Martin Lewis issues urgent warning for Brits travelling this summer | UK News

Martin Lewis has warned holidaymakers against a rental car trap while travelling abroad which sees drivers paying excessive insurance costs.

The money saving expert said in his newsletter customers are encouraged to pay ‘excess cover insurance’ through scare stories told to them when they pick up their car.

He said: ‘Car hire usually includes basic insurance, yet at the pick-up desk, they almost always try to push you to get ‘excess cover insurance’ costing up to £25/day using scare stories of huge bills for just a scratch – or sometimes implying you have to do it.’

Instead, insurance should be bought in advance, which could cost drivers as little as £2 a day.

Mr Lewis also warned the pick-up desk may try to argue the pre-purchased insurance won’t work, as well as pushing Brits to leave a £1,000 refundable deposit.

‘Not a problem, as long as you have one, just keep calm and carry on,’ he explained.

Cheap car insurance can be found on comparison sites including MoneySavingExpert, Compare the Market or Go Compare.

Drivers could save up to £200 if they book with car rental firms or branches based outside the airport.

But Mr Lewis urged people to avoid hiring extras such as satnavs or children’s car seats, which can cost more to rent than to buy new.

Some airlines also lets holidaymakers check a child’s car seat into holding for free.

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