Frequently Asked Questions
Some answers to the most common questions we are asked about our Car Hire service.
Breakdown Responsibility
If the vehicle has a breakdown or other mechanical fault Fort William Car Hire will not be responsible or accountable. If this happens, ring the emergency number that we provided when you picked up the car and we will arrange assistance, free of charge.
Can anyone drive your cars?
NO! We have a number of exclusions. Those who CANNOT drive one of our vehicles are:
– Learner Drivers
– Drivers using the vehicle to carry passengers for hire or a reward
- Drivers over the age of 70 (If you are under 25 or over 70 years of age please e-mail us so we can arrange alternative insurance - a small surcharge will apply)
Vehicles hired from us cannot be used for:
– Towing of any kind
– Driving with the following occupation: Foreign Armed Forces, Entertainers, Sports professionals
Do I qualify for insurance cover?
To qualify for our Insurance Cover you have to be aged between 25 and 70 years of age and have a minimum of 2 years full driving experience. If you are under 25 or over 70 years of age please e-mail us so we can arrange alternative insurance - a small surcharge will apply.
All drivers must have held a full UK, European or International Driving Licence for at least 2 years.
You must not have more than 6 valid points on your Driving Licence, however we are able to supply vehicles to customers if they have endorsements on their Licence.
There will be certain endorsements, which due to insurance restrictions, will stop us from supplying a vehicle or it will result in your excess and deposit being at a higher rate.
The insurance will be valid for customers who have up to 3 penalty points for speeding. We can also accommodate some road traffic offences.
If you are under 25 or over 70 please contact us to arrange alternative items insurance, which will incur a small additional charge.
Is there an insurance excess?
When you rent from Fort William Car Hire we require an excess on all vehicles. This is to cover the cost of any damage, loss of use, or theft of the vehicle during the rental period.
The excess is displayed on the individual vehicle booking page, as varies depending on the type and value of the car.
we can arrange with our insurers for a reduction on the excess, for an a additional charge. Please note that excess waivers are only available at the start of the hire and not once the car is rented.
In event of any of the above full additional fee will be taken. The repairs will then be valued and the difference, if there is any, will be refunded.
All personal items are left in the rental vehicle are at your own risk. Fort William Car Hire is not liable for lost or stolen items.
We strongly recommend you take out separate insurance for your personal belongings.
Remember - never leave valuables in view when leaving your rental car unattended.
Can I return the vehicle early?
Yes, you can return your rental vehicle at any point in the rental period. However, we do NOT offer any refund on unused rental days.
We advise all our customers to book for the shortest period possible and then call or email us to extended rental period if needed. This will help you avoid disappointment.
How will I know which vehicle to choose when booking?
If you are not sure which car to choose or need any assistance, don’t hesitate to contact our dedicated team who have the knowledge and experience to assist you in any way possible.
Am I guaranteed to receive the vehicle I requested?
Fort William Car Hire will do everything possible to supply the vehicle requested by the customer on every occasion, but vehicles are categorised by groups and if the exact vehicle is not available we supply similar alternative vehicle within the same group, or upgrade you for no extra charge.
As soon as we know this will be required we will try and contact the customer to let them know.
What if I lose the keys?
If you lose your key, you will be obligated to pay for a replacement, as well as any associated transport costs. Keys are chip coded, and expensive to replace. You might be personally affected while you wait for the new key to be made and delivered, so please take good care of the key.
What if I get a speeding or parking fine?
When you book with Fort William Car Hire we reserve the right to recover all costs if we incur penalties for parking illegally, speeding, congestion zone charges etc.
This will be deducted from the payment card you used when collecting the vehicle.
In addition, there will also be an administration fee surcharge.
Will the vehicle I hire be provided with a full tank of fuel?
We rent vehicles on an 'empty to empty' basis. However if the vehicle provided does have fuel in, we ask that the car is returned with the same level of fuel.
The fuel levels are displayed on the rental agreement and will be signed off on return. If the rental vehicle is returned with less fuel, a fuel charge will apply.
Please note, that we do not refund any unused fuel. Please keep this in mind when refuelling towards the end of your rental.
What identification / documents do I need to provide?
Named drivers must show their valid Driving Licence at the time of vehicle collection.
If you have lost or misplaced your drivers licence we might be able to check your details with DVLA for an additional £5.00 charge.
If you have an old style Paper Copy licence, it must be presented and checked for any convictions or endorsements. If you have both the plastic card as well as the paper version, both need to be provided to check for any convictions or endorsements.
We must also see TWO other forms of identification these can be any of the below:
Passport
Household Utility Bill (Address has to match the Driving Licence address)
Credit Card Statement (Address has to match the Driving Licence address)
If the address displayed on your Drivers Licence is not your residential address, we advise you to update your details with the DVLA.
Can I take the car abroad?
Vehicles cannot be taken outside of the UK under any circumstances.
Can I cancel or amend my reservation?
Yes, you can modify your reservation at any time subject to availability. Please contact our reservation team as soon as possible. Upon contact we will let you know if cancellation or amendment fee will apply.
Do you require a deposit?
Yes, we will ask you to pay a refundable deposit. This is required to cover any supplementary charges you may incur as part of your rental, e.g. damage, penalties, fuel, etc.
What payment methods do you accept?
We accept all major credit or debit cards, excluding AMEX, Solo and Worldpay.
We do not accept any type of pre-paid cards, cash or cheques.
All payment methods must be in the driver’s name.
In order to keep our prices low, credit card payments may incur a surcharge.