car rental terms of business

What's included

All Holiday Autos car rental rates include unlimited mileage, third party insurance, collision damage waiver liability (cdw), theft waiver, insurance excess refund (see below), airport surcharges, bail bonds (where needed) and all local taxes. For additional inclusions in 'the max' & 'ski max' see below.

Period of rental

Rental days are based on 24 hour units.
If you wish to extend the rental period after collection of the car or if you return the car late, you will be charged locally at the local daily rate, which may be higher than our rates. No refunds are payable on cars returned early.

Flight information

For airport pick ups, it is essential that Holiday Autos is given the correct flight number and arrival time, before departure. If this is not available at the time of booking, please ensure that you inform us of this at least 7 days prior to departure. If the information is not provided in time, Holiday Autos will do its best to ensure the car is available, but no responsibility can be accepted or compensation allowed for a failed rental due to the customer providing the information late.

Drivers age

If you are under 25 years old or over 65 years old, age restrictions may apply in certain destinations, and in some cases there is a young drivers charge payable locally.

Special requests

Child seats: these are mandatory in most countries and must be requested at the time of booking. If requested and confirmed they will be guaranteed. Roof racks, ski racks and snow chains: these are only available in some locations and should be specially requested at the time of booking. Where they can be provided, there is usually a charge for them which is payable locally. However, no guarantee can be made regarding their availability, unless you book the ski max (where available) to guarantee ski racks and snow chains/tyres.

Cancellation administration charge

• Holiday Autos levy a charge for the cancellation of any booking you are unable to honour prior to the collection date (see below)

• No refunds will be given for rentals ended early or late collections, for no shows or cancellations made after the rental start date, even if cancellation protection is taken

• All cancellations must be made in writing (and vouchers returned). Notice of cancellation can be by fax to 0870 4581794 or by post or by hand delivery or by email to sales@opensicily.com. Please quote your booking reference. Cancellation will take effect from the date received by us.

• You will be liable to a 100% cancellation charge if you fail to collect the vehicle on the collection date and have failed to notify us in writing in advance of this date

• You will not be liable for any Cancellation charges if you book 'The Max' or 'Ski Max'.

• Both cancellation administration charges and amendment charges can be eliminated for just £5 per rental week by taking special cancellation protection (see below).

Cancellation charges:

More than 7 days before start date £15
6-2 days before start date 50% of cost
2-0 days before start date 75% of cost
Note: Vouchers must be returned as soon as possible and be received by us before the date on which they could be used, otherwise no refund of any pre-payment will be made.

Cancellation protection insurance

For just £5 per rental week, Holiday Autos cancellation protection insurance will protect you from any cancellation charges payable if you are unable to honour your booking prior to the collection date. But no refunds will be given for rentals ended early or late collections, or for no show cancellations made after the rental start date, even if cancellation protection is taken.

Amendment charge

If you wish to amend your booking you must notify us as soon as possible and we will do our best to make the change. Provided we can do so, it will be subject to a £5 amendment fee.

Delivery/collection

Collection is normally at the airport or local office. In some locations deliveries are available during normal working hours. If you would like your car to be delivered, please call reservations on 0870 111 8451 to make your booking. A full address and preferred delivery time must be given. Delivery is normally to a local office, with a driver collecting you from your accommodation to pick up the car. Any charge (which is payable locally and subject to change) will be advised to you on booking, if applicable, unless you purchase 'the max' as part of your rental.

Out of hours’ charges

In most locations flights will be met and cars supplied outside of normal working hours. However, there may be an additional charge for this service payable locally. This will be quoted when your flight timings are given to us. Please note that in the event that a flight is delayed, causing the car pick-up to fall outside normal working hours, the additional charge will be made.

Driving licence

Drivers must produce a full British driving licence held for at least one year (or in some cases an international driving licence). In some destinations, drivers must have held a licence for a minimum of 2 years. It is the driver's responsibility to ensure that he/she has the appropriate driving licence. If you have any endorsements on your driver's licence, please advise our reservations agent on 0870 111 8451, as your booking may not be accepted. No refunds will be given for rentals rejected due to non-production of a driving licence or non-disclosed endorsements. Please note that if you have a new photo ID driving licence you will need to take the paper counterpart with you. For more details contact the DVLA in Swansea on 0870 240 0009. Faxed or photocopied licences are not acceptable.

