Car Rentals - Terms & Conditions

Irish Car Rentals Terms and Conditions Of Hire

These terms & Conditions were last updated on 28th Apr 2008

Drivers License Requirements: All drivers must be in possession of a full-unendorsed driver's license at the time of rental. (Certain minor endorsements may be acceptable, please call us prior to booking). All drivers must have held a full driver's license for at least 12 months prior to hiring a car with Irish Car Rentals and must present themselves with their full-unendorsed driver's license at the pick up location at the time of rental.
Holders of US, Canadian, Australian and All EU member states are NOT required to supply an International Driving License (IDL). An International Driving License (IDL) is required if your national driver's license is not in Roman script. International driver's licenses MUST BE accompanied by the original domestic license of the driver. (This is clearly stated on the international license).

Age Requirements - Restrictions* The minimum age to rent a vehicle is 25 years. There is no maximum age limit. All drivers must present their unendorsed full license at the Irish Car Rentals desk and must sign the rental contract. Only named drivers may drive an Irish Car Rentals vehicle. 

Driver Assessment. You may be required to complete a Driver Safety Assessment Form. If you wish to complete this in advance you can (Download the Form Here) You can also complete the form by clicking the link on the booking form. Please be advised that a daily surcharge may apply depending on the outcome of the risk assessment. 

Additional named drivers*

Additional named drivers Additional drivers can be added locally for an additional EURO 7.75 per day per driver. All additional drivers must present their unendorsed full license at the Irish Car Rentals desk and must sign the rental contract. Only named drivers may drive an Irish Car Rentals vehicle. 

Collision Damage Insurance (CDW): This option limits your financial liability for damage to the Irish Car Rentals vehicle, its parts and accessories, except theft, attempted theft or vandalism, provided the vehicle is used in accordance with the terms and conditions of the rental agreement. The cover is subject to an insurance excess - (see detail under the heading CDW Excess - Excess Liability). If you have chosen a rate that excludes CDW you are liable for the full value of the vehicle and a minimum deposit of Euro 5000 will be required on collection, alternatively CDW cover may be purchased locally at a cost of E14.00 per day. Premium Insurance Option (PIO) If you opt for CDW cover, you may also wish to purchase an additional protection, Premium Insurance Option (PIO) to reduce the already limited liability in case of damage to the ICR vehicle. PIO reduces your excess liability of EURO 1200 to zero for a charge of EURO 14.95 per day on standard vehicles. This option also covers damage to the windscreen, glass and wing mirrors which are not covered by SDW. This option is not presently available on minivans and luxury vehicles. Windscreen Cover (WINDINS) If you opt for CDW cover and decide not to reduce the overall excess you may wish to purchase windscreen cover as the windscreen, wing mirrors and glass are the items most often damaged. This insurance covers all of the above and can be purchased at a cost of E5.00 per day on all vehicles. 

CDW Excess - Excess Liability: If you choose a rate inclusive of CDW insurance, a CDW Excess will apply at all times. All rentals are subject to liability excess, ranging from EURO 1,200 to EURO 1,800 (depending on the vehicle group rented) for which you are responsible in the event of damage to the Irish Car Rentals vehicle during the rental. 

Super Damage Waiver Insurance (SDW): If you opt for CDW cover, you may also wish to purchase an additional protection, Super Damage Waiver Insurance (SDW) to reduce the already limited liability in case of damage to the Irish Car Rentals vehicle. SDW reduces your excess liability of EURO 1,200 to EURO 100 for a charge of EURO 9.95 per day on smaller vehicles. The excess on luxury cars, minivans and minibuses is EURO 1,800 and can be reduced to EURO 100 for an additional charge of EURO 15 per day. 

Theft Loss Insurance: This insurance option limits your financial liability for loss or theft of the Irish Car Rentals vehicle, its parts and accessories, provided the vehicle is used in accordance with the terms and conditions of the rental agreement. If Theft is not included in the rate you have chosen it is available locally at EURO 7.50 per day. 

Personal Accident Insurance: Personal Accident Insurance (PAI) is available for EURO 6 per day on all vehicles. This insurance covers the driver for personal injuries or fatality up to the sum of EURO 31,750. 

