Avoid Surprise Charges in the UAE: A Money-Smart Checklist for Car Rentals
The first time you scour the internet to find a car rental service in the UAE, you’ll likely see offers that might convince you everything is a steal. They range from the most unbelievably affordable rates to the most luxurious rides and special deals. But you should never overlook the fine print since what’s supposed to be a very good deal can quickly turn into a nasty surprise.
As most of the people who’ve ever rented cars in the Emirates will tell you, the real cost of a rental is often not what’s advertised. And it’s nothing shady; after all, sometimes cars get scratched, you park somewhere where you’re required to pay parking fees, etc. Preparing for such expenses is the best way to ensure the nastiest surprises don’t catch you unawares.
Insurance Traps to Watch For
Most of the car rental service providers you’ll encounter while searching for lease-to-own car plans in Dubai have something called “basic insurance.” But that term, basic, doesn’t mean a considerable amount of lifting here. What you may not realize is that this type of coverage comes with one tricky catch: high deductibles. If anything happens to the ride while you’re using it, you’ll have to cover most of the repair charges from your own pocket. Before you say no or yes to either basic or full coverage insurance, ensure you know what’s included and what’s not.
Deposits, Preauthorizations, and Frozen Funds
Many of the providers in the Emirates, including those that offer luxury car rental services, will place a preauthorization charge on your card. In other words, they will ask your bank to put a certain amount of money on hold, which can be used to cover any expenses that might come up. This can lead to significant holds, especially when you’re leasing or renting high-end rides. Also, note that sometimes the money held might stay that way for days or weeks after you’ve returned the vehicle. This might be caused by bank processing delays, slow rental admin checks, and other complications.
Salik, Parking, and Road-Related Charges
While cruising down the beautiful roads in the UAE, you won’t be 100% free from charges. When you pass through certain checkpoints, the country’s toll system, called Salik, will charge the rental company automatically. Then the company will transfer the charges to you later, so don’t be surprised. Also, most of the time you park, you will be expected to pay parking fees; failure to do so will result in some fines you’ll be hit with at some point in the future.
Fuel Policies That Quietly Cost You More
You may think fuel rules are simple and nothing to worry about, only to realize how wrong you were later. To avoid headaches related to fuel expenses, prioritize full-to-full policies. This is where a rental company gives you your ride with a full tank and expects you to return it in the same condition. If you don’t? The chances are some service providers will slap you with hefty premium refueling rates, with additional service fees as the cherry on top of this heartbreaking cake.
The Money-Smart Rental Checklist
Here is a revised list of tips that will help you dodge charge-related headaches:
- Confirm how much you will be expected to pay in total, and don’t put blind faith in the advertised prices.
- Ask about the included insurance and any deductibles you should be aware of.
- Check if the rental company has set a deposit amount and how long the funds will be on hold.
- If you want to get access to your refunds quickly, pay with credit cards.
- Research all road-related charges, including Salik and parking fees.
Ready for a Rental?
Armed with the tips and hacks we’ve discussed, you can get a rental car with utmost peace of mind. Knowing what you know now, it will be very easy for you to know what to expect and enjoy every ride, rather than fretting every second of the way. Remember that spending a few minutes asking all the questions you have and reading the fine print might seem like a lot of unwanted work, but it can save you a lot of unnecessary headaches.
