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“My time’s restricted… how do I select?”
Automotive rental is a scorching matter for vacationers headed to Costa Rica. Current analysis carried out by the Costa Rican Institute of Tourism (ICT) signifies that, after lodging, renting a automobile is the biggest expense, averaging $702 for an eleven-day trip.
The Web is buzzing with damaging evaluations discussing overcharging, poor customer support and mechanical breakdowns. You might need even written one your self!
A typical midsize (3 – 4 adults) 4X4 rental runs between $58 and $65 day by day with third social gathering insurance coverage and charges can differ as a lot as 20 % amongst automobile rental firms, so studying a fast evaluate will probably be time effectively spent when you calculate the financial savings.
So the query is; which rental firm presents one of the best stability of truthful worth, succesful customer support and dependable autos? I’ve researched all of it for you, so maintain studying!
Disclosure: This analysis was carried out in Might – July 2013. The next firms have been chosen as a result of they’re probably the most extensively utilized in Costa Rica. Some are native firms; others are worldwide franchises of acknowledged model names. Comparisons embrace: customer support, pricing and the reservation course of. The businesses are listed alphabetically and never based mostly on private or on-line preferences.
Contemplate this info earlier than renting:
Insurance coverage
One of many largest causes for complaints is from the stack of unexpected expenses offered to the renter as soon as standing on the rental firm’s counter. Vacationers are usually drained after a protracted flight after which are confronted by prices that weren’t anticipated, defined or budgeted.
Topping the checklist of grievances is the non-disclosure of charges related to the necessary third-party insurance coverage on the time the reservation is made.
In keeping with Costa Rican legislation, each driver is required to hold legal responsibility protection to insure in opposition to accidents to 3rd events. Automotive rental firms usually chorus from disclosing the price of this coverage within the quoted rental fee to look extra aggressive. Necessary third-party insurance coverage can typically be as a lot as double the car’s rental price. The one assure in opposition to insurance coverage confusion is to inquire in case your estimate contains the third social gathering insurance coverage and demand on a written citation.
Price of Necessary Insurance coverage (additionally known as Third Social gathering or SLI)
Anticipate to pay between $12 and $15 day by day for this insurance coverage, relying on the make and mannequin of the rented car and the rental automobile company. This can be a authorized situation of your rental settlement and is mostly not lined by bank cards and can’t be waived. It is a truth of renting a automobile in Costa Rica.
Collision Injury Waiver (CDW)
Because the title suggests, this is not insurance coverage, however a waiver, which relieves the renter from any legal responsibility for harm to the rental automobile after the deductible is paid (normally from $750 to $1,500). Some companies require renters to buy their CDW coverage; thereby negating any bank card program. For a further price, many companies do supply a zero legal responsibility choice the place the renter will probably be free of paying for any harm to the automobile. Some firms could put strain upon renters to buy the zero legal responsibility protection; nevertheless, it’s totally non-compulsory, except it’s within the advantageous print of their rental settlement.
Bank card insurance coverage packages could cowl the CDW for a rental car. Test together with your chosen rental automobile firm to seek out which proof of insurance coverage is required after which request that out of your bank card firm previous to arriving. If you happen to use your bank card’s CDW coverage, count on to pay the next deposit on the car; round $1,500 to $2000 is widespread. The upper deposit ensures that the bank card holder has sufficient monetary reserves to cowl damages if wanted. You will need to think about that if utilizing CDW protection supplied by a bank card (in lieu of the lease a automobile operator), all damages will probably be billed to the renter’s bank card. The bank card firm will then reimburse the cardboard holder for damages.
Extra Insurance coverage
Tires and windshields are not often included in insurance coverage insurance policies, though further insurance policies could also be taken out for overlaying these continuously broken gadgets. Neither the inside nor the beneath of the car could also be lined. All the time learn the advantageous print.
Normal Process
Your bank card will probably be charged, or a ‘maintain’ positioned, for the rental car in the course of the time of the rental settlement; i.e. from selecting up the rental till you come back it. Debit playing cards are usually not acceptable.
Further Fees
Most firms have surcharges for added drivers, automobile seats/boosters, cell telephones, coolers, GPS and/or roof racks. The prices differ from firm to firm, however since these extras are billed at a day by day fee, it’s value checking the full price — further choices can add up in a short time! A GPS is round $8 to $10 per day; nevertheless, some operators could supply discounted models. Anticipate to pay round $5 day by day for a kid seat and some {dollars} a day for all the opposite ‘niceties’. Vamos is notable for providing most of those choices and, throughout some promotions, even the GPS rental complimentarily. Alamo, Funds, Hertz and Nationwide cost probably the most for such further choices; whereas the opposite firms listed, cost extra affordable costs.
