Firefly - Black Opel Corsa

I flew into Murcia Airport at the end of Oct. Late night flight (21.30) and I had arranged to hire a car from Firefly.

At the Firefly counter, I was told that the car was an Opel Corsa. I got the usual spiel about upgrading my insurance. I think it was E200 for 6 days or else I would have to leave a deposit of E1,800 on my credit card etc, etc.

Anyway, I left the deposit and was given a diagram showing 4 marks on the car that had been previously noted. Any further damage I was told would come from my deposit.

I have taken out annual insurance for these insurance excesses which cost me E50, which I did not mention. Anyway, I seen a notice that Firefly would not recognise any insurance not taken out with them, and that it would be up to the customer to deal with their own insurance company.

Arrived out into the car park. Firefly cars are parked right down at the end. There was my black Opel Corsa, at the end of a row waiting for me. It was pitch dark but there was a bright light shining on the passenger side of the car. I examined that side of the car and found nothing out of place. I looked at the drivers side and couldn't see anything, it was too dark.

Then, despite the fact that the mozzies were buzzing around, being the trusting sort of person that I am, I drove out of the parking space and stopped with the car facing the opposite direction.

I got out of the car and carried out a proper examination of the drivers side.

Surprise! Surprise! The passenger sill behind the driver was all bent and twisted. The very bottom of the passenger door over the sill was also badly damaged. Someone had previously driven this car of a very high curb, and only I spotted the damage before I left the car park, it seems obvious that that I would be left picking up the tab for the damage.

I went back to the Firefly office. Just in time, as the man had the shutters 1/2 down and was on his way home. I explained that the car was badly damaged and where the damage was. He marked it on my diagram and signed it.

On leaving the car back, I asked the clerk if he wished to examine the car. He asked me if I had damaged it in any way. I said that I had not, so he said that that was fine, and off I went.

I'm just wondering if anyone else on this forum has been caught out with this particular car or company?

Wouldnt touch Fire Fly with a barge pole.

Sorry....don't understand,how were you "caught out" Did they end up charging you for the damage?

walnut wrote:Sorry....don't understand,how were you "caught out" Did they end up charging you for the damage?

Yes I was wondering this. From what I can tell from the first post is that the company allowed a car with damage to be re-rented. This has happened to us twice, once years ago when we were charged but fought it through our credit card company and the head office of the company and eventually after a long drawn out process received a refund. The second time was with a reputable company who took our word for it that the damage was there on pick up and didn't charge us.

I suppose we should trust that hire companies would check all their cars on return, before re-hiring them out, but its obviously not always done and I suppose they sometimes have quick turnarounds......We would hope that they are not trying to get 2 payments for one damage but how do we know and I couldn't possibly comment!

All this reminds us to check the hire car when we collect it, before driving it.

As it was dark when Murt collected his car obviously things could be missed but past lessons have taught me to always get a signature from the hire company to say car checked and no damage seen on collection, especially when it's dark, even though we now always have *annual excess insurance .

* If the car is fully comprehensively insured on hiring then any damage excess cost, which some companies (not all), make you leave a deposit to insure against, even with excess insurance, will be refunded by the excess insurance company.

Jan

With every hire car I always thoroughly check it over and have lost count of the number of times I've gone back to the rental office to have the marks, scratches etc noted and signed off on my copy of the hire agreement. No matter how small, I note everything just in case one of the hire companies is less reputable than others. I've used Firefly several times, and am with them again for my next hire car, and have to say that I've not had any problems with them when highlighting anything they may have missed. Fingers crossed it will be the same this time!

Sorry I didn't make it clearer.

No I wasn't charged, at least I havn't been so far. I don't accept that these companies don't properly check their cars for damage after a hire.

When I left my car back to Record earlier in the year and asked them to check the car, the rep was out like a bullet with his tablet looking for damage. he had a tablet with him. He gave the most careful examination to the lower parts of the car, ie those that would be damaged by going up and down off curbs or reversing into rocks etc.



t

More info on Firefly! See link

http://www.torrevieja.co.uk/torrevieja-forum/12/125105

Murt wrote:I have taken out annual insurance for these insurance excesses which cost me E50, which I did not mention. Anyway, I seen a notice that Firefly would not recognise any insurance not taken out with them, and that it would be up to the customer to deal with their own insurance company.

Hi Murt,
I have only just noticed that you wrote this (above). It's quite normal for hire car insurance companies to say that but as you have excess insurance if Firefly were to charge you their excess, you would get it back from your own excess insurer.

I'm not assuming you use the same insurer but our insurer says this:
"Car hire companies often charge an excess for damage caused to the car whilst you're behind the wheel even if it's not your fault. This can be upwards of £1000 meaning if you're involved in an accident, you'll have to pay a contribution to cover the damage.
With an annual car hire excess insurance policy you're able to reclaim the excess you’d have to pay in the unfortunate event of an accident or your car being stolen.
What’s more, with our car hire excess insurance policies, you pay less and get more cover compared with waiving the excess at the car hire desk. Our policies will reimburse you for charges as a result of damage to the undercarriage, misfueling, towing and so much more".



Jan

Travel regularly from Birmingham airport to Alicante and pick up a car each time. So far around 9 times in the last 12 months. I always use the same company through habit although i have used others from the airport. I shan't name the company I use unless anyone wants to message me privately. I always take the cheapest car hire - just returned, last week cost 6 pounds week hire.

When i arrive i upgrade to the hassle free insurance and take the pay for fuel and get refunded for any unused. This cost the bulk of the bill 117 pounds for the week. I have received a credit of 28 pounds for the unused fuel. This has cost me less than 100 pound for the hire of a car for a week. less than the cost of return transfer airport to quesada.

Some may think that the excess insurance is a rip off but it does save any argument at a later date. I have lost count of the number of times i have witnessed arguments at the airport between car hire staff and customers over scratches or dents that were or were not there all in the hope of saving a few quid on taking out a bit of extra insurance.

I know it can seem that you may be paying for something unjustified but the reason it is called hassle free cover is to avoid the stress, something we can all do without, especially on holiday. I just pick up my car, pay the money, and don't have to worry if i see a dented bumper or scratch the following day or when i take the car back.
Just think what the equivalent cost would be in England.

As above we always used to take the excess insurance at the hire car desk and as long as you do that, or take out an excess annual insurance, things should be OK....but..there are companies who do not include comprehensive insurance with their car prices when advertising them, which will sound incredibly cheap when booking. I would rather use an all inclusive price which includes comprehensive insurance and CDW (and always check before booking!) . This may seem more expensive but it does save hassle. However, all car hire companies charge an excess, unless you take out their extra insurance or (possibly) pay a deposit if you have your own annual excess insurance.
No cars can possibly be hired out at £6 a day. There will always be extras at these bargain basement prices...They hook you in.. but it pays to be on the ball and if you use them be aware as ChrisTOPHER123 has indicated above.

Jan