Car Rental Hacks: Avoid Extra Charges on Tolls, Insurance, and Damage Claims!

Hiring a car abroad should be simple; pick up the keys, hit the road, and start your holiday. The reality? Car rental companies make billions from hidden fees, sneaky extras, and tourists who don’t know the rules.

From my own experience in Florida, I learned just how easy it is to get stung. A toll road two miles from the airport with no cash booths, a child seat that costs more than buying one outright, and the constant pressure of insurance upsells, it all adds up fast if you’re not prepared.

The good news is that most of these traps are avoidable. With a bit of planning (and a couple of minutes with your phone camera before you drive away), you can protect yourself from surprise charges and keep your holiday budget intact.

Here are the car rental hacks that saved me money and the ones I wish I’d known before I landed.

Quick Tips (Read Before You Drive Off!)

• Film and photograph every inch of your rental car before leaving the depot.

• Accept or arrange a toll pass if driving in the US; cash tolls are gone in many states.

• Buy cheap car hire excess insurance online before your trip.

• Always choose a full-to-full fuel policy and fill up nearby.

• Check child seat costs; it may be cheaper to buy one locally.

• Bring your own sat-nav or use Google Maps to avoid rental GPS fees.

• Be cautious with pick-up times; missing it could result in losing your booking.

• Book online through cashback sites to earn money back on your hire.

Watch the video on Instagram for extra info on checking your car!

Why You Need to Check Your Car Before Driving Away

Before you even put the key in the ignition, whip out your phone. This is one of the simplest but most powerful ways to protect yourself from unfair charges later.

• Record a comprehensive walk-around video of the car, both inside and out. Don’t rush it; move slowly around the vehicle, capturing every panel, bumper, wheel, and even the roof. Step inside and film the interior too, including the seats, dashboard, and windscreen.
  

• Take close-up photos of scratches, chips, and dents. Zoom right in so there’s no doubt about what was already there when you picked it up. Focus especially on areas that are commonly damaged, such as bumpers, alloys, and door edges.
  

• Make sure your camera records the time and date. Most smartphones do this automatically, but it's best to double-check. A timestamp proves the damage existed before you drove off.
  

When I did this in Florida, a few people gave me side-eyes in the car park, as if I were being ridiculous, slowly circling the vehicle with my phone out. But we’ll see who looks nuts if Avis tries to claim for a scratch I didn’t cause when I return it. That video is my insurance policy, and it didn’t cost me a penny.

How to Do the Perfect Car Hire Video Walkaround

1. Start outside – film slowly around the whole car, capturing every panel, bumper, wheel, and even the roof.

2. Check the glass – windscreen, mirrors, and windows for chips or cracks.

3. Zoom in on damage – take close-up photos of scratches, dents, chips, and scuffs (especially alloys and bumpers).

4. Film the interior – seats, dashboard, steering wheel, and carpets.

5. Don’t forget the boot – include spare tyre and tools if supplied.

6. Ensure your camera captures the time and date – proof that the damage existed before you left.

7. Take your time – ignore the funny looks. Two minutes of filming could save you hundreds at drop-off.
   

The Toll Trap I Fell Into in Florida

This was my biggest headache. When I collected the car from Avis, I was told about their E-Pass/SunPass toll option. I declined, saying I'd pay cash at the tolls, as I have done in previous years, and the agent removed the toll package from my booking.

What she didn’t mention is that cash toll booths no longer exist on Florida highways!

Just two miles from the airport, I reached the first toll plaza, which was cashless only. With the in-car reader switched off, I drove through without paying, meaning I’ll now face extra rental charges.

By the time I realised, I had to turn the device on, which means I’ll now be billed for the entire hire period when I drive through my next toll booth. Stressful and avoidable.

Lesson learned:

• At US airports (especially Miami in Florida), the first toll can appear almost immediately, so you have no chance to buy your own pass beforehand.

• If the rental desk offers you a toll pass, it might be the least stressful option, even if it feels overpriced.

• If you decline, set your sat-nav to avoid toll roads, but double-check routes carefully.
  

Insurance: What You Actually Need

Rental desks are experts at the hard sell of insurance. They’ll push collision waivers, theft protection, and personal accident cover — often at £15–£20 a day. But:

• Travel insurance typically covers medical expenses and personal belongings.

• Credit cards sometimes include rental car insurance if used to book.

• You can buy car hire excess insurance online for around £2–£3 a day.
  

Hack: Buy excess insurance before you travel and decline the overpriced add-ons at the desk.

Fuel Policy Tricks

Always check the fuel terms:

• Full to full: Best choice. Fill up nearby before returning the car.

• Full to empty: Worst choice. The company refuels at inflated prices.
  

Use Google Maps or Waze to find the closest petrol station to the depot so you can return the car topped up and avoid extra fees.

