Practical information resources for British Travellers

There is a plethora of information available on the internet for British nationals looking to travel, however, finding the links to the most useful can be time consuming. Car Hire Assistant has brought together summaries and links to 5 of the most important. Which include information on; the European Health Insurance Card; LOCATE, the service provided by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office which provides registered users with better assistance in the event of an emergency such as a tsunami, earthquake or even a terrorist incident.

And, where to find the latest travel information by country together with the various methods to receive this information (RSS, email, Twitter etc); Details on Travel Vaccinations for British Travellers and practical advice on what you can expect from British Consular staff and how to find the nearest Embassy, High Commission or Consulate.

No Car Hire Excess Insurance Can Ruin Your Holiday

Buy Car Hire Excess Insurance Cover

All too often consumers are confused by the terminology used by car rental operators relating to “Insurance Waivers”. Terms such as ‘Collision Damage Waiver’ (CDW) and ‘Theft Waiver’ (TW) are commonplace on car rental sites and those of car hire comparison sites. But what does it all mean?

Most, but not all car hire companies, brokers and agents include CDW and TW as part of their rental price. Those that don’t include these policies are typically organisations that advertise an unbelievably low daily rental price to lure unsuspecting consumers, with a view to escalating the price during the booking process. Is this legal? Yes, but whether it is morally right, highly questionable!

However, even those rental companies that offer Collision Damage Waiver and Theft Waiver as ‘standard’ have a sting in the tail. All of these policies have a mandatory excess. And the amount of the excess is not always made clear. In fact, many consumers believe that the term ‘waiver’ used to describe standard inclusive insurance products means that there is no liability. This is simply not so. Don’t be surprised to see mention of 3, 4 or even 5 different types of “insurance” in the terms and conditions of your car rental contract.

Of course, we are all familiar with an insurance excess, on our own car insurance policies, household policies and even mobile phone insurance. The difference is the level of the insurance excess imposed by the rental operators. This invariably equates to a minimum of £750 and often much higher, perhaps as much as £2000. In a competitive marketplace, insurance companies have started to pass on some of the burden of risk to their customers in order that they can reduce the premiums they pay to their own insurers.

In turn, forever looking out for the interests of the hirer, the rental operators will offer consumers an insurance product often referred to as Car Hire Excess Insurance, Car Hire Excess Waiver or Super Collision Damage Waiver, or some such name designed to offer comfort! The rental operators will argue that they separate these options because some consumers are prepared to accept the risk of an excess in return for a lower rental cost. Perhaps so, but how many holidaymakers would be prepared to accept a “risk” of £750 or more?

The problem with the insurance excess waivers is the cost, especially for those that only opt to take it out at the rental counter. Instead of the insurance excess waiver being used as a ‘comfort insurance’ for the hirer, it has increasingly become an important income stream for the rental company. In fact, those rental operators that offer the cheap headline prices invariably rely on the sale of the insurance excess policy to provide all of their profit margin on the rental. So, expect a hard sell if you haven’t taken out this type of insurance during the booking process.

Think of all the major retailers that used to sell electronic products at low prices. No self-respecting salesman would allow you to leave the store without taking out an extended warranty. This often amounted to between 35% and 60% of the product you were purchasing. The same principle applies to many rental companies, except, and this is not unusual, the addition of the various insurance policies can double or triple the headline price of the rental.

The problem with renting a car is that it is an occasional purchase, as such; few people understand the confusing terminology and even fewer, the risks or burden they are potentially taking on. Even if the hirer has taken out most of the insurance policies offered by the rental operator, they can still find themselves held responsible for the costs of damage to tyres, windows, the underside and the roof of the hire car, even if this is done through third party vandalism.

Knowing and understanding the terminology, risks and available options is an important part of the process renting a car. It is possible, for example to benefit from a low car rental price, without shouldering the burden of a huge insurance excess or accepting other exclusions.

The first advice is to ensure that the rental company offers as a minimum, Collision Damage Waiver and Theft waiver. Most do, but some don’t and this can depend on local laws as well as rental company policy. Nonetheless, it is essential that the consumer always ensures these policies are included to avoid substantial risk.

The important thing for hirers to be aware of is the fact that Car Hire Excess Insurance is optional, yes; consumers are likely to be subjected to a sustained sales pitch, which will likely include a few scare stories to add to the mix of fear. But the bottom line is you can refuse.

