Just back from a long weekend in Soll, via Munich. Got a good deal on carhire with Enterprise through Arguscarhire which included winter tyres. Because there was snow forecast, I decided it was best to get chains as well. The guy initially wanted to charge €10 per day but immediately agreed to half this when I pointed out that I wanted to hire them for 4 days not buy them 8) . He did mention the "cross-border" charge and I overheard the lady dealing with a customer beside me describe this as an insurance cost - I don't believe this for a second. Thankfully, my guy waived the charge in my case for reasons that were not clear to me. Perhaps he sensed that I would not be pleased with such a charge :shock:. To complete a happy experience, he also gave me a free upgrade :mrgreen:.Dave Mac wrote:For my regular trip of the year, I need to choose between train from Munich to Woergl, or car hire at Munich flughaven.
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.
Big Variation In 'Winterisation' Charges Where Chains Compulsory
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Is this an individual policy which will cover car hire excess, as I don't seem to be able to find this on their website?
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Started by J2SkiNews in Ski News 03-Feb-2016 - 16 Replies
Wanderer
reply to 'Big Variation In 'Winterisation' Charges Where Chains Compulsory' posted Feb-2016
Andymol2
reply to 'Big Variation In 'Winterisation' Charges Where Chains Compulsory' posted Feb-2016
Car hire "extras" is a nightmare where the desk clerks are usually on a commission to sell various elements including "extra" insurance which is essentially all profit if you have already purchased insurance!
Winter tyres are often another scam in many ski destination airports where they try and charge you for fitting winter tyres which are often either mandatory in that country or already fitted to the car. I had that discussion at Graz airport - they finally backed down when I said "If I don't pay will you put summer tyres on?" I had to be fairly forceful but we were under the impression that the tyres were mandatory and presumably the hire company could have been in trouble for hiring out an un-roadworthy vehicle.
Winter tyres are often another scam in many ski destination airports where they try and charge you for fitting winter tyres which are often either mandatory in that country or already fitted to the car. I had that discussion at Graz airport - they finally backed down when I said "If I don't pay will you put summer tyres on?" I had to be fairly forceful but we were under the impression that the tyres were mandatory and presumably the hire company could have been in trouble for hiring out an un-roadworthy vehicle.
Andy M
Felthorpe
reply to 'Big Variation In 'Winterisation' Charges Where Chains Compulsory' posted Feb-2016
Always read the small print and don't be afraid to cross out the bits you don't agree with and then present the modified contract and tell them that is what you are prepared to sign up to. Most desk jockeys do not understand the T&C's and will give in just to get the sale.
I can see my house from here...
T.C
reply to 'Big Variation In 'Winterisation' Charges Where Chains Compulsory' posted Feb-2016
Went via Munich to Kitz last month. Europcar tried to get me to pay for satnav, which I had with me anyway, so said no but fully working in the car anyway.
No mention about the tyres as they are on the car anyway, usual dance about the additional insurance which I purchased separately via atlas direct for £11 and just reminded me to get the vingette, 8 Euros I think, at a filling station
Pretty painless otherwise
No mention about the tyres as they are on the car anyway, usual dance about the additional insurance which I purchased separately via atlas direct for £11 and just reminded me to get the vingette, 8 Euros I think, at a filling station
Pretty painless otherwise
Tony_H
reply to 'Big Variation In 'Winterisation' Charges Where Chains Compulsory' posted Feb-2016
T.C wrote:....usual dance about the additional insurance which I purchased separately via atlas direct for £11
Is this an individual policy which will cover car hire excess, as I don't seem to be able to find this on their website?
www
New and improved me
T.C
reply to 'Big Variation In 'Winterisation' Charges Where Chains Compulsory' posted Feb-2016
Yes sorry, part of AIG group and comes under www.direct-carexcess.co.uk
T.C
reply to 'Big Variation In 'Winterisation' Charges Where Chains Compulsory' posted Feb-2016
And yes covers the excess
LOTA
reply to 'Big Variation In 'Winterisation' Charges Where Chains Compulsory' posted Feb-2016
I have an annual car hire excess policy from insurance4carhire - £39.99 for the year, unlimited rentals covered. Waved it at the Hertz clerk at Frankfurt and the Avis desk jockey at Bordeaux recently during the usual insurance dance; both surrendered immediately with barely a whimper!
Topic last updated on 11-February-2016 at 16:36