Car Rental Insurance Explained

Posted on May 25, 2023September 13, 2023 by Alex Kay

Further to our previous post about Car Rental Insurance (see https://lowcostcarrentals.com.au/safety-needs/rental-cars-insurance-driver-overseas-licence/), we would like to provide some of the Low Cost Car Rentals insurance costs and excess explained.

When you hire a car in Sydney from Low Cost Car Rentals, the insurance excess will be covered by default, but with the default Insurance option, if you have an accident in our rental car and you are at fault, your insurance excess will be $2750.00.

If the accident is not your fault and then there is no dispute in liability that means if the other party agrees they are at fault (not orally, but something in written) then we will not charge you any money if you can provide the other party details. Sometimes, your travel Insurance or Credit cards would cover this Insurance Excess amount for your car rental in Sydney. But you will probably need to check with your credit card provider prior to picking up your rental car in Sydney from Low Cost Car Rentals.

But you do have an option to pay an additional $18.00 per day on top of the rental to reduce the excess down to $500.00 which is completely up to you.

Please note that we will charge you the insurance excess $2750.00 only if you have an accident and if you are at fault. We will not charge you any excess amount at the time of picking your rental car in Sydney.

Also note that, there is an additional fee $1500.00 applies on top of the above-mentioned insurance charges, if it is a single vehicle accident. For the drivers between the ages of 21-24 and above 70 years of age and for the provisional drivers’ license holder’s an additional excess fee of $750 applies on top of all the above-mentioned costs.

No insurance will be covered for overhead and under carriage damages of the rental cars. Insurance excess is payable in total immediately irrespective of the cause/ nature of the accident.

Still have questions? Call Low Cost Car Rentals office on 02 8056 6535 or email reservations@lowcostcarrentals.com.au and one of our friendly team members will be able to assist you further.

Your safety is our priority

Posted on March 13, 2018September 4, 2021 by Tanya Smith

Here, at Low Cost Car Rentals, we value our customers and their safety.

Safety on the roads starts with choosing the right car to hire. Here, at Low Cost Car Rentals, we are always ready to help and answer any questions you have. We want to make sure your car rental period is about you, your family and your destination, and worry free when it comes to the hired vehicle.

Before we give you the vehicle:

We regularly service our vehicles for hire. We use only trusted mechanics and electricians to inspect the vehicles. Car servicing is done according to the best practices and sometimes even earlier when scheduled. For example, if we know some customer will hire the car for long period of time or paying for “unlimited kilometres” package, we will inspect and service the vehicle one extra time.
When our cars are not on rent, they always parked securely under ground. Unlike most of the car rentals where the vehicles are parked outside, exposed to the sun, heat and rain.

When you are picking up the car:

Each car has unique characteristics – the indicators and hand brakes can be positioned in different locations. It is especially tricky when it comes to bigger cars like people movers. When you are picking up a vehicle from Low Cost Car Rentals, our trained staff will let you know about the car specifics if any. For example, 8-seater Kia Carnival has 2 different places to put the hand brake on (the very left pedal under your feet) and release from the hand brake (a little handle under the steering wheel on the left). Most of the people movers from Toyota have it all in one place – under your feet. Cars like 7-seater Holden Captiva have it positioned in the most usual location, under your left arm, next to the gears stick. Our Car Rentals staff will never push you to drive away as soon as possible. They will remind you to get familiar and comfortable with the rental car first. Adjust the seatbelts and mirrors, get familiar with all the pedals and nobs, inspect the car stereo and air conditioning operation controls.

When the car is on rent:

Every single car rent includes a complimentary 24/7 road-side assistance. Tyre puncture, windscreen chip or flat battery can happen to the best of us. We can’t predict where and when that happens. What we can do, is to make sure someone is 30-60 minutes away from where you are and ready to help you out. And yes, once again, it is absolutely free with each car rental. You just need to make sure you obey the basic vehicle usage rules. You can find it on the Terms and Conditions page of your rental agreement.

