Car Rental Guide for the Customer

When renting a vehicle, we suggest you consider the following to ensure the right choice for your needs

1. Which car to rent?
Decide on the size and type of vehicle you require. Generally, the smaller the vehicle is and the fewer the frills, the lower the rental charge.

What you need to decide is: will a small runabout do for a short trip or do you require more comfort, air-conditioning, plenty of space for holiday luggage needs plus several passengers?

Click here for a list of the types of vehicles generally available

2. Rental Charges
Besides the rental rate charges (for the time and kilometers travelled), there will be other charges which may apply to your rental. These could include:

1. Waivers (insurance) for accident damage and/or theft. You will be able to save costs in this area if you know exactly what it is that you are paying for.
   Find out how Waivers are structured and understand that car rental companies require that their vehicles be returned in the same condition they were at time of rental and that any costs incurred through damage and/or theft will be for your account – minus the cover provided by the waiver option you’ve purchased.
2. Additional Driver Fee
   In the event that you nominate another person to drive the vehicle at any time during the rental period, an Additional Driver Fee will be charged.
   This is not an ‘insurance’ and should a non-listed person drive the vehicle, any waiver cover taken, will fall away.
3. Delivery and Collection Charges
   Save costs by collecting the vehicle from your nearest car rental outlet, as opposed to having the vehicle delivered to you.

Find out more about the various other additional charges that apply to car rental contracts.

3. Which Car Rental company to choose?
We recommend that you always choose a supplier that is a member of SAVRALA so, view our directory of Car Rental Members

Our members are bound by a Code of Conduct and Charter and in the event that a dispute arises, the association will endeavor to assist in its resolution.

Each of our members offers various rates which are structured to meet a range of rental requirements, from long term rentals (including limited free kilometers) to lower daily per kilometre charges for those short city business trips.

Visit our individual members’ websites or ring their call centre to find out what vehicle options and special rates may be available at the time of your intended rental.

4. How to handle Accidents or Vehicle Theft
In the unfortunate event of your being involved in an accident or, should your hire car have been stolen, please be sure to follow the correct procedures:

• obtain as much information as you can relating to the incident
• alert the car rental company to the incident as soon as possible
• complete the car rental company’s document / form relevant to accident or theft
• in the event of an accident, never admit fault or responsibility to any other party