Guide to Renting: Everything you need to know about renting a car with Avis



Benefits of renting a car
Flight numbers are important!
Car hire in 3 easy steps
Avis GPS
Fuel options
Insurance options
Anything else?



Benefits of renting a car


Wherever you go on holiday or on business, renting a car makes things a whole lot easier. You can pick your car up at the airport, put your luggage in the back and away you go!

Renting a car means that you can enjoy the scenery at your own pace. You do not have to rely on public transport or taxis, and you can take everything you need for the beach, a day out or a business meeting without having to carry it a long way. It gives you the freedom to explore at your own pace. If you discover that secluded little cove where no-one is around then you don't have to worry about missing the last bus - you can stay as long as you like and enjoy your own private piece of paradise.

Thoughts of going home can be really stressful - remembering to pack everything, making sure you have your tickets and passports, getting to the airport on time - but with an Avis car you do not have to rely on that over-crowded bus, or worry about the train being late. And if you take our Fuel Up Front product, you won't even have to worry about filling up the car on the way.

Flight numbers are important!


Here's a tip for you... When you're hiring from an airport it's important to input your flight number when booking, or tell us your flight number when you book by phone. It means that:
  • If your flight is delayed we know that you'll be late and will wait for you, even after closing time.
  • At certain locations with different terminals (like Manchester) we know which side of the airport to have your car waiting.

Car hire in 3 easy steps


1. Booking your car hire

You will need to:
  • Be aged 23 or over at the date of rental ·
  • Have a full, clean driving licence for at least a year ·
  • Have a valid payment card for Pay Now rates

You will also need to:
  • Know your dates and times of travel, and flight number ·
  • Select your Avis car rental location(s) ·
  • Select the kind of car you'd like to drive

2. Collecting you car hire

You will need to:
  • Show us your driving licence and credit card
  • Choose any additional cover that you would like
  • Decide which fuel option works for you
  • Check and sign your rental agreement if you are not an Avis Preferred member
  • Check the car for any existing damage

3. Returning your car

When returning your car:
  • Please try and return your car by the agreed time
  • Return your keys to the Avis desk, or use Rapid Return, our mobile check-in service
  • Avis will check for damage and fuel level
  • Final payment for your total rental will be processed, and you will be sent an invoice through post or email

Avis GPS


The navigation service from Avis, powered by TomTom, provides you with the best in portable in-car navigation. Just choose your destination address, and let TomTom do the rest, directing you with clear turn-by-turn instructions. Or let TomTom find you a restaurant, filling station, hotel or your Avis return location.

Avis GPS is offered at hundreds of Avis rental stations worldwide and comes in a range of TomTom units.

Renting an Avis GPS unit in the UK costs just £8 per day - ask for your unit at the rental desk when picking up your car.

Map coverage includes:
Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Great Britain, Ireland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, The Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and Vatican City.

The user interface/application runs in:
Czech, Danish, Dutch, Estonian, Finnish, Flemish, French, Italian, Spanish, Catalan, German, Hungarian, Slowakian, Latvian, Lithuanian, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese, Swedish, Turkish, UK English, US English

The following languages are supported for spoken navigation instructions:
Australian, Bulgarian, Catalan, Chinese Cantonese, Chinese Mandarin, Czech, Croatian, Danish, German, Dutch, Estonian, Finnish, Flemish, French, Greek, Hungarian, Italian, Japanese, Latin American Spanish, Latvian, Lithuanian, Malaysian, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Russian, Serbian, Slovenian, Spanish, Swedish, Thai, Turkish, UK English, US English

Fuel Options


Save time and money with…

Fuel up Front

Buy a full tank of fuel ahead of your rental and save time and money.
  • Fuel charged no higher than local petrol station prices (and at a discount for rentals in the UK)
  • Saves you the hassle of finding a petrol station on return
  • No charge if car is brought back full
  • Ideal if you are in a hurry

You will be offered the Fuel up Front product when you pick up your Avis rental car.

Alternatively…

Pay on Return
  • Find you haven't got time to refuel? We can refuel the car for you
  • Price includes a re-fuelling service charge
  • Saves you the hassle of finding a petrol station on return

You will automatically be using the Pay on Return option if you did not choose Fuel up Front or if you do not return your car full.