Surcharges
Most firms add small incremental prices, similar to license plate and environmental charges, into the full tally. Be cautious of operators who insert these further expenses into the small print of the rental contract. Automobiles rented direct on the airport incur airport taxes, that are a whopping 12% of your rental price!
The rental car needs to be returned with the identical quantity of gasoline, except in any other case indicated. If not, firms could cost above gasoline station charges for lacking gasoline.
Automobiles
There’s a debate over the autos equipped by rental firms: Older automobiles enable the motive force to mix in additional than a shiny, new automobile. Having an older mannequin could have the oblique advantage of being much less scrutinized by automobile rental companies for current nicks and scratches, not like a more recent car. Nonetheless, a more recent car could also be extra roadworthy. This debate carries on into the totally different car makes and fashions. Usually, Costa Rican corporations are in a position to lease their autos for a decrease fee as a result of their automobiles are usually three to 5 years outdated (versus two to 3). On-line evaluations would counsel that the native corporations haven’t any extra complaints regarding car high quality than transnational franchises; analysis on boards, similar to TripAdvisor.com, appears to point that clients continuously respect driving a less-than-new car by the wilds of Costa Rica. The explanations are a lot, from highway circumstances to the notion of less-then-new autos mixing in higher — a more recent car could draw extra undesirable consideration.
The alternatives of rental automobiles in Costa Rica are principally restricted to makes and fashions that preserve a aggressive resale worth, are a typical model within the nation, and are cheap to keep up. As such a rent-a-car operator’s fleet have a tendency to not be as numerous as america. Toyota, Nissan, Mitsubishi and Hyundai represent the mainstay manufacturers of most rental fleets.
Generally, drivers are charged for supposed ‘damages’ to the car upon return. As soon as receiving the car, renters ought to meticulously test for pre-existing flaws and examine it with the car inspection doc utilized by the rental automobile consultant. Some renters counsel photographing or videoing the car from all angles, to keep away from any disagreement between pre-existing and just lately broken gadgets.
Pricing
Automotive leases in Costa Rica are pricier in comparison with different international locations. Duties on autos are excessive (as a lot as 50% of their worth!), components are costlier and unforgiving highway circumstances contribute to increased put on and tear, producing increased upkeep prices.
The rule is you get what you pay for — there are different choices than these rental firms listed right here, however they don’t seem to be listed for a great cause. They merely fail to supply fundamental customer support and/or an appropriate car situation required for a (practically) trouble-free trip.
When evaluating rental automobile expenses, it’s best to go on to the Costa Rican web site of the rental automobile firm, slightly than attempting to make use of their worldwide format or an middleman (Expedia, Travelocity, Orbitz, Kayak, et al.). For a similar autos and reservation dates, the charges supplied by the respective worldwide vs. Costa Rican web sites for Alamo, Funds, Hertz and Thrifty differed considerably.
To keep away from confusion, print out all correspondence with the automobile rental firm with whom you will have reserved a car and produce this to the rental workplace with the quote given on the time of reservation.
The next high ten chart ranks the businesses from highest priced to lowest and it contains the necessary insurance coverage cost. Within the circumstances of Alamo and Hertz, the determine accommodates their CDW price as it’s considered one of their rental necessities. This worth comparability is predicated on per week’s rental of a Daihatsu Bego, the place obtainable (Greenback presents the Suzuki Vitara) from September 14th – twenty first, then once more in December to view each Inexperienced and Excessive Season charges. The checklist rapidly demonstrates that the worth variation relies upon drastically on the corporate — for principally the identical service. These costs have been obtained in June/July 2013.
Rental Automotive Firms Ranked In keeping with Value
September
10. Alamo $650.96
9. Hertz $514.27
8. Adobe $449
7. Funds $455
6. Nationwide $428.01
5. Thrifty $421.05
4. Service $374.43
3. Vamos $370.30
2. Greenback $364
1. Wild Rider $350
December
10. Alamo $650.96
9. Nationwide $597.51
8. Hertz $566.52
7. Funds $555
6. Greenback $532
5. Thrifty $506.58
4. Service $494.43
3. Vamos $461.30
2. Adobe $459
1. Wild Rider $395
Alamo ranks quantity ten for each seasons, making it the most costly firm. Funds, Hertz and Nationwide additionally fee low on the dimensions for economical rental choices.