Instant Quote for Car Hire

Instead, it is now possible to buy Car Hire Excess Waiver Insurance from a specialist, third party insurer, such as the one provided by Car Hire Assistant, in association with Odyssey Insurance. These policies are typically a “pay and claim”. In other words, you pay the excess, and then submit the claim to the insurer. This can often be done online. These policies are considerably cheaper than the waiver insurance offered by rental companies. In some cases, it is possible to take out independent cover for 2 weeks, for the same price as a rental company may charge for 2 days!

Be aware, that some rental companies may tell you that your ‘independent insurance excess waiver’ is not valid for their rental car. This is utter rubbish. Provided you adhere to the terms of the insurance cover and that it is valid for the area you are travelling to (North America, Europe, World-wide etc), then these ‘pay and claim’ policies allow you recover your excess.

Another benefit of taking out an independent excess waiver insurance policy is that they typically, but not always, include cover for damage to the tyres, windows, roof and undercarriage of the car, as well as covering the excess in respect of damage and theft. Policy terms will vary, but in most cases, the excess cover amounts to £2000 per claim.

In the same way that no two rental contracts will be the identical, the same rule applies to policies offered by car hire excess insurance policy providers. However, these insurers realise the importance of being upfront, therefore inclusions and exclusions are generally made clear in the headlines, albeit reading the full terms and conditions is essential.

Whilst most car rentals will proceed without incident, “Murphy’s Law” can become a factor, especially if you are in an unfamiliar country.

The bottom line is you can play the rental companies at their own game. Take out the essential insurance cover such as CDW and TW, and then insure your excess through an independent company. This way you can benefit from a relatively low rental price without burdening the risk of a high excess. Most major car rental operators, brokers and agents will include CDW and TW, but make sure that this is so, if the day rate looks too cheap, it probably doesn’t include these policies. Car Hire Assistant, The Car Rental Comparison Site, offers inclusive rentals with CDW and TW as standard. They also offers an option to purchase car excess waiver insurance during the booking process, or a less expensive independent pay and claim policy.

Car Rental Tips and Advice

If hiring a car was an everyday occurrence, we would all be experts, alas, this is not the case. Most of us only hire a car once, perhaps twice a year, some even less than that. Therefore an insiders perspective can prove valuable, although this can't be a substitute for asking friends for their experiences, independent research and, of course, reading the terms of the rental agreement.

Read our article published on Squidoo offering some general tips and advice on renting a car.

Car Hire Excess Insurance

Car Hire Excess Insurance

Car Hire Assistant launches a Car Hire Excess Insurance package in association with specialist insurer; Odyssey Group. 

Don't get caught out! Getting a good deal on car hire is only part of the process, it is also important to ensure that there are no nasty surprises in the event of some mishap with the rental car.

The fact is, that although rental companies use terms such as: Loss Damage Waiver cover (LDW) or Collision Damage Waiver (CDW), to the unsuspecting, this can give a false impression that everything is covered. The reality is very different, these "waivers" do not cover any car hire insurance excess which can be as high as £1500. For example, with most rental companies, damage to tyres, windscreens, the vehicle undercarriage or the roof will result in an insurance excess, even if you have LDW or CDW. 

In addition, if the vehicle is vandalised, you lose the car keys and even if the car is stolen, you will be subject to an excess. The fact is, a hit on your credit card for £500, £1000 or more is likly to place a dampener on the holiday or business trip.

Car Hire Excess Insurance is not mandatory. Nonetheless, car rental operators will almost certainly attempt to sell you the policy when you collect the car. However, the price quoted is likely to reflect the fact that you can't really shop around from the rental counter, so expect to pay as much as $20 per day for this insurance. 

However what few people realise is that it is possible to purchase Car Hire Excess insurance independently of the company you book your car through and/or the local rental operator. In doing so, you can save a small fortune! 

Car Hire Assistant working in association with specialist Car Hire Excess Insurance provider, Odyssey Group; has come up with an extremely competitive package for Car Hire Excess Insurance, offering cover of up to £2000 per one claim. This insurance can be taken out for the duration of your car hire, or, if you prefer, you can take out an annual policy for less than £40.00. 