When you are dropping the car back to us:

When the hired vehicle comes back from the rental, we ask our customers for the feedback. Simple feedback in case the customer noticed some unusual smell, sound or vehicle shaking can ensure we take actions before we give the vehicle to the next customer. Unfortunately some customers are afraid to tell as they think they would be charged for damaging the hire vehicle. We ensure you, those questions asked only for the sake of safety of the next customer.

Your safety is our main priority. Please be safe on the roads, drive carefully and obey the road rules.

In case you have any concern, please make sure you call one of our staff members and discuss it.

Australia: Driver’s Licence Requirements for Car Rentals

Posted on February 25, 2018March 18, 2018 by Tanya Smith

If you are a temporary overseas visiting driver and you hold a current overseas driver licence you do not have to get an Australian state driver’s licence. You can drive on your current overseas licence as long as:

You remain a visitor.
Your overseas licence remains current.
You have not been disqualified from driving.
You have not had your licence suspended or cancelled or your visiting driver privileges withdrawn.

Temporary overseas visiting drivers include:

Tourists.
Business people on limited-duration visits.
People studying or working temporarily (eg working visa holders).

Your licence must be written in English or, if the licence is not in English, you must also carry an English translation or an International Driving Permit (IDP) with your licence when driving.

You must carry your current overseas licence, IDP or translation with you while driving.

You do require to have a photo ID licence if you want to rent a car from Low Cost Car Rentals. If your foreign licence does not have a photo ID, you should get an IDP before travelling to Australia if you intend to rent a car.

All states require Australians from other states to get a new state licence after three month’s residence (with some specific exceptions). Some states also require New Zealanders to get a state drivers licence after they have been in Australia for three months.

Specific State Requirements

In Australia, laws and driving regulations differ from state to state. Some states require you to carry an International Licence with your current foreign licence. Other states request you carry your current foreign driver’s licence together with a formal translation of your licence into English.

Select the state or territory you will be driving in to find out what the laws are for driving with an overseas licence.

Cheaper Holidays without compromising on Car Rentals

Posted on August 13, 2017March 18, 2018 by Tanya Smith

They are plenty of tips to save on car rentals. However saving on each item in your itinerary will not make your holidays better, it will only make it cheaper. The best way to save on holidays is to not be caught in stereotyping.

Obviously the best time to visit Sydney is in summer. It comes with Christmas on the Beach, Santa Clauses in shorts and plenty of Boat Parties and Dinner cruises in the Harbour. This also comes with the price.

Guess what, the Sydney icons such Harbour Bridge, Opera House and Anzac Bridge will not run away as the temperature drops. Did you know that you can save up to 44% on your hotel rentals and up to 61% on the flights by simply visiting Sydney in the less busy time?

Sydney’s beautiful beaches remain just as popular as ever, for coastal walks, whale watching, dining and even swimming — with many outdoor pools heated through the winter months.

And of course, there are boundless activities to be found indoors too, in pubs, wineries and cultural institutions.

Here’s our top 5 best activities to enjoy in Sydney this winter holidays.

1. Climb to the top of the world

A quintessential Sydney experience for tourists and locals alike, the Sydney Harbour BridgeClimb is open for winter ascents on Sundays. The air may be crisp but it’s also particularly clear, making those sunsets spectacular. BridgeClimb provides winter woollies to warm those muscles as you climb to one of the best views in the world.

Harbour Bridge view from Botanical Gardens

Botanical Gardens in Winter

2. Swim outdoors

There’s no need to avoid Sydney’s crystal blue waters and stunning coastal views just because it’s winter. Some of the best swimming pools in Sydney heat their lanes throughout the colder months. Enjoy that stunning view of the Harbour Bridge while swimming laps at North Sydney Pool, next door to the iconic Luna Park. The pool at Prince Alfred Park, next to Central Station, is also heated and has water temperatures set to a comfortable 26C.

3. Take a coastal walk

Get those legs moving and heat back in the body doing the Manly to Spit walk or the Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk. Whether you’re a history buff, beach lover, or simply love nature, there’s something for everyone along the way. From Manly Wharf, the coastal trail winds past Dobroyd Head, one of the walk’s most scenic locations, and onto the military barracks at Bradleys Head.