Location Surcharge: If you are picking up your vehicle, at a non-airport location, a "location Surcharge" may apply. If applicable this surcharge of E22.00 will appear on the booking form and also on your e-mail confirmation. 

Christmas One way Rental Fee: A one way fee of Euro 75 will be charged to one way rentals where the pick up date is between December 21st - 29th. This fee is not included in your rate and will be charged on arrival. A one way is where the pick up and drop off locations differ. 

Methods of Payment: Irish Car Rentals accepts MasterCard, Visa, Visa Delta, American Express and Diners Club. We regret we can not accept Switch cards, debit cards (other than Visa Delta) or cash. A named driver must present their credit card on collection of the vehicle. We regret we can not accept the credit card of a third party who will not be present at the time of the rental. At the time of the rental there must be sufficient credit on the card to cover all charges including any insurance excess as a preauthorization to the amount of the excess will be taken on collection, in the case of customers using Visa Delta cards the excess deposit will be charged to the card rather than preauthorised as these cards do not support a preauthorisation. Irish Car Rentals does not accept cash as a method of payment. We regret we cannot accept the credit card of a third party who will not be present at the time of the rental. 

Possible changes to MasterCard offer as of Sept 1st 2006

Irish Car Rentals has been informed that Mastercard may have restricted its Auto Rental Insurance package to hirers in the Republic of Ireland. Mastercard have not confirmed this in writing yet. Please contact your credit card issuer before you make a booking where you wish to use your credit card to cover the Auto Rental insurance in the Republic of Ireland.

MasterCard Auto Rental Insurance and Canadian Visa Card Auto rental Insurance may allow you to waive the cost of Theft Protection and Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) for rental cars in some countries. This coverage is may ONLY be available with certain MasterCard's issued by US bank's and some Canadian Visa card programmes. If you pay for the full rental with your eligible MasterCard card or Canadian Visa Card you may be covered for up to $50,000 Auto rental Insurance for your rental without excess. This insurance covers the rental vehicle.

This is an insurance programme, restrictions and exclusions apply. In order to establish if your MasterCard or Canadian Visa includes Auto Rental Insurance in the Republic of Ireland please call your credit card issuer and/or MasterCard/Canadian Visa before making your reservation. This coverage is a service provided by MasterCard/VISA Canada to the cardholder and therefore it is the card holders responsibility to ensure that they are adequately covered for the entire duration of the rental period. We reserve the right to refuse third party insurance. Please note Mastercard US may have restricted the insurance in provides in the Republic of Ireland from September 1st 2006. Please contact your credit card issuer before making a rental exclusive of our car rental insurance.

Contact Details for Mastercard and Visa Canada Mastercard can be contacted from the U.S. by calling 1-800-MC-ASSIST Visa Canada can be contacted from Canada by calling 416.367.8472 In order to establish if your MasterCard or Canadian Visa includes Auto Rental Insurance in the Republic of Ireland please call your credit card issuer and/or MasterCard/Canadian Visa before making your reservation. It is important to confirm to your credit card issuer that the Republic of Ireland is your place of rental.

Please Note: Irish Car Rentals unfortunately can not accept Auto Rental Insurance programmes offered by European Banks and Credit card institutions.

Speeding - Parking and other Endorsements: Fines for Speeding /Parking Fines and tolls are the responsibility of the hirer in full. Irish Car Rentals accepts no responsibility for any fine or payment and may charge an administration fee for any penalties that are not settled before the end of the rental. The renter is obliged to inform Irish Car Rentals of any fines or parking tickets issued whilst the renter is using the vehicle. 

Car Types Available: Irish Car Rentals operates a fleet with many different makes and models of cars. Whilst every effort will be made to supply the reserved model, we reserve the right to supply a suitable alternative. Unfortunately due to our extended fleet we can not guarantee a particular make or model and vehicles shown on our webiste are only examples of what we have on fleet. All cars are equipped with car radios and either cassette players or CD players. Every effort will be made when you arrive to provide a car with either a CD player or cassette player (depending on your preference). We can not guarantee a CD player or cassette player when you reserve your car. 