To celebrate the launch of this new 'Travel Essential', Car Hire Assistant has negotiated an additional 5% discount. 

For peace of mind, book your Car Hire Excess Insurance with Car Hire Assistant working in association with Odyssey Group. 

Travel Insurance with Car Hire Assistant

Car Hire Assistant has introduced a new 'Travel Essentials" for it's portfolio of associated and value added services for visitors to the car hire comparison site.  Visitors to Car Hire Assistant will now be able to gain instant quotes on Travel Insurance.

The principals of Car Hire Assistant completed extensive research to find a reliable and trustworthy company to provide comprehensive travel insurance policies for their customers. On completion of this research, Car Hire Assistant narrowed the options down to one company, basing their decision on value, reliability, trust and reputation. All traits that the Car Hire Assistant embrace.

The Travel Insurance is available in 150 countries and also offers cover for sports and activities. Buyers of the Travel Insurance can even buy their insurance when they are on holiday and customers can extend their insurance, or make a claim online.  Cover is provided for overseas medical, evacuation, baggage and a range of adventure sports and activities such as skiing and even whitewater rafting.

Car Hire Assistant's range of Travel Essentials range now includes; Travel Insurance, UK Airport Parking, Hotel/Airport Transfer Services, Tours, Attractions and other Things to do and will shortly include Car Hire Excess insurance, aimed to provide insurance cover for the 'excess' imposed by many car hire companies which can be £1500 or more.

About: Car Hire Assistant™ 

Car Hire Assistant™ is a search engine with 550 suppliers, including many national companies such as, Hertz, Avis, National, Europcar, Alamo, Thrifty, Sixt, Budget and Enterprise, as well as independent rental companies. Operating in 175 countries and sporting 30,000 rental locations. Car Hire Assistant™ is a free service and nothing (no premiums, surcharges or fees) is added to the quoted price for the rental car. In addition,   recently added some additional ‘Travel Essentials’ for it’s users including; a comparison service for UK Airport Parking; an online search and quote facility for sea port, hotel and airport transfers and; a full service offering tours, attractions, excursions and things to do on holiday, with full activity descriptions and prices.

Car Rental Terminology and Definitions

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Even for experienced travellers and users of rental cars, the terminology and definitions used by the car rental operators can be confusing. This following information attempts to explain the definitions of the most common terms in plain English.

The guide has been provided by Car Hire Assistant, The Car Hire Comparison Site. We compare prices with up to 550 suppliers, in 175 countries, with over 30,000 rental locations. The Car Hire Assistant search engine is free to use and we add nothing to the rental price. 

Guide to common rental car definitions:

These definitions are provided only as a guide and it essential that you refer to the terms and conditions of your rental agreement for specific terms relative to your hire.

Collision Damage Waiver (CDW), also referred to as: Loss Damage Waiver (LDW)
If the hired car or any of its parts or accessories is damaged other than by theft, attempted theft or vandalism, while on rental, CDW limits your liability to the amount of the non-waivable excess, if any, which applies in each country, provided that you have adhered to all the terms and conditions of the Rental Agreement. CDW does not cover any damage caused as a result of theft, attempted theft or vandalism.

Theft Waiver (TW)
It is an insurance offered by the car rental firm limiting your liability to the excess amount in case of theft of the vehicle. This does not over negligence, if for example you can't return the ignition key, or you left it in an unsafe place, you could be liabel for the full cost of the vehicle, as would be the case with most domestic car insurance policies.

Third Party Liability Protection
Offers protection against any third pary liability such as damage to another vehicle or personal injuries to an individual not travelling in the hire car. TPLP typically does not have an excess or deductible amount to pay.

Super Collision Damage Waiver (SCDW)

Covers tyres, roof and windscreen.

Personal Insurance (PI) Insures against the cost if you accidentally kill yourself or a passenger. (Also see ALI below)

 

Personal Effects Cover (PEC)

Covers property that has been stolen from a vehicle.

 

Additional Liability Insurance (ALI)
This is an optional insurance that protects the hirer and other other authorised drivers against claims made by third parties for personal injuries, death and property damage caused by the use of or the operation of the rental car.

