Car hire in Canada?

[pinktraceb]

We've booked a package with Travelbag for a forthcoming trip to Canada. It includes car hire with Avis.

Travelbag say that all of the insurances are included.

I just wanted to check to see if there is anything I need to know about hiring a car in Canada? What should be included, so I can then double make sure everything is included?

Thanks in advance

[Mr Tom Morrow]

It is all but identical to a hire in the States.
This is from a quote on Virgin for an Alamo car hire.


Third Party Extended Protection (EP) up to $1million
Uninsured Motorist Protection (UMP)
Airport User Fee
Unlimited Mileage
24/7 Roadside Assistance
Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) - zero excess in event of damage/accident
One Additional Driver
Pre payable State/Local Taxes and Surcharges


So basically you want CDW and the usual SLI with a $1.000.000 limit plus all taxes etc.

These are the things to watch out for on a Google search:-

Extra Charges and Taxes

It’s important to watch for these extra charges, which can add a large amount to your final bill:

one-way drop-off fee
5% Goods and Services Tax (GST)
Provincial Sales Tax where applicable
per kilometre charge (if not unlimited)
higher per kilometre charge if travelling outside the province
fee for an additional driver
fee for renters age 21 but under 25
premium location fee, such as 10-15% at airports

The ones in bold are what to watch out for and to make sure you have them included on your rental with Avis.

[Spud_work]

I've rented in Canada on over 20 occasions, only significant difference between USA and Canadian rentals is that Canadian rentals typically come with an excess and many USA ones are zero excess.

The excess on my int-suv for this summer's rental in Vancouver is $500 and they put a hold on your card for that amount when you collect the vehicle.

I'm sure it won't happen to you, but I had my worst ever rental experience with a car booked through Travelbag (although this was for a USA rental in Denver) as the voucher they gave me couldn't be found on the website of the rental company and I had to sort it all out when I got home.

If you need any information on Canada please don't hesitate to ask as I've traveled it extensively from east (Newfoundland) to as far west as you can go (Northwest territories)

[Mr Tom Morrow]

Originally Posted by Spud_work

I've rented in Canada on over 20 occasions, only significant difference between USA and Canadian rentals is that Canadian rentals typically come with an excess and many USA ones are zero excess.

The excess on my int-suv for this summer's rental in Vancouver is $500 and they put a hold on your card for that amount when you collect the vehicle.

See more...

Seems a good reason to go with Virgin then. I couldn't be doing with an excess on a car hire.

[Wismgari]

As mentioned above, I rented in Canada last year and there was an excess on my Avis car hire (which I didn't realise until after I had booked). I took out gap insurance to cover it (although luckily I didn't need it). Other than that it was the same as my previous experience of renting in the US.

[pinktraceb]

Thanks all

[Spud_work]

Something I forgot to add yesterday, there is no availability for skip the counter for Alamo in Canada.

You can check in with Avis and Alamo online before your trip, but you still need to go to a counter to collect your papers, keys etc