Baby Seats: Child Seats and Baby seats are available by prior notification at an additional cost of EURO 49 per rental. Baby seats are NOT available for children under 6 months old. Child seats are mandatory by law in Ireland for children aged from 12 months to 4.5 years. Children under the age of 3 years must not travel in a car unless restrained in the correct child seat. Children aged 3 years or over who are under 150cms in height and weighing less than 36 kilograms (i.e. generally children up to the age 11/12 years old) must use the correct child seat, booster seat or booster cushion when travelling in the car. Rearward-facing child car seats must never be used in the front passenger seat of cars with an active airbag. Drivers have a legal responsibility to ensure passengers under 17 years or age use the correct seat, booster seat, booster cushion or seatbelt. 

Fuel Policy: For your convenience We are pleased to offer you the convenience of the Prepaid Fuel Option. You may now purchase your initial tank of fuel from Irish Car Rentals at the time of rental at a price that is very competitive with local fuel stations. This method eliminates the need for you to refill the tank before returning your rental vehicle. Please be aware that we are unable to give a refund for unused fuel 

Deposits: A specified deposit will be charged to your credit card when you make your booking. This will be detailed on the booking page. Any balance due will be charged at time of pick up in EURO. Bookings for pick up within the next 45 days require full prepayment at time of booking. 

Cancellations: 15% of the rental cost is non-refundable in the event of a cancellation. If you have taken out cancellation protection this does not apply. We will then refund your deposit in full except for the cancellation protection insurance costs. 

Collection Times/Delayed Arrivals.
Please be advised that in the event of a delayed arrival Irish Car Rentals will make every effort to hold your reserved vehicle for as long as possible however where a flight no. has not been provided and we have not been contacted we will regard the booking as a no-show 2 hours from the collection time on the reservation and the vehicle may be released subject to requirements.

Grace Period: Irish Car Rentals allows a 1 hr grace period at the end of your rental. This means on the final day of your rental we allow 1 hours free rental time. Please note that the starting rental time and date indicated on your rental agreement determines the start of your rental. The grace time time is counted from that time not the time you actually sit in the rental car and leave our facility. Daily charges apply should the car be returned after the free grace period. 

Airport Collection: In common with many Airport Car Rental companies a standard location surcharge of EURO 25.00 will be added to the cost when you pick up your car at Dublin, Shannon, Kerry (Farranfore), Knock (Ireland West) or Cork Airport's. This is payable on arrival. 

Road Fund Tax (RFT): All rentals will incur a charge of Euro 1.32 per day which will be charged locally upon arrival at the collection point. 

Cross Border Hire: - Northern Ireland, Should you wish to drive in the Northern Ireland it is a requirement of rental that you inform Irish Car Rentals that you wish to do so prior to leaving the rental location. There is a nominal EURO 25 fee when taking your car into Northern Ireland. Cars can not be taken off the island of Ireland at any stage. 

Late fees: - After Hours - Dublin Airport: For collection after 23:00 a late fee of EURO 25 applies to all bookings. Shannon Airport: For collection after (midnight) 00:00 a late fee of EURO 25 applies to all bookings. Cork Airport: For collection after 22:00 a late fee of EURO 25 applies to all bookings Kerry Airport: For collection after 20:00 a late fee of Euro 25 applies to all bookings. Knock Airport: For collection after scheduled opening times a late fee of Euro 25.00 applies to all bookings. (Seasonal variations apply.) 

Vat is 13.5% in the Republic of Ireland and is applicable on all items not included in the rental cost, for example location fees and additional insurances purchased locally. 

* Please note that at all times the final discretion rests with our location rental agent as to whether a booking is completed. In the highly unlikely event that the Irish Car Rentals rental agent is not completely satisfied with a drivers credentials/qualifications we reserve the right to refuse to release a rental car. 

Foreign Currencies: All rates are guaranteed in Euro - please be advised that foreign currency conversions on our quotation page are given for comparison purposes only. 

Version COH/14/04/08 - Subject to alteration without prior notification

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