Manly Beach in Winter

4. Watch some whales

May to November is whale-watching season when thousands of humpback whales migrate along the coast of NSW to give birth in the warm waters off Queensland. The best places to spot them are from North Head Lookout at Manly and Cape Solander in the Kurnell section of Kamay Botany Bay National Park. For a view from the water, plenty of cruise companies offer whale watching tours. So grab your binoculars, sit back, relax and enjoy nature’s best show.

Whale watching in Sydney Waters

5. Warm up with winter reds

When it’s very cold outside, sometimes there’s nothing better to do than sit indoors with a warming glass of wine. Take a tour with a winemaker to Hunter Valley or Mudgee, sample a cheese plate at the cellar door, or impress your friends after taking a food and wine pairing class.

What is next?

If you saved too much on your holidays and had enough of relaxing Sydney, may be it is time to go skiing or snowboarding in the busy Sydney areas. Kosciuszko National Park is only 500 km drive from Sydney. You will be transferred from low +20 Celsius to minus something in Perisher or Thredbo. A day of the winter fun can cost as little as $80 pp.

The list of things to do goes on. It is perfect season for hiking. It is not too cold to go camping. Have I mentioned the amount of food and drink festivals? Here it goes and it is not complete:

Parramatta Winterlight.
Bondi Winter Magic.
Bathurst Winter Festival.
Snow Time in the Garden, Hunter Valley.
Winter Magic Festival, Blue Mountains.
Skating At Cathedral Square.
Winterfest Sydney Medieval Fair.

The Grounds in Alexandria

Be aware, you might fell in love with Winter Sydney and will want to visit it again… in winter 🙂

To get the best Car Rentals Deal while you are in Sydney please call Low Cost Car Rentals.

What to do after a crash

Posted on August 6, 2017March 18, 2018 by Tanya Smith

Rental cars are no different to the rest of the vehicles. The accidents happen.

First, make sure you have the most suitable insurance cover for your rental vehicle. However If you do not follow simple instructions in case of the crash, the insurance company may reject the claim and you will end paying the repairs out of your own pocket.

A step by step guide

Here is the procedure to follow in the case of a crash. Please note, this information is valid as of today 4 August 2017 and can be used for indicative purposes only. Please seek for a legal advice in case of disputes or further assistance.

Step 1

Stop! Don’t keep driving. If possible, use your indicator lights, hazard lights or headlights to warn other drivers and light up the scene if it is dark.

Help anyone who has been hurt. Call an ambulance if there are serious injuries.

Do not move anyone who’s been injured unless they are in immediate danger or need first aid. If someone has to be moved (if they are in danger), support broken limbs and be careful not to twist their back or neck.

For someone wearing a helmet, lift the visor but don’t remove it unless the person is vomiting or has stopped breathing. When removing a helmet, have one person support the head and neck, while another gently lifts the helmet off from the back.

Step 2

Call the police if anyone is killed or hurt, or if the other driver fails to stop or swap details. If the other driver seems like they might be drunk or high, or there is considerable damage to things other than cars, you also have to call the police. If nobody is injured and everyone involved has exchanged their details, you can arrange your own tow and leave the area, then report the crash later to the Police Assistance Line on 131 444.

Step 3

Once you have made sure everyone is okay, it is time to swap details. Both drivers will need:

Date, time and location of the crash
The other driver’s details, including: full name and address
The other car’s rego number, make and model
The car owner’s full name, address and contact numbers (if the driver is not the owner).

If possible:

Contact details and the name of a willing witness
The name of the police officer, their police station and contact details (if the police attend the crash)
The name of the car owner’s insurance company, type of policy and policy number.

Being in a crash is always stressful, even if it is minor. To make sure you remember what details to get from the other driver, it is a good idea to leave a copy of the above list in your glovebox.

Step 4

If your car needs to be towed, take all of your personal belongings out of the car and wave goodbye. Always keep the contact details of the rental company handy so you can quickly contact them and organise a replacement vehicle. The rental company would help you to tow the vehicle away or get it delivered to the mechanic. It all depends whether the vehicle is still drivable or not.

Step 5

Call your rental company as soon as you can. They need to make a claim with the insurance company. Then keep in touch with the rental agency to organise the car replacement or repairs.

