Car Hire Roquetas / Aguadulce - Alboran Autos

Hi AndrewLaEnvia

Just a note that reviews seem to be written by people who receive exceptional service from their providers.  By exceptional I mean exceptionally good or exceptionally bad. 

I don't know the company you mention, or whether you've explored the comparatively neutral review sites like trustpilot. 

I make it my business to speak with a human at the actual car hire office and see what reception I get. 

When I can't through to a real person in a reasonable time, or get an unsatisfactory reply, I'll avoid that company as I would expect a hard time if I'd trouble with the car.

Good luck 

Thanks and I agree with you.  I've done my usual checks and both me and my brother have spoken to someone who came across very well.  I think it's unfortunately a sign of the times that I'm struggling to trust a review of a hire car company that scores so highly, across a number of review sites, is so well priced and offers a seemingly great service.  I've paid peanuts before and it has more recently ended badly.  

I've booked with them this afternoon for 14 days in middle of August for £285 for a little run around, with pick up and drop off at the airport.  Goldcar for the same time and car spec were asking between £600-800.  Definitely seen an increase in car hire prices this past 12 months and a lack of flexibility in service.  I suppose like a lot of businesses they've struggled and need to claw back.

Once I've used in the summer I'll leave a review on here.

Best,

AH

Hi AndrewLaEnvia

If you have not already done so, you can save some money by taking out car hire excess insurance. 

It'll cost you about €45/£45 per year.

When you rent a car, as you know, the renter will hold you liable for the first €1,500 or so of any damage or loss to the car. They'd prefer to charge you up to €20 per day to bring that excess to €0.00. That's €280 on top of what you're being charged. 

With the excess insurance, you take the hit on your credit card, submit the claim form along with evidence and description of damage. It'll then be paid into your nominated bank account. 

I've only once made a claim on excess insurance and had the money in my bank account before my credit card came due. 

Good luck 

I'm also with you on this, I've never taken the car hire insurance product and always have my own annual policy.  I am currently going through my first claim and I have to say the service has been terrible and a month later I'm still non the wiser as to where my claim is.

I'd be interested to know who you use because I definitely won't be renewing with my current provider.  

Thanks

Hi AndrewLaEnvia 

I work between Ireland, France, Portugal and Spain. As you can imagine, I need rent a car from time to time. 

I took out the insurance with Blue Insurances in Blanchardstown, Dublin.  Their claims processor is Defend Insurance in Prague, Czech Republic.  

As I'm Irish, I can use any firm in the EU, and chose Blue Insurances because of its convenient location to where I was at the time. 

I'd checked the reviews beforehand  - almost all were 5/5 - and when I visited the office I found the staff in the office helpful, professional and friendly.  

I phoned Defend Insurance and got a good vibe - also I was immediately connected to an English speaker.  Defend emails a list of requirements, and once you provide them, there is no further delay. 

Maybe, you might not wait until your present policy expires, but have a look at what other firms are in the market. Ring them up, see what vibe you get. 

Avoid internet-only firms, even if they are cheaper, because no computer software can substitute for a human being at the other end of the phone line when you're in difficulty. 

Good luck!

Good advice.  Thanks again and Happy St Patrick’s day.  

Hi there,

We used Alboran Autos for the first time last week and found them to be very good so far.

We messaged them to let them know that our plane arrived early. Ines turned up pretty quick with the car outside the terminal.Paperwork was done in advance so we only had to sign a couple of papers and make the payment, all completed in 5 minutes.

Car basic but in good condition, very good for the price.

We have booked with them again for later this year.

Hi

We used Alboran in June, it’s not often that I can say a car hire firm were great - but these are. So much so that we have booked them for 5 week hire in September. EasyJet moved our time from 10.30 am landing to 20.50 (Saturday). I emailed Ines at Alboran…… her reply ? “no problem, see you around 21.00”. 
Richard 

Hi Richard57.

Consider taking a few minutes to make a claim against Easyjet for the bother and delay they have caused you. 

Unless they gave you lots of notice, and you accepted it, you are entitled to meals, phone calls and the option of changing to an earlier flight with another carrier if available. 

Applause is due to your car hire company, but you've lost a chunk of your holiday due to no fault of your own because Easyjet didn't manage their business properly. 

Far too many businesses have prioritised their shareholders and profit margins over their customers and staff. Customers are being forced to accept lower standards of service and staff are having wages and conditions cut. 

Terms and conditions for some staff are now so low that going on the dole and perhaps making some money on the side - or moving to a low cost country and working online is infinitely more attractive than a 20-hour/24/7 minimum wage contract lugging luggage for easyjet.