Or…

Bring Back Full
  • Of course, bring the car back with a full tank of fuel and there will be no fuel charges from us, even if you took the Fuel up Front option when you picked up your car


Insurance Options


We appreciate that hiring a car can sometimes be a confusing experience, especially when it comes to knowing what you are covered for.

At Avis, we try harder to make everything about car rental as simple and transparent as possible. That means no jargon and no hidden extras.

This guide will give you an easy-to-understand description of the options and benefits as well as answer a few commonly asked questions.

Find out more from our Blog
For further information on what your price includes and what additional cover is available read blog post 'What's included in your quote'

What you are covered for
What most rentals are covered for
Products to reduce your excess
Personal cover
Additional Information

Third party cover (TPC)

Also known as Motor Liability Insurance, Legal Liability Insurance

What's covered?
Covers you in case you cause damage, including damage to passengers and their property, when using the Avis vehicle
What's not covered?

Theft or attempted theft of the vehicle Theft of personal belongings from the vehicle Death or injury to the driver Damage to the rental vehicle

This cover is included in the rental price.


Vehicle Damage Cover

Also known as Collison Damage Waiver (CDW), LDW in Australia, NZ and USA

What's covered?
If the rental car is damaged, you will be covered for the cost of repairing the Avis vehicle You will, however, have to pay an excess charge towards the cost of repair. This can be up to £600 in the UK (excess levels vary by country). This applies regardless of fault. If we can cover these costs from a responsible third party, we'll reimburse you.
What's not covered?

Intentional damage/gross negligence Damage caused by not using correct fuel Damage caused as a result of a breach of the rental agreement Damage through attempted theft

Your car hire quote will state whether Vehicle Damage Cover is included.


Vehicle Theft Cover

Also knows as Theft Protection

What's covered?
Covers you for the cost of replacing the Avis vehicle (or parts of it) if it gets stolen If the vehicle, or parts of it, is stolen you will have to pay an excess charge towards the replacement cost. This can be up to £600 in the UK.

What's not covered?
Negligence when leaving car unsupervised (eg car unsupervised) or keys safekeeping (eg left in ignition)

Your car hire quote will state whether Vehicle Damage Cover is included.


Premier Cover

Premier Cover
Available for rentals in UK only. You will find similar products in other countries.

What's included?
Reduces your excess to £100 FREE additional driver Super Personal Accident Insurance* Provides our most comprehensive cover
What's not covered?
Damage caused intentionally or by gross negligence Damage caused by failure to use correct fuel Damage caused as a result of a breach of the rental agreement
Prices vary by car size. Cover starts from £11 per day up to a maximum of £15 per day. This is charged for the first 7 days of rental only.

Premier Cover is available for purchase at the rental station when collecting your car (not available for pre-booking online)

Please note: Super Premier Cover is available for those customers who do not have Vehicle Damage Cover or Vehicle Theft Cover included in their rate. Please ask a member of staff for more information when collecting your Avis hire car

*Super Personal Accident Insurance is the same as Personal Accident Insurance but with increased maximum claim limits.


Personal Accident Insurance

In case you are not covered by a travel insurance policy, we will offer you cover when you pick up your vehicle.

What's covered?
Personal accident - a maximum of £42,000 per insured person in the event of death, loss of limbs or eyes or permanent total disablement Medical expenses incurred due to an accident - a maximum of £2,100 per insured person Unlimited assistance and rescue costs Baggage up to £2,100 per vehicle - conditions and item limits apply
What's not covered?
Vehicle must be locked and items stored in luggage compartments Certain personal items are not covered. Examples of exclusions can include money, personal documents, passport etc
Price: £4.75 per day

Personal Accident Insurance is available to purchase at the rental station when collecting your car (not available for pre-booking online) For full policy details for Personal Accident Insurance and Super Personal Accident Insurance please ask a member of staff when collecting your Avis hire car


Additional Information

Who's covered to drive?
Only those people named as drivers on the rental agreement are insured to drive the vehicle. Additional drivers can be nominated for a charge. An additional driver is included when taking Premier Cover.
Taking a car abroad
To take a vehicle abroad you must purchase an additional protection package, which is available from Avis rental locations. However, please be sure to give at least 48 hour notice to arrange this cover.

Anything else?

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