Renting a car in Uganda is very easy but sometimes comes with unexpected costs. In order to avoid last minute cost changes its very important to know what extra costs you might be subjected to. In this article we will help you Understand the Top 5 Uganda Car Rental Hidden Costs and how to Avoid them.
Uganda is a bevy of tourists with more than 1,262,734 tourists arriving in a year. Without a proper bus and rail system, the most convenient way for tourists to travel has emerged as private car rental. The car rental industry has taken two shapes with others taking self drive car rental while others offering car rent with a driver. Some companies even offer both. With several clients booking online there has been no shortage of unsatisfied clients. In this article we look at those who were shocked by a change in their charge particularly looking at what hidden costs you should look out for.
1. The Insurance quagmire
One of the first things you should be sure before you rent a car from any company is its insurance. Things do happen and damage or accident might occur. You need to be 100% aware of what liabilities you stand in case of damage or accident! At Uganda Car Hire when you rent a car with a driver you have no liability at all unless you intentionally burnt the car hahahahahaha. However for self drive car rental you must always study the car rental agreement!
Many car rental companies state that their cars are insured but often times its insured to the minimum possible. A car insured to third party only caters for damage to other road users not to the car you are renting. In case of an accident you would bear the full cost of repair!
The other thing you need to be aware of is the exclusions even when the car is comprehensively insured. For example, most car rental companies exclude tyre cuts, engine knocks and single motor accidents from their insurance. Be sure how protected you are before you get on the steering wheel!
How to Avoid This
In order to avoid insurance related extra charges, its important that you expressly ask about the insurance cover and what it entails. Be sure to be as detailed as you can possibly be. Before you sign the rental agreement, always read the section that relates to insurance BUT you must also read the one that talks about exclusions. Be 100% sure before you drive away to avoid last minute inconveniences.
2. Relocation Fees
When you search online for say car rental in Kampala, google might show you results from a company not located in Kampala. This is because that company might have a higher reputation but its located in another city. If you book from a company outside your arrival city unless they expressly state they deliver at no cost, you will incur a relocation fee.
A company in Kampala can agree to offer car rental in Nairobi. But the company has no office in Nairobi and therefore all its fleet is in Kampala. If you book with that company it MUST charge you a relocation fee to send the car to you in Nairobi. Its very understandable on their side but might cost you some dollars!
How to avoid relocation fee
To go around this, you need to ask for the location of the company and all its offices. There is less chance a company has fleet where it has no office. If they have no office in your arrival city ask if there is any additional fee for relocating the car to your destination.
3. Late Return, Mileage and Night Use Fines
4. One way Fees and Fuel Policies
5. Exaggerated Damage Assessment Claims
Bonus: Other Forms of hidden Car Rental Costs.
The above are the most often neglected last minute price shocker for clients. But here are bonus tips on other things that might cause a last minute price changer for your car rental in Uganda.
To rent a car from us, simply call us on +256702525877. You may also email us on ask@ugandacarhire.club. We are always here to assist you.
