Car hire

There are only 2 companies at Almeria that I would use:

1. Avis - slightly off the airport but there is a shuttle bus. They do not block anything off the card (possibly though because I am an Avis Preferred Plus member) and they have never even checked the car when I've returned it. They just ask if we have excess insurance, which we do from insurance4carhire, but never ask to see it or try to sell their own.

2. Al Andalus Car Hire (http://alandaluscarhire.com/) - David Baxter and his family run this. They don't accept credit or debit cards so cannot block anything off a card. Very friendly and helpful service. On returning the car to Murcia last week their agents there, Seguro, did photograph the car but as there was no damage I assume this was just for the record. Their cars are possibly slightly older than those from the majors but are good and clean; we had a Dacia Stepway which was fine.

From Murcia which we also use there are again only 2 companies we would rent from:

Al Andalus - as for Almeria

Centauro - we have had good experiences with Centauro but we always use their Premium Plan which is the most expensive of their 3 plans but it means no money is blocked off the card (a practice I've always hated), it provides full insurance with no excess, an extra driver free of charge and they sometimes upgrade for no cost. The only thing they charge for is €75 for a tank of fuel. You then return the car full - there is a petrol station just down the road from them at the roundabout in Santiago de la Ribera - and they refund the money you paid within 24 hours. Highly recommended but I wouldn't use the cheaper plans.

I have never used Goldcar, Rhodium, Europcar and there does seem to be a pattern of poor reviews with them, difficulty in getting money back, pressure selling on insurance etc. Also others like Dickmanns at Alicante I wouldn't touch with a bargepole as they regularly get appalling reviews. Also, anything booked through DoYouSpain seems to end up with problems although I'm sure some have a good experience. I can only go on my experience which has always been without any problems with the 3 companies I've used.

Rob
Los Gallardos and Palomares

Thank you for this helpful information.

Hi,

Why in previous posts I have repeatedly recommended photographing each and every panel on car including windows & interior. We had a courtesy Europcar from Huelva and did the above. When we left at Mojacar the assistant started an inspection but as, panel by panel we displayed our photos, this rapidly ceased. We then filled on a Complaint form as the car had not been totally filled.with fuel, craftily parked on hill, and after wrangling & asking for the Complaint Book, received a token refund. Again we had photographed the fuel gauge with the vehicle on the flat.

Gratefully don't need to use hire vehicles,.this was Insurance post accident.

Best Wishes,

Bob and Sandra

Mojacar Playa and Puerto Lumbreras

Good advice Bob as it covers your back - I've have seen scams worked here in the UK when the hire Co knew our company had full waiver cover, they targeted my staff with silly little things and presumably charged it to the insurance knowing it was no skin off our noses. They tried it on with me one day saying the alloys were scratched by me on a one day hire, however, when I pointed out there was oxidation on the scuffs they backed down.

Thanks for the info I have already been ripped off by goldcar so now avoid them ...cheers Sid French

Having being scammed by Dickmans a couple of years ago, the only company that I now use is Centaura in Alicante Airport.

I use my own annual insurance covering the excess insurance and make sure that I go over the car with a fine tooth comb when I collect it. And if in doubt I video plus photograph the car. Never had any problems with Centauro

Richard