© Car Hire Assistant

Airport Tips and Travel Advice

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This travel advice is brought to you courtesy of Car Hire Assistant, The Car Hire Comparison Site. Compare car hire with up to 550 suppliers, in 175 countries and over 30,000 rental locations. Car Hire Assistant's price comparison service is free and we add nothing to the rental price. 

Planning your Trip

Things always seem to go better when they are carefully planned and flying to another destination is no exception. Plan well and all things being equal, you should have an uneventful trip with less stress. Here are the top tips:

Before you leave

• Ensure that you have your airline tickets, vouchers for hotel bookings, car rental and/or airport shuttle transfers, your passport, visa (if required), money, credit cards and travellers cheques. If you are renting a car at your destination, make sure you have your driver's licence (paper and photo) and, if necessary, an international drivers permit. These items should all be kept in your hand luggage.
• Familiarise yourself with the 'banned item' list, these change from time to time, but it is important to know what can go in your hand luggage, what must go in the hold and what you simply cannot take with you.
• Avoid wrapping items such as gifts or presents because these may be opened by security at your departing or destination airport.
• If you are taking essential medicines, ensure that that they are in their original packaging and, if they are prescription drugs, try and get a letter from your doctor confirming that these have been prescribed for you. Also remember, that is some countries, certain drugs are banned, even if you have been prescribed them by your doctor. If in doubt, check with the airline and/or embassy.
• Make sure that you choose comfortable clothing, especially if it is a long journey, also be cognisant of the weather at your destination, which may influence your choice of clothes.
• Check the weight of your luggage. Most airlines have a strict policy on exceeding baggage limits and airport surcharges can be very expensive. In addition, some airlines will not allow you to pay in excess at checkin, which could lead to delays and inconvenience.

Heading for the airport

• Always remember to allow plenty of time to arrive at the airport. As a general rule, if you are taking an international flight, you should aim to be at the airport at least 2 hours prior to departure. For local or domestic flights, at least one hour.
• Make sure you know what terminal you are departing from, some airports are very large and the distance between the terminal buildings can be considerable.
• Allow plenty of time to get to the airport. Road maintenance often happens at night, and this can occasionally lead to unexpected road closures, so check before you travel and allow ample time for your journey. If you are travelling during the day, then traffic may become your curse, once again, check on travel information sites and allow extra time for unexpected delays.
• If you are driving to the airport yourself, it is advisable to book your airport parking in advance. Many websites no offer this service and it can be much cheaper than attempting to find parking on arrival.
• If you are using public transport to get to the airport, then make sure you have booked advance tickets and also, that there are no planned maintenance (in respect of railways) or anticipated road works in the case of coach travel.
• If you are travelling by hire car and intend to leave it at the airport, make sure the rental company has facilities to allow you to drop it off. Not all car rental companies have airport facilities, many are located just outside.

On arrival at the airport terminal

• Since 2001, airport security has been tightened considerably and, on occasion, additional security measures are employed at very short notice. As a consequence, the amount of time taken to go through airport security has lengthened considerably and it can also be unpredictable, especially if additional measures have been introduced.
• Make sure you are familiar with what you can take through security, particularly in relation to banned items and liquids. Remember, even if you have purchased something at the airport (such as drinks), you may not be able to take it through security and/or on the airline.
• You must keep your baggage with you at all times. In part because of the security issues at airports, but also because it will almost certainly contain your essential travel documents and you would not want to lose them or have them stolen. You should never look after the belongings of other people or agree to carry anything onto the aircraft on their behalf.
• Once you are through passport control and security, make sure you keep a close eye on the 'departure boards', many airport no longer make verbal announcements and you need to know which gate number your flight is departing from. Also consider the amount of time it takes to get from where you are to the gate, some airport are very large, such as Heathrow and it can take up to 30 minutes to get to the gate.

On the plane

• If you are going on a long journey, then try to relax and get some sleep. For shorter journeys you may want to read a book, watch a movie or listen to music on your MP3 player. So make sure you have packed laptops, tablets and/or music players into your hand luggage.
• It is advisable not to eat too much on long haul flights, because this can lead to an inability to sleep or indigestion. Move around the aircraft as much as you can to keep your circulation working. If you have flight socks, then consider using them.
• Avoid too much alcohol, but drink plenty of other beverages to avoid dehydration.

