Armagh Car Hire are well-known as Northern’s most friendly, and most competitive car rental services, but just to provide a little more clarity on what some of the fees are associated with hiring a car in Northern Ireland, we thought that it might be helpful to provide this short guide.
Car Hire Fees & Charges Guide NI
When hiring a car in Northern Ireland, several fees and charges may apply, depending on the rental company, the type of vehicle, and the specific terms of the rental agreement.
Here are the main fees to be aware of:
1. Base Rental Fee
- Daily or Weekly Rate: This is the basic charge for renting the vehicle, calculated either on a daily or weekly basis. The rate varies depending on the car type, size, and rental period.
2. Insurance and Excess Fees
- Collision Damage Waiver (CDW): Typically included in the rental price, but it comes with an excess (the amount you would pay towards any damage). You can purchase additional insurance to reduce or eliminate this excess.
- Super Collision Damage Waiver (SCDW): Reduces the excess to a much lower amount or to zero, but comes with an additional daily fee.
- Personal Accident Insurance (PAI): Optional insurance that covers medical expenses and personal injury in case of an accident.
3. Fuel Charges
- Full-to-Full Policy: You receive the car with a full tank and are expected to return it full. If not returned full, you’ll be charged for refueling, usually at a higher rate than market prices.
- Prepaid Fuel Option: Some companies offer the option to prepay for a full tank of fuel at a set price, allowing you to return the car with any level of fuel.
4. Additional Driver Fee
- If you want more than one person to be able to drive the rental car, there is often an additional daily charge for each extra driver.
5. Young Driver Surcharge
- Drivers under 25 (or sometimes under 30) may be subject to an extra daily fee, reflecting the increased risk associated with younger drivers.
6. One-Way Rental Fee
- If you plan to drop the car off at a different location from where you picked it up, a one-way rental fee may apply.
7. Cross-Border Fee
- If you intend to take the car across the border into the Republic of Ireland, there may be an additional fee for cross-border travel.
8. Late Return Fee
- Returning the car later than the agreed-upon time can result in extra charges, usually calculated per hour or as an additional day’s rental.
9. Mileage Fees
- While many rentals offer unlimited mileage, some may have a mileage limit with additional charges for exceeding that limit.
10. Equipment Fees
- GPS/Sat Nav Rental: Fee for renting a GPS unit.
- Child Seat Rental: Fee for renting a child safety seat.
- Roof Rack/Ski Rack: Extra charge for these additional items.
11. Administrative Fees
- Traffic Violation Handling Fee: Charged if the rental company has to process any traffic violations you incur during the rental period.
- Cleaning Fee: If the car is returned excessively dirty, a cleaning fee may be charged.
12. Airport Surcharge
- Rentals from an airport location may include an extra surcharge due to the convenience and higher costs of operating at the airport.
Being aware of these fees can help you better understand the total cost of your car rental and avoid any unexpected charges. It’s always a good idea to carefully read the terms and conditions of your rental agreement before confirming your booking.