Important: Crashes are very stressful for everyone. The people involved will be pretty shaken up, so it is important that you keep calm and try not to get emotional. Even if the other driver is aggressive – do not rev them up or the situation could get out of hand very quickly.

Guide for people injured in a motor vehicle accident

A greenslip is a legal requirement for all motor vehicles registered in NSW, except trailers.

Greenslip is a generic term for Compulsory Third Party (CTP) Insurance (also referred to as CTP Greenslips, green slips, greenslip insurance, CTP and CTP Insurance).

A greenslip contains of two schemes. The Third-party Insurance scheme, regulated by the Motor Accidents Compensation Act 1999 and the Lifetime Care and Support scheme, regulated by the Motor Accidents (Lifetime Care and Support) Act 2006.

If you are a person injured (but not at fault) in a motor vehicle accident, you can make a claim for a range of benefits including past and future medical treatment and rehabilitation costs, care costs and economic losses, as well as payments for pain and suffering (in some circumstances). Click here for more details.

SIRA is an organisation which is responsible for regulating workers compensation insurance, motor accidents compulsory third party (CTP) insurance and home building compensation insurance, in NSW.

If you are a person injured (and at fault), your Green Slip may provide limited cover, up to first $5000 of treatment costs and lost income incurred in the first six months after an accident. Check more on the official SIRA site.

References

The NSW Police brochure What to do after a car crash – available in ten different languages – provides a step-by-step guide for what to do in the event of a crash and specifies which details are necessary to record in the event of an accident. NSW Police recommend printing the brochure and keeping a copy in your carⁱⁱ. Along with the brochure, you can also download the Emergency+ app for iPhone and Android smartphones. The app uses your phone’s GPS to provide emergency service operators with your location details immediately^iv,v.

Links

ⁱNSW Police Force 2015, Crash Reporting FAQs, viewed 9 January 2015,
http://www.police.nsw.gov.au/community_issues/road_safety/crash_reporting_faqs

ⁱⁱNSW Police Force 2015, Road Safety, viewed 9 January 2015,
http://www.police.nsw.gov.au/community_issues/road_safety

ⁱⁱⁱInsurance Council of Australia 2014, NSW accident reporting rules change tomorrow – but insurers should still be notified, viewed 3 December 2014,
http://www.insurancecouncil.com.au/assets/media_release/2014/october2014/141014%20NSW%20consumer%20alert%20-%20accident%20reporting%20rules%20are%20changing%20but%20insurers%20should%20be%20notified.pdf

^ivFire & Rescue NSW 2014, Emergency+, Google Play Store, viewed 3 December 2014,
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.threesixtyentertainment.nesn&hl=en

^vFire Rescue New South Wales 2014, Emergency +, viewed 3 December 2014,
https://itunes.apple.com/au/app/emergency-+/id691814685?mt=8

Cheap car rentals – 5 myths busted

Posted on June 9, 2017March 18, 2018 by Tanya Smith

1. Car rental near airport is very expensive.

It is true, the space within the airport car park and a kiosk right next to the arrivals are costly. So companies who you normally see there, would have higher rates than normal car rentals. They need to cover up for all the expenses.

But it does not mean that you should avoid all the near-airport car rentals altogether.

Usually the airports are located in non prestige suburbs or in industrial zones. An office only a kilometre away from the arrival gate is much cheaper. There must be some car hire agencies who are located there.

For instance, one of the Low Cost Car Rentals depots is located only 2.7km away from the Sydney Domestic and 3.2km from International airports.

We offer free airport pick-up and drop-off on all long term rentals (7+ days). And it is as cheap as 30 dollars both ways for short term hires.

In reality, we love Sydney visitors so much, we often offer free unlimited kms package and GPS on long term rentals. All of those are worth more than 25 dollars per day.

I personally believe, the car rental agencies near airports are the most professional ones. They have to deal with a lot of customers from overseas therefore their standards are much higher.

2. Shared cars schema is cheaper than usual car rental companies.

There was a lot of excitement when we first saw our neighbours offering their cars for rent for cheap prices.

