noelrosie

I booked our car hire with www.doyouspain.com as I always do, way back in October for our trip out to Spain next week.
I printed off the booking confirmation as normal. This morning, they emailed me a 'reminder' in the form of a new booking confirmation which now includes the line
Additional driver: 9eur/week (maximum 18?)
I am sure that in the past I have always been able to put my husband's name on the rental agreement without an extra charge.
I am querying the matter with them (it's only 18€ but its a question of principal).
Anyone else had this problem?

Saxy

Correct me if I'm wrong, but in Spain it's the car that is insured not the driver.
So I don't understand the extra charge

snikpoh

Not always - you can decide.


It is normal for the car to be insured but as I say, not always.

Fred James

That's a bit of an oversimplification.

All car insurance policies in Spain or anywhere else cover the car.

The policy stipulates who can drive the car.

In Spain most policies cover any driver over the age of 25 (this varies from company to company). The insurer can limit who drives if they wish to.

Car hire companies may have different insurance terms with their insurers which limit the number of drivers.

It's far more likely that it is just an excuse to make more money!

Saxy

When I bought a car from a very reputable hire company, I paid a deposit and drove the car on a three day trial on their insurance. No name on any documents. When I enquired of my insurance company about named drivers on the policy I was told that it was the car that was insured not the drivers.

noelrosie

Thanks for your advice everyone.
I decided to check www.carjet.co.uk and see what their policy on extra drivers is and although they also charge per additional driver, the same car for the same number of days came in 150€ less than I was due to pay for my booking with www.doyouspain.com
So the moral of the story is, if you book your hire car well in advance (we booked last October for July2011) check again nearer the time and see if the price has gone down! I'm glad I did

Saxy

Well done

agoreira

I've also seen it work the other way, due to a shortage of cars in peak period, high prices, or no cars available. In the past demand has exceeded supply. I know in Málaga in the past people were turning up and there were no cars, or their contract had been increased to some crazy price. It's good it worked to your advantage, but depending on time of year, it's not always the best option.
This was warning from a few months ago
http://www.hispacar.com/blogs/es/unc...sta-en-espana/

noelrosie

That is why we booked our summer car hire so early this time(i.e. last October) - in the past we have had difficulty securing the car we wanted for our summer holiday.
When we come out in the Spring or Autumn, its never a problem.
I am just pleased that I checked rates with another provider today, and that I was able to cancel my original booking!

MEL & JOHN

When I collect a car they ask for my driving licence but we usually have another 2 drivers free but they don't require their licences. I feel concerned that if they were driving and there was an accident as they are not on the rental agreement that the insurance would not pay out. I am sure that on Travel Rent/ Economy Car Hire or Ins4carhire I read that only drivers named on the rental agreement would be covered. must look at the docs and T & C's before my next trip but any thoughts ?

Mel

agoreira

I always put my wife on as additional driver (not sure why, she's never driven in Spain!) they have always taken her passport/driving licence details, and I've never had to pay for that. If I want an extra additional driver, I would have to pay for that, but the first additional driver has always been free when I've rented.

Domino

that would be my understanding in the UK, don't see why Spain should be any different.
putting the names of additional drivers on the docs means the hiring co have seen the licence and noted any restrictions

with the new plastic ID card driving licence how does hiring co know if you have been banned or have unacceptable points ? ?

jdr

That is against the law, every driver has to be named and their licence checked that it is valid.
Apart from an insurance problem you will also have one with the police.

mrsjdr

You do not pay for up to 3 extra drivers with our local company, also, just name and licence number taken, no paper details required. There is also NO extra charge for these extra drivers

Fred James

Because you are supposed to produce the paper extension to the licence which gives that info.