Business travellers are “cutting corners” and “damaging cars” when renting vehicles for work, a new study has found.
The research from Yougov commissioned by icarhireinsurance.com found that one in three business travellers have damaged a hire care, with 18 per cent of those admitting that the damage was their fault.
Ernesto Suarez CEO of icarhireinsurance.com said companies should ensure travellers carry out simple checks before renting to avoid unnecessary costs.
“When you pick up a hire car it’s essential to check it over thoroughly and note every mark including on the wheels and tyres,” said Suarez.
“We see plenty of people getting charged for minor damage which were on the car when they picked it up but unfortunately were not noted in the paperwork. Sadly in the modern world of vehicle rental this can be tantamount to writing a blank check to the rental desk.”
The study of around 2,000 respondents showed while eight out of 10 business travellers are “diligent” in checking their hire car for damage before driving, only half check the condition of the wheels and tyres.
It also found around half of business travellers had to return their hire car without seeing a hire car representative, because “no-one was available”.
“When a small chip to the windscreen or a damaged tyre can cost hundreds to fix business travellers need to make sure their companies are protected from unwanted costs by buying excess car hire insurance before they fly,” said CEO and founder of iCarhireinsurance.com.
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