It was good at first until those car owners faced first troubles. Cars often were left in prohibited areas. Parking fines, tolls notices, light scratches and dirty interior that nobody will ever pay for.

It all led to the new restrictions. You must be an approved member to rent the car. Usually it involves an annual fee regardless of whether you would even need a car that year.

The price might still look cheap, however you will understand later that it is not final. You will have to pay each kilometre you travel. You will need to have your own GPS or baby seats if you need them.

To conclude, the shared car can be cheaper than a cab if you just need to travel short distance then back. Nothing else seem to be worth it.

3.GPS is too expensive, i will use my phone.

Firstly, lets assume you have the phone holder to secure your phone in the car. So now you are able to follow the directions without the need to juggle the phone in your or your passenger hands.

Secondly, we would assume, you have unlimited mobile data and all-around country mobile coverage.

I already doubt you have all the above.

Now, how about the reception? Do you have it while at the car park in the shopping centre? How often it is getting lost in the tunnels and how long it takes for the signal to recover?

You still think 5 dollars a day or free GPS on long term rentals is not an option?

4. I can get away with not registering the additional driver.

This is a very dangerous myth. It is not up to the car rentals companies to decide who is guilty in the accident. It is not them who is charging you when you have an incident.

Touch wood, if anything happens and it is the additional drivers fault. Just because they were not registered as the driver of the vehicle, the insurance company would decline the claim. You will end up loosing the excess and would have to pay for both car repairs and any hospital expenses anyone incurred due to the crash.

The insurance company used by Low Cost Car Rentals only charges a one-off fee to register the driver. It only costs 11 dollars for the whole rental period. Touch wood, but it is a piece of mind.

5. Companies use foreign language for rental agreements.

I can’t say for all companies, but Low Cost Car Rentals contract is written in English and you do not require any form of translation.

If you really unsure about anything in there, you are free to ask questions. Our staff is also fluent in English and therefore easy to communicate with.

Advantages of people mover rentals

Posted on May 21, 2017March 18, 2018 by Alex Kay

When it comes to moving people around comfortably, there is nothing out there that beats a comfortable 8 seater. Below are some of the reasons why you need to rent a People mover:

1. Two or more families or friends can travel together in a 8 seater

Long drive with the people you like is one of the greatest memories one can have. Whether you are talking sports, or Strategy or just playing carpool Karaoke, a people mover will provide you with the greatest memories you will have on the Road.

2. Comfort

With a lot of legroom and Luggage space, our people movers will make sure you will be having a great drive with your loved ones. With the cruise control, once you hit the highway, you can set the speed, stretch your legs, and relax while you drive.

3. Sharing the drive

You can add an additional driver on your rental policy and share the driving with you peers, so you won’t get tired and cause any accidents. Did you know, Fatigue whilst driving is one of the major causes of accidents on Australian roads!

4. Cost per Person

For some periods and shorter trips, an 8 seater would cost you less than $8 AUD per person a day. That will be a lot cheaper than most of the public transfer fares we pay these days to get from A to B.

5. What kind of people movers you have on Hire?

We have a range of People movers on our fleet. People movers can be classified in to 2 categories.

7 seater 4WD’s
8 seaters such as Toyota Tarago’s, Kia Carnivals, Hyndai Imax’s etc., which are not 4WD’s.

We do rent Toyota Tarago’s, Kia Carnivals and 4WD’s such Toyota Klugers. Each people mover vehicle has its own advantages and disadvantages.

6. Which people mover would suite my needs?

If you a 4WD enthusiast with less people or you travelling with Kids, then the Toyota Kluger would suit your needs. The last 2 out of 7 seats would be a little smaller for a full sized adult. Bear in mind a 4WD would cost you more in fuel.

However, if you have more Adults to travel with you and a lot of Luggage the Toyota Tarago or a Kia Carnival would be the better fit for you.

However, at the end of the day, you are the one planning this great Holiday / Adventure and your preference will take the most priority. If you still have more questions, please give us a ring a (02) 8056 6535 and explain your needs and one of our staff member will be more than happy to assist you.