Rental documents

The rental voucher must be presented when picking up your rental car. Holiday Autos cannot be held responsible for rentals rejected if a voucher is not presented. You should retain your rental documents for a minimum of 28 days after returning home.

Additional drivers

Additional charges often apply locally for additional drivers. Holiday Autos cannot be held responsible for any increase in charges. Please check with our reservations department at the time of booking.

Deposits

Deposits vary by destination. All customers must produce a valid credit card in the name of the driver upon collection of the car as a form of deposit. Cash deposits are rarely accepted. A deposit is often payable for fuel and is usually refunded if the car is returned with a full tank. If the tank is not full, fuel used will be charged by our local car rental supplier at its prevailing rate. Please check the fuel policy when you pick up your car. Deposits against damage, and a security for the car, are required in most locations and a major credit card can be used for this purpose.

Provision of cars

Please note that our local supplier can refuse to provide a car to any customer who is, in their reasonable opinion, unfit to drive or does not meet eligibility requirements. In such circumstances your contract with us will terminate immediately, and we will have no further liability to you.

Number of passengers

Rental cars are insured for a maximum number of passengers. In the interests of safety this number must not be exceeded and if exceeded the insurance will be invalidated. Holiday Autos cannot accept responsibility if the vehicle is not large enough to fit all passengers and luggage if adequate details were not supplied by you at the time of booking.

Driving restrictions

Restrictions are applicable when crossing country/state borders. If you plan to cross country/state borders, please call reservations on 0870 111 8451 to check whether this is permitted and what, if any, additional charges apply.
Insurance exclusions and excess refund policy
The Holiday Autos' insurance excess refund policy will cover you for any excess that you may be charged for damage caused as a result of an accident. You may be charged this excess by our local supplier, but can reclaim this providing you complete an accident report form on returning your car, and then forward a copy of this to Holiday Autos. Holiday Autos will refund the excess you have paid within 21 days of receiving your accident report form. The insurance excess refund policy does not apply to prestige cars. Insurance does not cover damage to tyres, windows, the roof, the underside, the interior of the car, towing charges or damage caused wilfully or recklessly. You may therefore be liable for the cost of this damage. Insurance cover is not provided for the contents of the car in the event of theft. In the event that keys are lost or damaged you will be liable for reasonable costs for obtaining a replacement.

Tax

All taxes are included except those on any extras purchased locally.

Car type/suitability

Holiday Autos is unable to guarantee a particular make or model of car. The car shown on your voucher is for guidance only and may be substituted for an alternative similar or upgraded car (at no extra cost). If you have booked a prestige car, the specific car booked is guaranteed. If it becomes impossible to provide the car booked due to breakdown or an accident, a similar or upgraded car will be provided. If you are dissatisfied in any way with the standard of the car booked, you must advise our local supplier immediately and Holiday Autos in writing within 28 days of your return. Failure to do so may result in any claims not being settled by Holiday Autos

Mechanical difficulties/accidents

In the event of any mechanical difficulties or accidents involving your car, it is important that details are reported to our local car rental supplier within 24 hours. You must also complete an accident report form by the end of the rental period. Local police should also be notified immediately in the case of accidents and a signed police report obtained. Full details of third parties should also be obtained. Authority to repair or replace a vehicle must be given by our local car rental supplier whose name and contact details are shown on your voucher and rental agreement. You should retain copies of all rental documentation in the event an insurance company is involved. Your insurance cover may be invalidated if this procedure is not followed correctly and this may prejudice any claim for compensation. A checkout form must be signed on return of the vehicle. Failure to do so may delay the investigation of disputes regarding insurance excess charges.

Complaints

Holiday Autos aims to resolve complaints within 28 days of receipt. However, some complaints will take longer owing to the nature of the issue and information provided. Holiday Autos may on occasion record telephone conversations for staff training.