All you need to know about van rental

Did you know you can rent a van as easily as renting a car?

For many drivers, there will be no need to buy a new or used van outright because your needs for the van will be much different – perhaps you only need a van for a one-way trip, for a period of weeks or months. In that case, you should examine van rental – and this section of the van buying guide will explain how it works.

What is van rental and how does it work?

Van rental works in a similar manner to car hire in that you get all the benefits of van ownership without making a long term commitment as you would do with van leasing or van contract hire.

You simply approach a van rental company, whether it be online or in person, about a vehicle in its range. Then you can establish an agreement to pay a minimal payment to take out the van for a specified period.

How long can you take out a van rental for?

The length of time that you take out the van rental for is the biggest determining factor in the price you have to pay. There are several types of agreement available:

Van rental by the day – This is a method preferred by people who are moving house, or businesses that have a sudden increase in workload or are waiting on new vehicles to arrive. It is low cost and most van rental companies should supply you with a vehicle within 24hrs of request.
Van rental by the month – This rental option is usually taken by companies who experience an unexpected busy period or perhaps take on temporary staff. There is no long term commitment and most van rental companies should deliver directly to you.
Van rental over a long-term – Depending on the van rental dealer you contact, the longest term you can hire a van for can range from three- to 12months. This often works out as the most economical method of van rental – renting for shorter periods will have comparatively high prices. A long-term van rental is generally employed by businesses looking to address problems in their fleet management.

What other options are available?

If you’re going to take out a van rental, you should look beyond the cheapest price and consider what additional services the van rental dealer is willing to offer.

Do they deliver – The majority of van rental companies will be willing to deliver and collect the vehicle directly to and from your door. If you find a good deal but your van rental company won’t deliver, then be sure to research its network of rental stations. Many of the major van rental companies have outlets around the country, particularly at prominent public places such as airports.
Availability – Think about how quickly you need the van. Some companies will deliver within 24hrs.
Maintenance – A good van rental agreement should cover any maintenance costs for the hire period. That will not necessarily mean that you can crash the vehicle and get away with it, however! Be sure to examine the policy on repairs and accidents – for example, will they supply you with a free replacement vehicle?
Insurance – Most van rental companies will arrange insurance for you. This can be an expensive add-on, so be sure to ask for a final price after all costs, including insurance, to avoid being stung.
Breakdown cover – Does the van rental company offer 24hr emergency roadside assistance cover as part of the package?
How old are the vehicles – Most van rental vehicles are under 24months old. They should also undergo rigorous checks before you take the van on the road.
Mileage limit – Many van rental companies will impose a mileage limit on the vehicle to ensure it does not undergo excessive wear and tear. If there is a mileage limit in place, make sure you can easily stick to it.
Petrol situation – As with most hire car agreements, you are usually expected to return a van rental with as much petrol in the tank as when you took it out. Each company’s policy on petrol levels will be different, so be sure to check.
Area restrictions – You must ensure you are covered for overseas travel, if you plan to take the van abroad. If you are covered in the EU for example, does your van rental company extend its breakdown recovery service to foreign countries?
Can you extend the agreement – If you are unsure about how long you will need the hire van for, ask the rental company for its terms and prices for lengthier agreements.

What do you need for a van rental?

In most cases you will need to provide a copy of your driver’s licence and a credit/debit card to secure your rental agreement. Payments are usually made by credit/debit card so that the company is authorised against any potential damage claims.