Renting a car in Ireland can be a daunting experience, even for someone like me, an Irish native now living in the U.S., who travels back home annually. Despite the joy of returning to Ireland, and arriving in Dublin dealing with car rental companies is often frustrating. From insurance pitfalls, high rental prices and damage disputes, the process can feel like an endless obstacle course. This guide aims to shed light on these challenges and offer practical tips to make the experience smoother.
Car Rental Insurance in Ireland.
The most challenging aspect of renting a car in Ireland is undoubtedly the insurance. Irish car rental companies are notorious for their hard-sell tactics, often refusing legitimate third-party insurance and pushing their own high-priced coverage. Full insurance coverage can cost around €40 per day, which adds up to a staggering €14,500 annually. When I arrive at the car rental desk, I brace myself for the hard sell of their insurance policy. I have been refused a car after travelling from the US with two small children in tow cranky and tired with jet lag. On that occasion I had taken out insurance with a US Company who covered car insurance in Ireland to reduce the overall cost of the rental. The rep said that insurance is invalid if you do not take out our insurance you cannot have a car while looking at the two tired cranky toddlers. I had no choice as the other rental kiosks were busy. Indeed, the obnoxious rep pointed out that no other car rental company would rent to me either, so it was best not to waste my time.
Renting the vehicle upon arrival
If renting a car is your first step upon arriving in Dublin you do not get a great impression of Irish tourism as there is an immediate sense of being scammed. On another occasion I was told I could not use the Insurance I had because they needed written confirmation from Expedia at a time when it was the middle of the night in the US. This time the kids were not as cranky, so I hung in there and waited a full hour to get through to Expedia who emailed the confirmation to Enterprise. I had my own printed copy of the coverage dated a week earlier which should have been sufficient, but they make up excuses to refuse you on the spot. On another occasion I called Dublin Airport and gave the policy number to the agent to place in the booking. She said absolutely this covered my vehicle. I got to the airport and had to slog through the usual fight to get the insurance accepted. The farce continued when I picked up the car with the agent running after me when I walked away with the keys saying “Mam your Insurance doesn’t cover the cost of this vehicle you will need to take out ours” I asked how much the car was worth and was told EU30K but the insurance only covered up to EU28K. I said fine, just put me in another vehicle under EU28K. He looked disappointed that his last minute ditch to defraud me did not work.
The Frustrations of Car Rental Insurance Grift
From these examples, you can get a feeling for how frustrating this hard selling of their own insurance is and how inconvenient they can make it for you if you do not buy their insanely priced insurance. The insurance fight is more winnable in the high season as the cost of the rental is extremely high and more profitable for the car rental Company, but if you travel low season be prepared to fight to the death to use your own insurance coverage. I have fully comprehensive with zero deductible with Chase Sapphire and I know their agents understand this is valid Insurance but that does not stop the grift and they still try to deny it every single time.
Key Challenges:
.Refusal to Accept Third-Party Insurance: Some companies outright reject insurance from credit cards or third-party providers, leaving travelers with no choice but to purchase their expensive plans.
- Inconsistent Requirements: On one trip, I had to spend an hour contacting Expedia to provide proof of coverage because the rental company refused my pre-printed documents.
- High-Pressure Tactics: Agents often claim your insurance doesn’t fully cover the car, forcing you to either upgrade or switch to their policy.
Tip: If you plan to use credit card insurance, ensure it is accepted in Ireland. Chase Sapphire cards, for instance, typically cover Irish rentals, but always confirm and carry documentation.
Credit Card Holds
If you successfully use your insurance, be prepared for a hefty hold on your credit card, sometimes as much as €5,000. This can severely limit your ability to use the card for other expenses during your trip.
Tip: Travel with a secondary credit card for other purchases to avoid being caught off guard.
Damage Charges and the Return Process
Another recurring issue is being charged for pre-existing or minor “damage” to the car. In my experience, rental companies are more likely to charge these fees when customers use their own insurance, as it doesn’t directly affect the company’s bottom line.
For example, I’ve been charged for a slight tire nick and minor scratches that could only be regular wear and tear. Disputing these charges can be impossible since rental companies rarely provide the necessary repair receipts for insurance claims. They have your credit card and deposit and are happy to use it.
Tip: Thoroughly inspect and document the vehicle at pickup and return. Take photos and videos, paying special attention to tires, rims, and windshields.
Why This Matters for Tourism
The excessive cost and complex processes associated with renting a car in Ireland deter many tourists. The Irish government and tourism authorities need to address these practices, as they tarnish the visitor experience. First impressions matter and being subjected to these challenges upon arrival is frustrating and unfair, especially for non-Irish tourists unfamiliar with the system.
Survival Tips for Irish Car Rental
Confirm Insurance Coverage: Call your credit card provider to ensure coverage in Ireland and obtain a certificate of insurance within 30 days of travel.
Book Early: Secure your rental well in advance for better rates.
Use a Secondary Credit Card: To manage the rental hold without impacting your trip budget.
Inspect the Car: Document all pre-existing damage with photos and videos before and after your rental.
Request Documentation: Ensure all necessary receipts and documentation are provided before leaving the rental lot.
Consider Off-Airport Locations: Rentals in city centers may be cheaper and less stressful.
Prepare for Narrow Roads: Choose a car size suitable for Ireland’s often tight roads, but ensure it accommodates your luggage.
If you are confident your insurance covers, you: Stand your ground and do not let them bully you because they do. They know you have been travelling a long time and I have been totally taken advantage of because I had small children.
Dealing with assessed damage when returning the car: You cannotspend all day disputing their “damage” assessment as you need to catch your flight. Make sure you drop the car off early with a full tank of gas.
Standard cars are SMALL: Exceedingly small so ensure you book a vehicle which holds all your luggage and passengers.
Do not be shy to ask for an upgrade: You can often get a bigger vehicle for a lot less per day than if you booked the same size vehicle in advance.
Cost of fuel in Ireland: A lot of cars in Ireland are run on diesel this is often costs less per gallon. Do not be too concerned about the cost of gas as the gas mileage in all cars is at least double what you get in the US, so it does not work out significantly more overall. The dollar is strong against the euro at time of publishing, which really helps with the total cost.
Manual or Automatic Transmission: Remember, that car rates are typically quoted as manuals or shift sticks, you will need to filter the results to show automatic. Thankfully, the difference in price between manuals and automatic is not a high as it used to be.
Conclusion
Renting a car in Ireland can be frustrating, but with preparation and persistence, it’s manageable. Stand your ground, stay organized, and don’t let high-pressure tactics or unreasonable demands ruin your trip. By following these tips, you can focus on enjoying Ireland’s stunning landscapes, vibrant culture, and warm hospitality without being bogged down by rental headaches.
Additional Information:
The ugly truth about renting a car in Ireland
Irish car rental rip offs at airports
Beware of Irish Car Rental scams
EX Pats warning on Irish car rental insurance scams
The Laurel and Hardy approach to Irish car rental damage
It is not just Ireland that has car rental horror stories as this post on my experience renting from Green Motion Car Rental London City Airport shows.