Standard And Compact Rental Cars: What’s The Difference?

There are a number of different options to choose from when it comes to hiring a vehicle, and it can be difficult to know which is best for you. If you’d like to learn the main differences between standard and compact vehicles (as well as a few tips about cutting costs by purchasing car rental excess insurance), just read on and you’ll be clued up and ready to go before you know it.

Standard

Your standard rental car is essentially a slightly larger-than-average vehicle, made to be comfortable for longer journeys and offering more luggage space than usual. Another benefit is fuel efficiency, since these cars are usually slightly more efficient than others – vital if you’re keen to cut costs. So if you’re travelling with your family or just need plenty of luggage space, this might be the option for you.

Top Tip: Since these vehicles are slightly larger, it can take a while to get used to driving them. Make sure you have car rental excess insurance in place in case of any unfortunate mishaps.

Compact

Travelling with your family of four or just going on a short weekend break with a loved one? A compact vehicle might be your best bet. They are slightly smaller and don’t have as much luggage space. They do, however, often come at a great price due to their small capacity. Compact cars make for a great budget-friendly option.

Cutting Costs

Hiring a vehicle for your getaway won’t always be as cheap as you’d like it to be, but there are plenty of ways to make it more affordable.

• Get organised: You’re much more likely to get a better deal if you sort out your rental agreement in advance, so get organised and choose your ideal hire car before prices skyrocket.
• Know the basics: Many people end up having to pay hefty fines after their rental is brought back due to a lack of knowledge about certain elements of the contract. Make sure you read through all the paperwork and you’ll have a much more relaxed renting experience!
• Car rental excess insurance: If you have an accident in your hired vehicle, chances are you’ll have to cover the majority of the repair costs. Savvy savers make sure to purchase this additional insurance beforehand so that the ‘excess change’ is covered.

If you’re thinking about hiring a car in the near future, make sure you choose one that’s best suited to your needs. Whether you’re travelling for a couple of weeks at a time or just going on a short weekend getaway, there will always be an option for you – and plenty of opportunity to save as you go. Learn the ins and outs of your hiring agreement and purchase car rental excess insurance for a cheap, stress-free getaway.

Author Plate

Sam Walker is a specialist insurance expert at LowerHire, a company that offers low-cost single trip and annual multi-trip car rental excess insurance policies. Travellers can rest easy knowing they will be fully protected against any hidden hire car costs and look forward to a stress-free rental experience.