The fair fuel policy is an important part of a car rental agreement, as it outlines how much fuel should be in your vehicle when you collect it and how much fuel should be in the car when you return it.
Types of fuel policies
The full-to-full policy is usually the best value for money. The car will have a full tank when you pick it up and you will need to return it the same way. There are no additional charges, which makes it a good option for longer trips with high mileage.
Pre-purchase full-to-empty policies come at a premium price. While you will pay more for your fuel upfront, you won’t need to worry about refuelling before returning the vehicle. This option is good if you want convenience and don’t mind the cost.
The pre-purchase refund scheme will let you buy a full tank when you pick up the car and you will get a refund for fuel you don’t use. This works well if you are unsure about refuelling before your departure or if you don’t expect to use a full tank.
If you need car hire excess insurance, companies such as Moneymaxim provide quotes for care hire excess insurance.
There is also a pre-purchase partial refund policy that is good for convenience and not knowing how far you will be driving. You will receive some money back for fuel you don’t use, which can be a middle-ground solution. A free tank policy can be a good idea if you are likely to use all the fuel provided, especially if it is included as part of the rental package. Always ensure you understand all the options before you hire a car
Important considerations
If you select a policy that has no refund for unused fuel, it is wise to use as much as possible. Always record how much fuel the car has when you pick it up, take a photograph, and understand what the charges are if you return the car with an incorrect fuel level.