Car hire Tasmania. Which company?

[jkbaus]

Going to Tasmania in Feb for 9 days.
Flying into Launceston and out of Hobart.

I have never hired a car before so I am wondering if anyone can give me ant tips & recommendation of which company to hire from.

Just looking for a medium size car.
A quick search shows Europcar a fair bit cheaper than others.

 

[RooFlyer]

I've never hired a car in Tas (I live here ). Avis, Hertz, Europcar ... I'd look at the majors like these, then go on price (assuming all are unlimited kms). Smaller or distinctly cheaper operators may not have a presence at the actual airport, meaning you have to be picked up and taken to a lot off the airport precinct. Not so much a big deal on pick-up, but inconvenient and takes time when you drop-off and have a plane to catch.

Be aware that car fleets have been significantly sold off this year, so supply is less than usual. Don't wait too long to book..

If you have never hired a car before:

* You may not get the car class you booked - if you book a medium car and get a large(r) one, that may suit but parking trickier and more fuel. Shouldn't be charged more if they give you a bigger car.

* Look very carefully at the condition of the car before signing for it - dents, scratches, windscreen chips. Note them on the paper provided and insist that any are recorded and *signed* by the car agent. Sometimes these days its a bit 'remote control' and you may have to find the guy to get the acknowledgement. Check for the spare and that all the tools are in the boot.

* Check to see if you are insured if you go off bitumen roads. There are a lot of scenic places in Tas where you go onto the dirt

* Understand the insurance options and choose an excess that works for you. Be aware that if there is an accident involving damage, they will keep your excess even if its demonstrably not your fault, until their insurance sorts it out.

Lastly, check driving times. Tas highways tend to be winding with fewer overtaking areas than you may be used to, so journey times are longer than may look on maps.

 

[jkbaus]

Thanks for your reply, much appreciated.
Really informative and helpful.
Had not even thought about the off bitumen scenario.

 

[TomVexille]

I've hired from Thrifty, Budget and Avis at LST, HBA and DPO and no issues with any of them

 

[Steady]

My thoughts
If you have an AMEX - check to see if there are any statement credits available as that may make one company cheaper.
Some CC's have complementary hire car insurance - if going that way have a good read of the conditions to ensure it covers domestic hire and gravel roads etc.
There is lots of wild life on Tassie roads from dusk to dawn if you are out of the metro areas, so ensure insurance cover level includes single vehicle accidents (both hitting, and swerving to miss can do damage)

Fill up the fuel before returning the car - they charge a lot more per litre if they get have to.

 

[Brissy1]

To me, the overwhelmingly most important issue is when you return the car. Even mainstream rental companies have systematically defrauded customers in falsely claiming damage or excessive repair costs. So I almost always use Avis and have never had any issues with them. A friend hired from Europecar in Tassie and months later had several hundred$ taken off his cr card for supposed dint in a door

 

[Denali]

Ive used Thrifty in the past and was happy with them. Brand new car, no extra charges for fake damage ect but do inspect/take photos as per usual. But I would pick also on price and better car, I prefer a mid SUV and hate compact/small cars.

 

[Cossie]

If you are an auto club member, NRMA and the like, you should get a discount with Thrifty.

Also be aware that most rental companies say you may not take the car to Bruny Island unless you ask first.

 

[kamchatsky]

I've used Thrifty, Avis, Europcar and Hertz at HBA without any issues in the past.

I would take the video of the car when you pick up from the car hire company, as proof of existing damages prior to driving off.

If you are an auto club member, NRMA and the like, you should get a discount with Thrifty.

Also be aware that most rental companies say you may not take the car to Bruny Island unless you ask first.

I cannot remember being told cannot drive at Bruny Island at all. I did go there once 3 years ago with hired car, and it is all in bitumen road.

 

[Cossie]

I've always believed that you can't take a rental car offshore unless permission is gained first. However of course, things change and YMMV.

Can I take my rental car on a ferry in Australia?

No. If a rental vehicle is taken on a ferry for travel over bodies of water, the vehicle will be void of insurance during the ferry trip and while being loaded on and off the ferry. Purchased excess reduction products will also be voided. Islands...

support.vroomvroomvroom.com

"For travel to Bruny Island Avis and Budget only permit travel on the ferry. Islands such as Bruny Island are considered to be "full responsibility"bookings, meaning that you have to pay in full for all damage incurred - you just need to advise the car rental staff at Pickup of your intention to travel to Bruny Island and that information is noted on the Rental Agreement. These exceptions are all subject to change, and all rentals are subject to local conditions."