Snow season – Winter car rentals

Posted on May 12, 2017March 18, 2018 by Tanya Smith

With the winter holidays knocking at the door, many people would be busy planning their road trips with friends and family. Driving during winter, especially through snow-clad roads can be fun but dangerous as well. If you have any such plans make sure an experienced driver drives you through. You may have heard people talking about the safety measures people should take while driving on snow-clad roads; but not all of them are right. Some are true, while some are people’s own perceptions.

People often say a four-wheel drive is the best when driving during the winter, but it is only true if the roads are heavily snow-clad; however, investing in a four-wheel drive would be a good option keeping the safety aspect in mind. So what are the other things you need to consider if you are planning to go on a long drive this winter? Here are some factors that you should consider:

The Right Kind of Tires

In some countries, it is a must to have snow tires; while in Australia you can do with an all-weather treads. However it is mandatory to have the snow chains on when driving a non-AWD vehicle. You need to choose depending upon your destination. If you choose a smaller car and you plan to go Snowy Mountains, we would highly recommend you to rent some snow chains as well. You can rent the snow chains at the Snow Mountains too, thus will incur some delays in your trip while you could of been already enjoying the trip without interruptions. It is also getting slightly more expensive as you approach the snow areas. So it is recommended that you have a talk with the car rental agency about the rates for all the extras you need, in case you need to hire a car with snow chains.

Hiring a 4WD makes things easier. A 4×4 cars are not required to fit the chains in Australian conditions.

Check the Car Condition Thoroughly

This is very important, since a breakdown in the middle of a snow-clad road can give you a tough time. Moreover, driving on snow is very dangerous, so a car that is not in its best condition can lead to severe or fatal accidents. Therefore before hiring a care, here are the things you must check:

Whether the head and back lights work properly
Whether the wipers are in good working condition
The tire conditions
The weather conditions of the destination you are heading towards
The 24×7 road side assistance across all the areas you are travelling to

Low Cost Car Rentals offers NRMA services included in each car hire. Check some information from them too: Safer driving in snow.

It is also recommended that you start with a full tank to ensure the car does not stop in the middle of the road.

The Right Kind of Car

Choosing the right kind of car is very important to ensure the safety of your co-passengers. For instance, a car with manual transmission is best for snow covered roads. Again a four-wheel drive is best for mountainous terrain, while if you are driving on a plain road then choosing a car with anti-lock braking system would be the best.

Check more tips in here Snow driving.

Don’t Forget the Extras

Even though travellers are recommended to bring their own extras, they might require hiring some from the car rental agency during the winter. These include ice scrapers, warm driving gloves, snow chains, roof racks, etc. You can bring them along if you already have them.

We also recommend you to check the tips and tricks posted on different forums by other travellers who are more familiar with the area you are traveling to. For those who are planning to go to Kosciuszko National Park in NSW we recommend to check this link Safety tips in Kosciuszko National Park.

Driving during winter can be exciting and fun but only if you have taken the necessary safety measures. Talk to your car rental agency and get going. Here at Low Cost Car Rentals we will have all the arrangements to make your journey safe and enjoyable.

People movers hire for large families: 7- and 8- seaters

Posted on April 16, 2017March 18, 2018 by Tanya Smith

The snow season is coming, so is the high demand for the people movers. We are always looking after our clients and want them hire the best suited car. Besides it will save them some money too.

There are now so many 7 seaters available. In this article we will focus on the mini vans only and I promise to put together another post on SUVs that suit larger families.

VW MULTIVAN

Pros: Can fit up to 7 people and would be very roomy inside. The car offers European safety, lots of power, diesel and good boot space. It is great for big kids and adults to travel comfortably. The vehicle is very reliable and goes the distance. This car is also known as a Volkswagen Transporter before being released as Multivan.

Cons and gotchas: height can be an issue in some carparks (look for 2.1m clearance). It is 7 seats but the 2nd row would be great as a bench seat making it an 8 seater. It can come with the table as an extra but how often do you think you might use it? A lot of people told us they have never used it. We are not sure if it was just our issue, however Low Cost Car Rentals team decided to replace all of our VW with Toyotas just because of our door problems in this specific VW model.