Firm Summaries
Adobe
Web site is obvious and straightforward to make use of, however pricing and even the autos listed aren’t the identical as these given by an workplace consultant over the telephone. Necessary insurance coverage prices aren’t proven with the checklist of autos and rental expenses, however they’re clearly displayed on the next web page as a buyer strikes in direction of reserving a reservation. Blended buyer evaluations on-line. E mail response is lower than 24 hours, however could not present all requested info.
Toll-free U.S.A and Canada telephone quantity. No Dwell Chat.
10 places of work nationwide
Necessary insurance coverage: $19 day by day
Further expenses: GPS $9/day, little one seat $5/day
Alamo
Web site is obvious and straightforward to make use of, however costs differ in opposition to quotes acquired over the telephone. Necessary insurance coverage prices aren’t given with the checklist of autos and rental expenses, however they’re clearly displayed on the next web page because the buyer strikes in direction of making a reservation. Blended buyer evaluations on-line. E mail response is lower than 24 hours.
No toll-free U.S.A and Canada telephone quantity or Dwell chat
14 places of work nationwide
Necessary insurance coverage: $11.95 day by day, however should additionally take their CDW at $12.95 day by day
Further expenses: GPS $12/day, little one seat $6/day
Funds
Web site is fundamental, however simple to make use of. Costs on-line differ to the quotations given by a consultant over the telephone and relying on whether or not the worldwide or Costa Rican web site is used. Necessary insurance coverage prices are given together with the checklist of autos; nevertheless, the opposite expenses aren’t listed. Blended buyer evaluations on-line. E mail response is greater than 24 hours.
No toll-free U.S.A and Canada telephone quantity. No Dwell Chat on Costa Rican web site.
10 places of work nationwide
Necessary insurance coverage: included within the listed worth
Further expenses: GPS $10.95/day, little one seat $12/day (the most costly of the highest ten)
Greenback
Web site is obvious and straightforward to make use of. Costs quoted differ if calling from the U.S. or in Costa Rica. Necessary insurance coverage prices aren’t given with the checklist of autos and rental expenses, however they’re clearly displayed on the next web page as a buyer strikes in direction of a making a reservation. Blended evaluations on-line, however usually receives optimistic suggestions. E mail inquiries answered inside 24 hours.
Toll-free U.S.A and Canada telephone quantity. No Dwell Chat.
3 places of work nationwide
Necessary insurance coverage: $16 day by day
Further expenses: GPS $9/day, little one seat $5/day
Hertz
Web site is obvious and straightforward to make use of. Necessary insurance coverage prices aren’t given moreover the checklist of autos and rental expenses, however they’re clearly displayed on the next web page because the buyer strikes in direction of a reserving a reservation. Blended buyer evaluations on-line. E mail response lower than 24 hours.
Toll-free U.S.A and Canada telephone quantity and Dwell Chat (though it appears to be completely offline)
7 places of work nationwide
Necessary insurance coverage: $17.43 day by day, however their CDW can be a requirement
Further expenses: GPS $12/day, little one seat $2/day
Nationwide
Web site is obvious and straightforward to make use of. Necessary insurance coverage prices aren’t given together with the checklist of autos and rental expenses, however they’re clearly displayed on the next web page as a buyer strikes in direction of making a reservation. Blended buyer evaluations on-line, however extra optimistic than damaging. E mail response lower than 24 hours.
Toll-free U.S.A and Canada telephone quantity. Dwell Chat.
22 places of work nationwide
Necessary insurance coverage: $25 day by day (the most costly of the highest ten)
Further expenses: GPS $12/day, little one seat $6/day
Service
Web site is obvious and consumer pleasant with only a slight confusion in that a web based quote is obtained by clicking on ‘Reserve Now’ and never the ‘Get a Quote’ choice. The response to a telephone inquiry was to make use of the web site. Necessary insurance coverage prices are given together with the checklist of autos and rental expenses for the off-season expenses and on the second web page of the opposite citation web page. Bear in mind is a extremely advisable gross sales consultant who’s talked about in lots of on-line evaluations for the excessive stage of his customer support. Usually on-line evaluations are optimistic for Service. E mail response is lower than 24 hours, though all info requested will not be acquired.
U.S.A telephone quantity, however not toll-free. No Dwell Chat.