© Car Hire Assistant

Car Hire Tips

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Car Hire Tips brought to you courtesy of Car Hire Assistant, the Car Rental Comparison Site.


Even if you are a seasoned traveller, it is worthwhile considering exactly what you need from a rental car. After all, no two journeys are the same and a 'city car' which may be suitable for business trips will almost certainly be impractical for a vacation with the family...or even the extended family.

• When considering the type of vehicle you wish to hire, consider the passengers and the luggage. Hiring a Suzuki jeep for 4 people with luggage could really be a problem. All too often hirers count the seats, but not the luggage.

• If you are going on holiday and want to relax consider carefully whether you want a manual or automatic gearbox. 

• Most cars have air conditioning as standard, but some of the economy vehicles may not, therefore if this is important to you, check carefully before you book and upgrade to the next model if necessary.

• If you are not familiar with the country you are travelling to, then you need to think ahead. Planning the journey from your arrival airport to your destination is often overlooked. Do you need a local map, SatNav or will you take written directions? There is nothing worse than arriving at the airport in the middle of the night and getting lost! 

• Do you need booster seats, child seats or a ski rack? These are often available from the hire companies at an additional charge, but they have to be booked in advance.  

• Will you be the only driver? Some rental companies will allow a second driver at no additional charge (or for a small fee), but this needs to be booked in advance.

• It is recommended that you remove the identiying tag from the car key ring and keep it in a safe place until the termination of your hire to avoid highlighting that you are a tourist and using a rental car. 

• One Way Hires or dropping the car off at a different location can be convenient, but expensive. Most car hire companies allow this option, but it is worth checking the difference between these options and returning the car to the airport terminal. 

• Check the terms of your hire carefully. Some rental companies will supply the car with a full tank of petrol and will expect you to return it with a full tank. If you don’t, then there could be additional charges levied and the cost of fuel may not be the most competitive. If your car is not provided with a full tank of petrol then you should plan to stop as early as possible refuel. 

• Before you accept the car, make sure you check the condition carefully, noting any damage, including scratches, dents, tyres or windscreen damage. You should ensure that these are written on the handover form to avoid any arguments when the vehicle is returned. Also remember that, as the driver, you are responsible for ensuring that the hire car meets local road and traffic regulations, this includes, but is not limited to tyres, lights, wipers and brakes. If you are not happy, reject the vehicle and ask for an alternative. 

• Above all, familiarise yourself with the car before you drive. Being in a different country with an unfamiliar car can be stressful. Take your time.

• Rules of the road and more specifically traffic laws and regulations vary enormously between different countries. Therefore, whilst your drivers licence may be valid, your appreciation of local driving laws may not. To avoid frustration, fines, arrest or accidents, all travellers would be well advised to familiarise themselves with the local driving regulations before they embark on their journey. Many European countries also impose 'on the spot' fines for offences such as speeding. Also worth noting is that the car hire company will hold you personally liable for any fines incurred whilst you are using the vehicle, for example, parking fines

© Car Hire Assistant

Free travel visa checker. Do I need a visa?

If you are looking to travel overseas for business or leisure, you may need to check if you need a travel visa. Car Hire Assistant has included an ‘instant checker‘ where you can check to see if your destination country requires a visa based on your nationality. This instant checker is free to use and also provides details on the local embassies or consulates on your chosen destination.

If you need travel documentation and don’t want the hassle of going through, what can often be a very bureaucratic and time consuming process, then you can use our online checker to go direct to VisaHQ. This organisations provides a professional travel service helping travellers go through the process of making a visa application. Visit our “Need a Visa?” page for more information.

Remember, many countries require entry clearance before you depart, so use our instant checker to ensure you know what is needed before you book your flights and accommodation.

Car Hire Assistant™ provides a price comparison service for car hire; search and book facility for seaport, hotel and airport transfers; a UK airport parking comparison service and a search and booking facility for tours, attractions, excursions and other things to do on holiday.

Prestige, exotic and sports car hire

As many of the largest, international car rental companies announce the addition of top of the range vehicles being added to their fleets, Car Hire Assistant offers a timely reminder that a full range of prestigious cars are available through its car hire comparison service. Many of the top rental companies utilise the services of price comparison sites, which means, because there are no restrictions of the vehicles offered, customers can elect to compare many of the rental companies side by side.

