The sun is shining and you’ve booked your dream destination. Now, you just need to hire a car, and you’re ready to go. But how do you avoid getting ripped off?

According to Which, car hire is finally coming down in price. So, there’s a glimmer of hope that you’ll get great value for money this summer. These expert tips should help you avoid the pitfalls and enjoy a smooth and easy car hire process whatever your destination.

Book a car in your destination country

It’s well worth comparing prices between the UK and your destination. You could make significant savings on the same vehicle and insurance if you book in the US or Spain rather than the UK, making you feel financially savvy.

Use a payment card that doesn’t charge for transactions in foreign currencies and always pay upfront-you could pay extra if you pay on arrival.

Avoid overpriced extras

You don’t need to pay for outrageously priced extras like sat navs and child seats if you’re a savvy traveller.

Most airlines will let you take a car seat for free. You can also download GPS apps that transform your smartphone into a pocket sat nav without requiring data roaming.

Buy independent car hire excess insurance before you travel

Some unscrupulous companies will pressure you into buying inadequate car hire excess insurance at the desk. These policies can leave you financially exposed and ruin your trip. Instead, source a standalone car hire excess insurance policy from a top-rated insurance provider such as Money Maxim.

As an additional safeguard, ask for the vehicle to be inspected before you drive off. Also, take extensive photos to avoid paying outrageous damage repair charges.

Read your car hire policy with care

You may find all kinds of nasties buried in the small print. These include excessive senior driver charges, refuelling scams and additional charges for extra mileage.

It may seem a hassle, but reading the terms and conditions can safeguard you against excess or incorrect charges. As a result, you’ll enjoy smooth and seamless car hire with no nasty surprises.