Child Seat Costs Add Up Fast

Another sting: the car seat we paid for locally came to £64.44 for 10 days, which’s £ 6.44 per day. Over a longer trip, it might actually be cheaper to buy a new one than to rent.

The catch? If you’re collecting your car at the airport, as we did, you need a seat straight away to legally and safely transport your child. That makes bringing your own or sourcing one elsewhere tricky.

Hack:

• Many airlines let you check a child seat for free.

• If you can’t, consider renting baby equipment from a company near your destination.

• If you’re staying in one place, check local supermarkets or baby stores, you may still save by buying.
  

Watch Out for Pick-Up Time Traps

When you book, you’ll be asked to give a pick-up time. What many people don’t realise is that if you’re late, the company may cancel your booking and give the car to someone else! That could mean having to rent another vehicle on the spot, often at a much higher price.

I gave myself a time well after our scheduled landing, but even though we landed early, the immigration queues were so long that by the time we reached the rental desk, we only had 40 minutes left before our booking time expired.

The terms state that you can call if you’re delayed and they’ll try to hold the car, but if your plane is late, you can’t exactly phone from the air. By the time you land, it might already be too late.

It feels like a real con; you’ve already paid, but unless you play the timings perfectly, you risk losing the car altogether.

Hack:

• Always give yourself a generous buffer between landing and pick-up time.

• If possible, book with a company that offers a clear grace period or a guaranteed hold.

• If travelling long-haul, expect immigration to take longer than you’d like and plan accordingly.

  
  

Other Car Rental Hacks to Save Money

Bring Your Own Sat-Nav (or Just Use Google Maps)

Rental companies still charge £10–£15 per day for GPS units. That’s £100+ for a 10-day hire. But with Google Maps, Apple Maps, or Waze, you don’t need one.

Things to check:

• Data abroad: Make sure you can use your phone in the country you’re visiting. I paid £7 per day for unlimited data in the US, which still worked out far cheaper than paying for a rental GPS.

• Phone-to-car connection: Many modern rental cars come equipped with Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. I linked my phone to the car’s screen, allowing me to use Google Maps directly on the large display. It made driving much easier and eliminated the need for any extra sat-nav hire.

• Back-up: Download offline maps in case you lose signal, and carry a car charger or power bank; navigation apps drain batteries quickly.
  

Check Mileage Limits Before You Book

Some rental deals look cheap but only include limited mileage (like 100 miles per day). Go over that and you’ll pay per mile, often 20–40p.

Hack:

• Look for unlimited mileage if you’re doing longer journeys.

• Do the maths on restricted deals to see if they’ll still work out cheaper.
  

Return the Car on Time (Seriously)

Car hire companies often charge in 24-hour blocks. If you pick up at 10 am and drop off at 11 am, you’ve gone over, and they can charge for an extra full day.

Hack:

• Match pickup and drop-off times carefully when booking.

• Allow buffer time in case of traffic or delays.

• Some firms give a 30–60 minute grace period, but don’t count on it.
  

Don’t Forget Cashback on Car Hire

If you’re booking your car in advance online, which most people do, you can often earn cashback on your booking.

I booked mine through Trip.com and used Complete Savings because it offered the best rate at the time: 10% cash back.

Here’s how it worked out:

• Car hire cost: £342.03

• Cashback qualifying spend (ex. tax): £331.77

• Cashback earned: £33.17
  

That’s a solid saving just for clicking through the right site.

I also checked Quidco and TopCashback, but Complete Savings came out on top. It’s always worth comparing, because the best deal changes frequently.

👉 You can read my full Complete Savings Cashback Review for more details on how it works and why I’ve personally earned over £750 through them.

Rental Car Red Flags to Watch For

• Damage – Always film and photograph every inch before you drive off. Tolls – In the US, many roads are cashless. Don’t decline the toll pass unless you know for sure you can avoid toll roads.

• Insurance – Buy excess cover online before you travel; it's much cheaper than the desk price.

• Fuel – Select “full to full” and fill up at a nearby petrol station. Avoid “full to empty” refuel policies.

• Child Seats – Daily hire fees are steep. Bring your own if possible, or buy locally.

• Pick-Up Time – If you miss your collection slot, they may give your car away. Always add a buffer for flight delays and immigration.

• GPS Hire – Don’t pay extra. Use Google Maps or Apple Maps on your phone, and check you have data access abroad.

• Mileage Limits – Cheap deals may restrict miles. Go over and you’ll pay per mile.

• Late Returns – Even arriving just 1 hour late can trigger an extra day’s charge.

  
  

Car rental companies thrive on small mistakes. A missed scratch, a forgotten fuel stop, or a misunderstood toll policy can quickly turn into a big bill.

With a bit of prep and a quick video of the car before you drive away, you can avoid their tricks and keep more money for the fun parts of your trip.