VW CARAVELLE

Pros: Newer models come as 9 seater which suits large families nicely. It is quiet spacious inside, european safety and quality. The car is reliable and well priced among other 9 seaters offered for hire.

Cons: Height can be an issue. Longer body than the VW Multivan for parking. The boot space is not as big but there is some room inside the van for bags etc.

HYUNDAI IMAX

Pros: It is probably one of the cheapest vans for this size. Mostly this car comes as a 7 seater, however it is possible to rent an 8 seater as well. Hyundai iMax offers good sized seats in the back. You can even walk around inside. You will be amazed with the great boot space too. Some rental companies add an extra 9th seat in the first row making it a 9 seater.

Cons: doesn’t have the european safety, you can also note some heaviness in the body and doors. Therefore the cheaper price. If you’ve ever opened a VW or Mercedes van then you know what I’m talking about. Some vans come slightly smaller in size if you only have little children (with little legs). Otherwise, make sure you ask the rental company about the dimensions of the specific model they offer.

KIA CARNIVAL

Pros: well priced, 8 seats, drives like a car as not as big as other vans, easy to park, no height restrictions to worry about. The newer Carnival model looks amazing with a new shape.

Cons: Not as spacious. Although it’s an 8 seater some of the seats are smaller in the back. Check you can fit all of your car seats in and still fold down the seat to get into the back. Carnival doesn’t have the heaviness in the doors and body compared to an european van. Older models had some engine problems. So make sure the company you rent it from offers 24/7 road-side assistance. Fortunately, I overheard the manufacture has already switched to new engine so be careful renting older models or cars with a lot of mileage on it. Always ask, if the rentals include the road-side assistance as well.

TOYOTA TARAGO

Pros: One of the best and the most popular rental cars among MPV. It is built to last and they just keep going and going (we see some older ones in our fleet and we have never had any issues with it). The car can be a 7 seater but most of the companies offer the 8 seater option. This vehicle is the most reliable car among all. It has very nice and attractive body shape. You will find it easy to drive and park. You will not have any height issues compared to the bigger vans.

Cons: I could not think of any. You may pay a little extra but you will get what you paid for.

MERCEDES VALENTE, VIANO, VITO

Pros: european safety and heaviness in the doors and body, luxurious, reliable, roomy inside, great boot space, 8 seater and good full sized seats. Great for lots of kids, car seats and long legs.

Cons: Price, price, price. Luxury cars offer great comfort but you will have to pay for it.

CHRYSLER GRAND VOYAGER

Pros: roomy inside, 7 seats, reliable, luxury features. It is not as big as some of the other people movers.

Cons: Price and size. It is slightly smaller than others and will cost you some buck since it is considered a luxury car too.

HONDA ODYSSEY

Pros: Offers 7 or 8 seater options. It is not as big as some people movers so it will be easy to drive/park. Newer model has really changed and are larger.You will find some luxury features inside that will pleasantly surprise you.

Cons: Price. Also, it is not as big inside as other people movers which can be an issue with carseats.

MERCEDES SPRINTER MINIBUS

Pros: 12 seater, european build (think heavy safe doors and body) and safety features. It is reliable vehicle of a great quality, Would suit really big families and long travels.

Cons: Price – the vehicle itself isn’t cheap therefore the rental companies will have to price the hire fares accordingly. Height and size of van for shopping centres/carparks/parking can be a trouble.

TOYOTA HIACE COMMUTER

Pros: Big enough to fit the largest of families (OK maybe not the Duggars but plenty of room for everyone with 12 seats or 14 seats in the super long wheelbase), great for parties and playdates as extra seats, reliable and they go and go and go. The vehicle is well priced. Note: the word “commuter” means it is a people mover, also called full-size van and has 4 doors. Don’t confuse it with the commercial version of it that normally comes as a 2 seater and 2 doors, suited to move things.

Cons: parking at shopping centres (you’ll need bus parking) and height considerations in carparks, OK parking full stop! Otherwise another great vehicle.

