Most bad rental experiences come not from bad faith but from details nobody raised. Ask these seven questions before you book and the odds of a surprise at handover drop sharply. Ask them of us, and ask them of anyone else you are considering.
1. What is the daily mileage limit, and what happens if I exceed it?
Most companies have one. At Grandes it is 200 km a day, multiplied by the number of days — 1,000 km on a five-day rental. What matters is knowing the excess rate in advance. A day out to Olympos and another to Side eats through 200 km quickly.
2. How much is the deposit, and when do I get it back?
The amount varies by car. The question that matters is not the figure but the conditions: what triggers a deduction, and how long does the return take? You should have that in writing before the booking is finalised.
3. What does the insurance actually cover?
"Insured" on its own means nothing. Cover depends on the protection package, and no package gives unlimited protection in every circumstance. Driving under the influence, letting someone not named on the agreement drive, and failing to obtain the required documents after an accident are the usual ways cover disappears.
4. What is the fuel policy?
The fairest is same-to-same: bring it back as you got it. Some companies give you a full tank and expect it back empty, charging the difference at their own rate — which usually costs more. Whichever it is, record the level together at handover.
5. Will anyone else be driving?
If so, they must be added to the agreement as an additional driver. The moment someone not named on it takes the wheel, the insurance stops applying — and that includes one partner spelling the other for a couple of hours on holiday.
6. What happens if I am late back?
Going past the agreed return time can attract a charge, and delays of more than five hours can be charged as an extra day. The good news is that telling us in advance usually means the rental can simply be extended. The problem is never being late; it is not saying so.
7. What is not in the price?
Traffic fines, tolls and parking during the rental are yours. They can surface after the car has gone back and be passed on then. Returning to a different point is normally subject to a fee and to prior approval too.