Road Warriors

Sourcing a reputable and low-cost rental car company anywhere in the world is not an easy task and finding cheap car rental Cyprus is no different. Although there is an abundance of rental cars in Cyprus, the rental prices can be high and/ or the cars can be a little worse for wear if you don’t do your homework. So, the next time you hire a car for your Summer Holiday in Cyprus, just be extra vigilant.  Most rental companies have a good reputation; however, there are a few questionable ones out there.  If you take note of the pointers below, it should save you a headache.

1- Drivers

Because driving in any nation where the streets are tight and old and the drivers a little less law-conscious is dangerous, you need to make sure that everyone that could potentially be driving your car is listed and that they are all insured. So, check that everyone who wants to drive the hire car is named on the agreement and is eligible to drive it under the rental company conditions.

To hire a car in Cyprus, the minimum age is 25 or must have held a clean driving license for at least 3 years.  If any of your drivers are under 25, find out if they can be included as a named driver on a policy in your name.

If you have excessive tickets or accidents, the car rental agency may not rent to you at all, so be prepared to have a back-up plan (for instance, an alternative driver), if you are rejected.   This is also a great idea if you plan to share the driving, if you fancy having a few drinks at night.  The best thing to do, though, is to ensure that you are qualified to rent and drive before you ever leave home.

2 – Fuel

One aspect of cheap car rental Cyprusthat can turn a cheap rental into an expensive one is the fuel charges. Each car rental agency has its own fuel requirements and you need to pay very close attention to these if you don’t want to pay high surcharges. In most instances, you will be given the car with a full tank of petrol and you will be expected to return it full. If you don’t, you will be billed a surcharge for the amount they have to top up and most probably pay a premium on the petrol price. If a car hire company manages to fit a few more liters in the tank, they will charge you for refueling, so no skimping!

If you choose to pay for the fuel you’ve used, keep all of your receipts.  The good news is, the price of fuel is slightly cheaper in Cyprus compared to the likes of the UK.

3 – Vehicle Damage Cover / Collision Damage Waiver

This isn’t actually insurance and it isn’t compulsory, so don’t be pushed into thinking it is. This covers the renter for the cost of repairs in the event that the vehicle is involved in a road accident, but can push the cost of your rental up considerably.

Usually the waiver will only cover up to a certain amount and doesn’t include broken glass, damaged tyres and damage to the oil sump in Cyprus.  But you will need to check the individual policy to determine this. You will usually have an excess which you will need to pay in the case of a claim – for example, if your excess is £300, then you will need to pay the first £300 of any repairs made.

Personal accident insurance is an optional cover which protects the driver in the case of

an accident caused by them resulting in death or permanent disability. Theft waiver will cover the hirer in the event that the vehicle is lost or stolen.  Loss and damage waiver combines Damage and Theft Cover

The happy news is that you can source cheap car rental Cyprus, which will save you a lot of money over taxis or organized tours. But making sure you choose the right rental company before you leave home is the best way to make sure you have a safe and affordable trip.

Due to the rising cost of fuel and the environmental damage it causes to our planet, many car owners or buyers are looking for an alternative way to save money. Let’s face it, fuel supply is finite and the prices of gas is only going to rise higher and higher. That is where a hybrid car has its advantages

Hybrid cars have been gaining in popularity in recent years. With lower cost of production and new hybrid car technology being developed, owning a hybrid car is becoming affordable to everyone.

Hybrid Cars Saves Gas

The obvious advantage of using hybrid cars is that it saves gas. Combining the cleaner energy of an electric motor with the long range capacity of a gasoline engine allows a hybrid car to save as much as 30 miles a gallon. One feature of hybrid cars is that the gasoline engine is shut off automatically when the car stops. This also helps in saving fuel. That is also the reason why hybrid cars are so quiet why it is stationary. The gasoline engine is automatically turned on when you step on the accelerator pedal.

Hybrid Cars Are Environment Friendly

Hybrid cars emit lower toxic emissions compared to conventional gasoline-powered cars due to less gasoline being burned. It is environmentally friendly, causes less pollution and releases less carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. If you do not know, carbon dioxide is one of the primary reasons for rising global warming. For example, the Toyota Prius can reduce tailpipe emissions by up to ninety percent and the greenhouse gas emissions by as much as fifty percent.

Tax Incentives For Hybrid Cars

Due to world political pressures around the world to reduce greenhouse emissions, President Bush signed an agreement in 2005 to provide huge tax relief to hybrid car buyers. The tax incentive varies by model and are based on two factors

1. How fuel efficient the hybrid car is compared to a conventional car in 2002 with the same weight class.

2. How much gasoline the hybrid car can save in its lifetime compared with an equivalent conventional car

For example, a Honda Accord hybrid car have reduced tax credits of $600 while a Toyota Prius has a tax credit of $3150. Do note that the tax credits do expire after 2010 for most hybrid cars.

Hybrid car manufacturers are continually researching for more ways to reduce fuel consumption and better fuel efficiency. Also as more hybrid cars are being adopted, the cost of hybrid cars will reduce making it more affordable for everyone.