IMPORTS

The Japanese do some nice people movers that aren’t available from dealers and you might have seen a Nissan Elgrand around and there seem to be a few in Sydney. There is also a japanese version of Toyota Tarago called Estima – it mostly looks and feels exactly the same as the australian model. However it might come as a AWD and cost you more on petrol. Car Rental companies rarely supply the imports to their customers as they are more expensive in servicing and repairing. It could also get you in trouble with the road-side assistance if you need one – it might just take a little longer to help you when you need help.

Among other imports: Mazda MPV (seats 7), Hyundai Trajet (seats 7, older version of Hyundai iMax), Mitsubishi Starwagon (comes as 7 or 8 seater), Mitsubishi Grandis (seats 7).

CONCLUSION

To summarise will just list down all the things to consider when renting a family van:

how many carseats do you have/need to fit in and how many anchor points
how big is the boot for your pram (especially if you have twins, 2 or more little ones)
budget
where will be you driving (just locally, inner city, country etc)
how long do you go on family holidays for and is it big enough
reliability and reputation
easy to drive, park and get kids in and out
safety, safety and safety (e.g. how many airbags are fitted throughout the car)
petrol and the cost of it

Self-driving cars and the Future of Car Rentals

Posted on April 5, 2017March 18, 2018 by Tanya Smith

Revolution is coming

Cars capable of driving themselves – some of the time at least – are taking on the roads. There are two competing approaches:

adding self-driving features to existing cars as driver aids,
and building entirely new vehicles that can operate only in autonomous mode (fleets of which could operate as taxis in a city centre, for example, summoned using a ride-hailing app). Self-driving trucks are also being under development.

Every century the humans come up with at least one revolutionary change. It happened when digital cameras replaced film cameras. Now the printing industry is dying in favour to the emailing and electronic documents storage. Any revolution comes with skepticism but technology always wins because it makes our lives easier and better.

There are many historical parallels with the advent of the motor car more than a century ago. Among them: concerns over safety, regulatory uncertainty, liability in the case of accidents and worries that the new technology will destroy jobs. The car displaced the existing travel infrastructure built around horses and carriages. Obviously it impacted their related professions as well. But it also created new jobs for mechanics, drivers and workers in roadside service stations. It stimulated commerce more generally (car rentals business is one of the instances) by making travel easier. A switch to autonomous vehicles, feared by truck drivers and taxi drivers, would have a similar dislocating affect, but also offers benefits in the long term.

What is next?

Just imagine, you can still commit to a few drinks at work while your vehicle is waiting for you at the car park. You can go on travel and save on a hotel room while your car is driving you far away at night and your whole family is having a nap at the back. We are thinking that self-driving people movers and motorhomes are going to be the most popular autonomous vehicles for rent. They are already self-driving trains all over the world, so why not buses and mini vans next?

Models suggest that shared, self driving taxis could reduce the number of vehicles needed in a typical city by 90%. Most people would no longer need to own a car. Space wasted on parking (as much as 20% of the area of some Australian cities) could be used for housing or parks. And autonomous cars could be electric, thus reducing climate-changing vehicles might greatly expand demand for products (such as food) made locally. In developing countries, billions of people might skip car ownership altogether. Car accidents and death would plummet. Just as cars reconfigured cities in the 20th century, both history and current trends suggest that autonomous ones could do the same in the 21st.

Car Rentals Future

We suspect the car rental companies would experience a revolutionary change in its services as well. Low Cost Car Rentals has already replaced all the manual cars with automatic. The reason being, we spotted that 97% of our customers preferred automatic transmission over the manual. Despite, the manual cars were involved into more accidents and we want our customer to be safe and happy.

We also foresee the rental rates might raise until the self-driving cars get cheaper. However a lot of people under 25, young tourists and professionals can avoid extra fees and charges. No more excess reductions, no extra charges for overseas license holders and no P-plates. Everyone would be able to save any costs associated with just being an approved driver.

Insurance industry will freak out at first. The road Police will have to make a lot of adjustments into their day-to-day responsibilities. Nevertheless the benefits the change offers just too good to stop it. All of our Low Cost Car Rentals staff here in Sydney can’t wait for this revolution to happen.

We all know, the vehicles are more exciting if piloted by humans. But in future that seems likely to be the exception, not the rule.