Recently, Hertz, Avis and Sixt have announced that they are adding a range of top models and performance cars to their fleets, in the UK and the USA, extending the range of options for customers looking for something a little unique or an exotic car. Vehicles available through these international suppliers include, but is not limited to the; Aston Martin DB9, Ferrari California, Porsche, Land Rover, Rolls Royce and Bentley. In addition to the international operators, Car Hire Assistant also has access to independent car rental operators, some of which offer a range of unusual, exotic and top of the range rental cars, by using a car rental comparison site, customers maximise the opportunity to find the perfect sports car or luxury brand, at the right price.

Car Hire Assistant also has access, in many locations to eco-friendly green cars and even electric cars.

About Car Hire Assistant

Car Hire Assistant can offers a fast and efficient car hire comparison service. Our search engine includes 550 suppliers, in 175 countries and with 30,000 rental locations. Therefore, we are confident that we can find you not only the best rental deal, but also, by comparing many rental operators, the best price for your hire car. It costs nothing to use our service, and there are no booking fees or surcharges for using our service, so why not give us a test drive using the simple car hire search form

Instant quotes on Facebook Page

Visit us for an instant car hire quote

Car Rental Comparison site, Car Hire Assistant™ , has gone live on Facebook, allowing users to receive an instant quote for car hire. Facebook has more than 800m active users and the opportunity to spread the message to Facebook users is overwhelming. The New Car Hire Assistant™ Facebook page for allows Facebook users to receive and instant price and to book a hire car, if they wish, without leaving their favourite social media site. The new Facebook Page and online search facility can be viewed here: Car Hire Assistant™ : Facebook Page

About: Car Hire Assistant™ 

Car Hire Assistant™ is a search engine with 550 suppliers, including many national companies such as, Hertz, Avis, National, Europcar, Alamo, Thrifty, Sixt, Budget and Enterprise, as well as independent rental companies. Operating in 175 countries and sporting 30,000 rental locations. Car Hire Assistant™ is a free service and nothing (no premiums, surcharges or fees) is added to the quoted price for the rental car. In addition,   recently added some additional ‘Travel Essentials’ for it’s users including; a comparison service for UK Airport Parking; an online search and quote facility for sea port, hotel and airport transfers and; a full service offering tours, attractions, excursions and things to do on holiday, with full activity descriptions and prices.

Tours, Attractions and Things to do with Car Hire Assistant

UK based car hire comparison site, Car Hire Assistant has announced that it has extended their portfolio of products that can be searched and booked on line to include tours, events, major attractions, dinner cruises, cruises, quad bike safari’s, no queue tickets, themed dinner events, 4×4 trails and a whole host of other things to do whilst on holiday. Visitors can browse and book Holiday Tours, Excursions and Events with Car Hire Assistant.

About Car Hire Assistant

Car Hire Assistant can offer you a fast an efficient car hire comparison service for business, leisure or pleasure. Our search engine includes 550 suppliers, in 175 countries and with 30,000 rental locations. Therefore, we are confident that we can find you not only the best rental deal, but also, by comparing many rental operators, the best price for your hire car. It costs nothing to use our service, and there are no booking fees or surcharges for using our service, so why not give us a test drive using the simple search form?

Car Hire Assistant for Airport Transfer and Shuttle Service

Car rental comparison site, Car Hire Assistant has introduced a new service comparison, allowing it’s visitors, who do not want to collect their rental car from the airport, to search for and view a range of options for airport, hotel or sea port transfer services. Services featured include private transfers, shuttle services, meet and greet services and minibus transfers, to and from the airport and/or sea port, irrespective of the destination.

Car Hire Assistant insist that only the most reliable providers of airport, sea port and hotel transfer services are used to guarantee  a high quality service and reliability. Visitors can compare the options online in the same way that they do for car rental and, if they like what they see, book instantly.

About Car Hire Assistant

Car Hire Assistant can offer you a fast an efficient car hire comparison service for business, leisure or pleasure. Our search engine includes 550 suppliers, in 175 countries and with 30,000 rental locations. Therefore, we are confident that we can find you not only the best rental deal, but also, by comparing many rental operators, the best price for your hire car. It costs nothing to use our service, and there are no booking fees or surcharges for using our service, so why not give us a test drive using the simple search form