5 places of work nationwide
Necessary insurance coverage: $15 day by day
Further expenses: GPS $5.99/day, little one seat $2.99/day
Thrifty
Costa Rican model of the web site is unattainable to make use of and you’re requested to register for a consumer title and password. Necessary insurance coverage prices aren’t given together with the checklist of autos and rental expenses. A buyer has to click on on “Safety Choices” on the U.S. web site and choose the necessary insurance coverage by clicking on it — implying that it’s non-compulsory and never a required price. Thrifty are likely to obtain blended evaluations on-line. E mail response is greater than 24 hours.
Toll-free U.S.A and Canada telephone quantity. No Dwell Chat.
4 places of work nationwide
Necessary insurance coverage: $19.99 day by day
Further expenses: GPS $10/day, little one seat $5/day
Vamos
Web site is obvious and straightforward to make use of. Necessary insurance coverage prices aren’t given alongside aspect the checklist of autos and rental expenses, however are clearly displayed on the next web page because the buyer strikes in direction of reserving a reservation. Anibal, a consultant, is continuously talked about in on-line evaluations for his excessive stage of customer support expertise. Normal Supervisor, George Schwarzenbach is thought on Journey Advisor for his upfront and trustworthy responses to clients’ posts.
In recent times, Vamos has acquired very optimistic evaluations on-line. E mail response is lower than 24 hours. Dwell Chat has immediate response time to inquiries.
Toll-free U.S.A and Canada telephone quantity. Dwell Chat.
3 places of work nationwide
Necessary insurance coverage: $11.95 day by day
Further expenses: GPS $8/day, little one seat free
Wild Rider
Web site is obvious and straightforward to make use of. Necessary insurance coverage prices are given subsequent to the checklist of autos. Wild Rider is the one automobile rental agency in Costa Rica with no seen unhealthy evaluations on-line. Proprietor, Thorsten, is usually praised for his effectivity and customer support, regardless of the very restricted sources the corporate has at hand. Emails obtain very immediate and detailed responses in lower than 12 hours.
No toll-free telephone quantity or Dwell Chat
1 workplace — no Liberia airport workplace
Necessary insurance coverage: included
Further expenses: GPS $8/day, little one seat $5/day
Comparability Overview
Buyer Service
Vamos and Wild Rider reply rapidly and effectively to electronic mail or reside chat inquiries. Adobe, Alamo, Greenback, Hertz, Nationwide, and Service reply to electronic mail inquiries in lower than 24 hours, however Adobe and Service didn’t present all the knowledge requested (probably a language barrier). Funds presents a free telephone service, but it surely seems to be at all times busy. Hertz’s reside chat seems to be consistently offline. In the course of the previous 12 months, clients who posted to on-line evaluate websites expressed a selected satisfaction with the customer support supplied by Service, Vamos and Wild Rider.
Readability
Adobe, Alamo and Funds have totally different rental costs posted on their web sites than these quoted over the telephone. Phone costs have been decrease than that quoted on the web site within the circumstances of Adobe and Alamo, however but increased within the case of Funds. Adobe additionally presents totally different car fashions over the telephone as in comparison with their web site. Worldwide automobile rental corporations with each a Costa Rican and worldwide web site seem to have pricing variations between the 2 websites.
Funds and Wild Rider embrace the necessary insurance coverage of their rental costs, however Funds states that ‘different expenses’ which will probably be offered on the counter within the small print on their web site. Rental costs for automobile seating needed to be verified on the telephone as they don’t seem to be listed on the Funds web site.
All different firms except Thrifty (a U.S. web site), clearly present the necessary insurance coverage price with the citation given. Thrifty’s Costa Rican web site is solely unusable.
Pricing
Service, Vamos and Wild Rider constantly supply one of the best charges for each Inexperienced and Excessive seasons, though Greenback has one of many lowest Inexperienced season charges obtainable, whereas Adobe has a less expensive Excessive season fee. Vamos supply one of the best “all inclusive” charges, given that almost all choices are supplied without cost.
Adobe, Greenback, Service, Thrifty and Wild Rider stay aggressive with their pricing of things similar to little one seats. Alamo, Hertz and Nationwide are the most costly firms to lease from and their further choice prices are additionally costlier.
“So, what’s your rental advice?”
General, the Costa Rican firms appear to trump the multi-nationals with higher pricing, service and readability.
Service presents a usually high-level of customer support and pretty aggressive pricing at each worldwide airports.
Vamos can supply environment friendly reserving and continued high-level of customer support with aggressive pricing, in addition to free further choices at each SJO and LIR airports.
Wild Rider could be very extremely rated for a rental with clear and economical pricing and glorious customer support, however they’re solely in San Jose.
“Now you are able to e book your rental automobile after seeing how the competitors compares. Good luck and blissful travels!”
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Source by Sara P Ford