs.
• Switzerland - Carry snow chains and use as directed by local signs. Winter tyres are recommended but not compulsory.
• Andorra - Carry snow chains and use as directed by local signs.
• Italy - Carry snow chains and use as directed by local road signs. Winter tyres are recommended but not compulsory.
iCarhireinsurance has produced a winter driving infographic on the subject:
https://www.icarhireinsurance.com/information-and-news/blog/infographic-winter-driving-top-tips
Bedrock barney
reply to 'Big Variation In 'Winterisation' Charges Where Chains Compulsory' posted Feb-2016
Msej449
reply to 'Big Variation In 'Winterisation' Charges Where Chains Compulsory' posted Feb-2016
Iceman
reply to 'Big Variation In 'Winterisation' Charges Where Chains Compulsory' posted Feb-2016
Lesson here everyone - if it's all inc at the start make sure they (hertz in this case) don't add it at the end!!
Msej449
reply to 'Big Variation In 'Winterisation' Charges Where Chains Compulsory' posted Feb-2016
Intermediaries like Holiday Autos collect your requirements and do the work for you, and claim also to get B2B rates unavailable to the public. The problem I've found with intermediaries is (a) they sometimes come back saying that they can't find the spec' you've asked for (so you end up spending as much time to-ing and fro-ing as you would have just trying out 3-4 Agencies direct) or (b) your spec' magically changes to something that they can supply or (c) the people who are actually supplying you with the car try to double-charge you.
So I opt to pay the premium and book via the agencies direct. But I do know that the Intermediaries can sometimes get good discounts.
Iceman
reply to 'Big Variation In 'Winterisation' Charges Where Chains Compulsory' posted Feb-2016
As with everything, always make sure that they are not charging you for something that you don't need when you return the car. I am happy to invest 20 minutes of time looking for the best deal rather than paying over the odds. Personal choice I suppose. Time v money ;)
Bedrock barney
reply to 'Big Variation In 'Winterisation' Charges Where Chains Compulsory' posted Feb-2016
We hired a car in Mallorca a couple of years ago. The form we were asked to sign was supposed to have identified any current damage but when I checked it before driving off there must have been at least another 10 dents and scratches, some of them pretty big. The rental guy was completely relaxed though and let me include the extra info before I signed my life away.
Edited 1 time. Last update at 03-Feb-2016
Dave Mac
reply to 'Big Variation In 'Winterisation' Charges Where Chains Compulsory' posted Feb-2016
So, I guess I have hired for most of the past 15 years or so.
Winterisation in Germany became mandatory several years back. This means that your tyres will meet the winter regs. Yes the chain demand may be brought into action on my local mountain road, but in over 45 years of driving there, it has never been acted upon. That may be different for others.
Please be aware there is a scam emerging from some operators. Mostly buried in small print is an item that if you are planning to travel outside of the country of hire, there wil be a charge, (€6~€10 per day) for traveling outside the country of hire. Last year, I point blank refused. This year, I read through the small print of each car hire company. It took four tries to avoid this clear scam. and accept the T&Cs of the company I chose.
It is certainly much more complicated than it used to be.
Topic last updated on 11-February-2016 at 16:36