Whether you are moving to the country permanently, have a gig working on an industrial site or are simply looking for a flexible vehicle that gives you the freedom to do whatever you want, four wheel drive hire is a great option that gets you the car you want without the investment into what are often costly vehicles. However, with so many options out there it can be hard to know what to chose, and once you have narrowed that down, finding a reliable company which can offer you the long term security you need without costing an arm and a leg.
There are several differences between short term and long term car hire, especially if the vehicle is likely to be used off-road, or exposed to rougher conditions than would typically be found in an urban environment. While there are lots of companies who offer long-term 4WD hire, they are not all created equal. You should always read the terms and conditions carefully, being sure to look out for common traps and tricks that mean the vehicle could end up costing you a lot more than you planned. Here are three common things to look out for.
Limited kilometres
It is vitally important that for long-term car hires you make sure that the leasing agreement does not limit how far you can drive the car. Usually, this will be in place to stop people using the car for unintended purposes or taking it into other states and territories, but for a long-term hire you need to make sure you have the freedom to use the car as you would normally. If there are limits in place, you should calculate how far you typically drive in a month and make sure you would be able to stay within the limit.
No off road insurance
While your own driving insurance will cover you for some things, you should check with the leasing company that they have specific insurance for off road activities. You do not want to hire a vehicle designed for off road and then find out that you cannot use it to its full potential. Some people may just want a 4WD hire car for the aesthetic and status value, in which case you should be fine, but if you are looking for anything more, you should always double check the small print.
Hidden fees
You do not want to drop the car back 6 months later and suddenly get a bill for unexpected costs and fees. Always be sure to ask up front what additional fees they have, make sure they are written down for evidence later, and pay in advance if possible. This will ensure that you are able to dispute fees at a later date, and you have evidence of what they said to you at the beginning of your hire.
I'm Norman and I live in Australia. I am car crazy. I have always loved cars so as soon as I could learn to drive, I took some lessons and got my licence. I thought that learning how to drive would be the most important part of owning a car. While knowing how to control the machine is useful, it is also vital that car owners understand how to maintain and modify their auto. I am not an auto mechanic or any other kind of industry professional, so I decided to spend as much time as I could hanging around in my local repair shop and auto dealership so I could learn the tricks of the trade. I hope you like my blog which details all of my top tips.