Europcar
Reddit take
AI summary of the Reddit excerpts below — not a quote
Europcar is generally regarded as a reliable 'big brand' alternative to smaller local rental agencies, but user sentiment is significantly impacted by reports of aggressive upselling and disputes over vehicle damage. While some travelers report smooth experiences in regions like the UK, others describe high-pressure tactics at the rental desk regarding insurance and cross-border fees.
Pros
- Widely available at major airport hubs alongside other international brands.
- Generally preferred over small local operators for perceived reliability.
- Positive rental experiences reported specifically in the UK.
- Often available with discounts through third-party booking platforms like Booking.com.
Cons
- Frequent reports of aggressive upselling for premium insurance at the rental desk.
- Disputes regarding damage claims, including charges for pre-existing scratches.
- Hidden or unexpected fees, such as cross-border charges and 'assistance' fees.
- Instances of being forced to pay for insurance even when third-party coverage is already held.
Caveats
- Users strongly advise taking detailed video and photo evidence of the car's condition before leaving the lot.
- Be cautious of signing documents stating the car is 'damage-free' before you have physically inspected the vehicle.
- Verbal assurances from desk staff regarding fee inclusions (like cross-border fees) may not match the final invoice.
Best for
- Travelers who prefer renting from established international brands at major airports.
- Renters in the UK where sentiment appears more positive.
Avoid if
- You want to avoid high-pressure sales tactics at the rental counter.
- You are not prepared to rigorously document the vehicle's condition to contest potential damage claims.
This summary uses balanced time weighting with about a 18-month half-life. The evidence is based on 16 mentions from r/travel with a median age of approximately 207 days.
Sentiment
5 positive (31%) · 2 mixed (13%) · 9 negative (56%)
Trust + time weighted score: -19% · raw score -25%
What redditors said (10 of 16)
I'd avoid Sixt, but we've been happy renting from Europcar in the UK.
Book in advance and stick to the well known desks at the airport like Europcar, Sixt, Hertz or Enterprise.
Europcar gave a good price for basic car, so I have choosen it. [...] So when the day came they told me that I was identified as us citizen, this is why price was do low. They excluded AC insurance which is mandatory in Europe. As I am not American, I have to pay additional 25 euros (for single day). Cherry on top, they charged me additional 10 euro fee for "assistance". Assistance fee for charging a fee. My God!
We'd prefer sticking to the bigger brands since we've had mixed experiences with smaller local operators.
I'm planning to rent a car this summer in Denmark with Europcar.
Sixt, Hertz, Europcar. Check on Booking.com, as they usually offer good discounts.
I've heard this is pretty common practice with Europcar. When I used them in Italy I just paid their insurance and all was good, but these days I have a credit card with good travel insurance, so I'll just use that next time.
The day after Amex rules in my favour for the chargeback for the extra insurance (£30.45) I was forced to pay for (to which the invoice said included), Europcar tries to charge my credit card £511 for damages I did not cause on the car (without calling me or sending me an email). I have to then chase to get proof of damages, where they've basically had a bunch of shady pictures made up (see the scratch below they tryed to charge me £511 for)
Europcar subsequently drops claim after I send video proof car was in the same condition after I reach out to executive relations department
My short story on why to never hire from Europcar 1. I hire a car for a single day in the UK with rental insurance included (through Carla, a third party booking website) 2. I get to hire the car at Europcar, to which I'm told I'm not allowed to take the car away unless I pay insurance (its own website says insurance: "Basic Protection (included in the rental except for US customers)" - [https://www.europcar.co.uk/en-gb/p/protection-package-details](https://www.europcar.co.uk/en-gb/p/protection-package-details) . I'm mad, but pay it on the day because I need the car quickly to get somewhere. They will absolutely not let me take the car without it, even after showing invoice showing insurance included
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