Rental cars and ferry travel

In some cases, you may not be permitted to take your rental car on a ferry in certain locations. Find information on such restrictions here.

www.vroomvroomvroom.com.au

"Getting to Bruny Island with a Rental Car
If you frequently rent cars, you will know that taking your vehicle on a ferry is generally not permitted. However, at Bruny Island there are some exceptions. Avis and Budget will allow their vehicles on the ferry in some cases. It is a good idea to check with the individual depot whether they allow ferry-travel, as this can be unique per depot. You will need to advise the counter staff when you pick up your rental car that you intend on taking it to Bruny Island."

 

[Steady]

I've used Thrifty, Avis, Europcar and Hertz at HBA without any issues in the past.

I would take the video of the car when you pick up from the car hire company, as proof of existing damages prior to driving off.


I cannot remember being told cannot drive at Bruny Island at all. I did go there once 3 years ago with hired car, and it is all in bitumen road.

I was there about 3 months ago and traversed a few gravel roads - however I am sure these could be avoided by driving the long way and not taking short cuts

 

[RooFlyer]

Also be aware that most rental companies say you may not take the car to Bruny Island unless you ask first.

I think that’s because of the inordinate number of rental write-offs they had, driven by international drivers from our north, who had never driven on a gravel road before.

 

[TheRealTMA]

...

"For travel to Bruny Island Avis and Budget only permit travel on the ferry.

Um, maybe one for the Tasmanians. How do you get a car to Bruny island NOT on the ferry?

 

[VPS]

When I went to Bruny I just had to fill out an extra form that allowed me to take it over there. Fairly simple.

Also - look at Vroom Vroom for comparisons

 

[jkbaus]

Thanks everybody for great info

 

[cityloop]

ALWAYS take pictures and video of all angles of the hire car at pickup and drop-off. Europcar have tried to claim damages at HBA and OOL. Luckily I had photo proof and both claims from them were dropped. I now also do this for AirBNB's too just in case.

 

[pomona]

Have hired several times from LST & HBA & always used Avis (as an old fogey still remember the ad campaign "we try harder") ! Never had any issues & can pick up some FF points.
Few comments;
* cheaper to pick up downtown rather than airport if convenient, mind you the taxi cost from HBA downtown is eye watering.
* re insurance, you should be able to avoid this via your CC or RACQ etc, but, as always read the PDS !!
* ask about the fuel filler/reverse gear selection in case you are not familiar with the model, & nowadays, how do I get in the car ??
* photograph all round before leaving making sure there is a time/date stamp on the camera.
* last time we visited Bruny the road to the lighthouse was just a muddy track, had to find a car wash when back on the "mainland".
* watch out parking with some Hyundai models as the front scuttle can be very low.
* good petrol station close to the airport for filling up. Don't forget to lunch close to HBA at Barilla Bay oysters before departure & pick up some unshucked for home . Bonne Appetit !

 

[bPeteb]

One thing to also consider is insurance. Our ANZ black card includes hire car excess. Another option is rental car excess insurance. We took out an RACQ policy for this when we hired for two weeks in far north Queensland. $47 for the full two weeks compared to 14 x $25 with the car hire company.

I'm also not a Europcar fan. Had an issue with them claiming a car wasn't returned full. Quite a bit of back and forth as what they dropped on our credit card was ridiculous. I had a receipt with a time minutes before it was returned and they eventually reversed the charge. . As soon as you get in the car take a picture of the instrument panel including fuel gauge and then again as you return the car.

 

[jakeseven7]

ALWAYS take pictures and video of all angles of the hire car at pickup and drop-off. Europcar have tried to claim damages at HBA and OOL. Luckily I had photo proof and both claims from them were dropped. I now also do this for AirBNB's too just in case.

Europcar have a really bad rep for ripping people on 'damages' I've heard this quite a lot recently....

 

[RooFlyer]

* cheaper to pick up downtown rather than airport if convenient, mind you the taxi cost from HBA downtown is eye watering.

Good tip. Uber does operate from HBA: rental car opening hours in town probably only 9-5.