Holiday Autos Chief Executive to step down

26th October 2010 - It was announced yesterday that

Holiday Autos chief executive Brian Murphy is to leave the business on November 12th 2010.

Brian Murphy, who is also an executive board member of lastminute.com, is said to be leaving the company to "pursue a new career challenge".

From 15 November, vice president of partner marketing Alistair Rodger will lead the Holiday Autos business as well as retaining his existing responsibilities. Brian Murphy will not be directly replaced.

Lastminute.com chief executive Ian McCaig said: “Brian has led Holiday Autos through some of the most turbulent times the automotive and car rental industries have ever seen. Additionally, the competitive landscape changed considerably over the years with many new players seeking to challenge Holiday Autos leadership in leisure car rental.

“Safe to say, Brian leaves Holiday Autos positioned extremely well for the future.”

Brian Murphy added: “My time here at lastminute.com and Holiday Autos has been immensely rewarding. The experience I have gained at senior management level in B2B and B2C markets has equipped me to handle the increasingly complex and demanding challenges that face businesses on a daily basis.

“I wish lastminute.com and Sabre all the best and will watch with interest as their future success unfolds.”

For More information about Holiday Autos Car Hire Motorhome Hire Van Hire CLICK HERE

ProtectYourBubble car hire insurance now on insurance4carrental.com site

Great news for anyone wanting to buy car hire excess insurance. The car hire insurance promotional site insurance4carrental.com is now promoting Protectyourbubble.com produts

This means there is an even greater choice with Seven major providers advertising their car hire excess insurance products, one provider advertising motorhome / campervan hire excess insurance and one provider marketing their van hire excess insurance.

Protect your bubble Car Hire insurance is underwritten by White Horse Insurance Ireland Limited (a Thomas Cook Group Company) and administered on their behalf by Questor Insurance Services Limited who are authorised by the Financial Service Authority.

Protect you bubble’s Car Hire Insurance is available to anyone renting a car with a value less than $80,000, who is aged 21 - 84 and has an internationally recognised full driving licence. If you live in the UK or Ireland cover in your home country is included and we have an option to allow rentals that start close to your home.

There are two products to choose from:

A Daily policy insuring a single car rental agreement up to 180 days in length or;
An Annual policy insuring unlimited car rental agreements in the year up to 31 days per rental.

With Protect your bubble Car Hire Insurance, for as little as £2.37 a day or £38.09 a year you can cover the excess on the car rental agreement up to £2,000 in any one claim or £3,000 in total each car rental agreement.

To find out more pay a visit to the Protectyourbubble.com advertising page HERE

Questor car hire insurance offers savings at jml

Customers purchasing Questor Car hire insurance before the end of December 2010 will qualify for a 10% discount if they purchase on line using a dedicated link from a jml Insurance / insurance4carrental.com website.

Questor car hire excess insurance is offering a generous ten percent discount off the price of their car hire excess insurance products, provided the customer purchases through a dedicated link on insurance4carrental.com, jml-insurance.co.uk or jml-property-insurance.co.uk.

Visitors to these insurance marketing sites will find the Questor insurance page and a dedicated promotional offer code that they insert once they have landed on the Questor site via the dedicated link.

Questor insurance has been promoted on the jml insurance advertising product sites since 2008 and in August Campervan Insurance from Questor was also added.

Philip Suter of jml Insurance said "We are delighted to be able to promote this discounted product on our sites and of course like any insurance product being advertised, the client is re-directed to the insurance company's web site and all dealing are between customer and insurance company"

"The autumn is a much quieter time in the travel business and deals like this from companies like Questor can only benefit the general public when there is so much doom and gloom about not only in the UK but in many other countries"

Non-UK residents are eligible to purchase Questor Car hire excess insurance so it is good news wherever you live.

Apart from Questor Car hire insurance, jml also promotes insurance4carhire, dailyexcess.com, Essential Travel, iCarhireinsurance and Odyssey and insuremyvanhire.com Currently there are discounts as well on some of the insurance4carhire.com products if the customer purchases via the link on insurance4carrental.com, jml-insurance.co.uk or jml-property-insurance.co.uk

Holiday car rental bookings on increase

Carrentals issued a Press Release on 13th October 2010 saying 7 and 14 Days Holidays Using Car Hire is on the Rise Regardless of Economic Pressures. Car hire comparator shows increased bookings in 3rd quarter holidays. Leading car hire comparison site, Carrentals.co.uk, has revealed their findings on third quarter holiday car rental bookings, which has shown an increase, regardless of any economic pressures in the UK.

Compared against figures of the same period in 2009, hire car bookings for 7 days accounts for 22% and 14 days is 8%, both showing an increase of 1% during July, August and September.

The results show that tourists are reducing the two or three day holidays and spending an additional few days (4 or 5 days holidays) for their mini breaks. There was a 3% increase, up to 17%, for 4 and 5 day car hire bookings, whereas over the past 12 months, 2 and 3 day holiday bookings have dropped 2% to 18% for the total amount of rentals being booked.

Carrentals.co.uk Managing Director, Mr Gareth Robinson said, “Even though the economic climate is still in tatters, Brits are still heading to the continent for some late summer sun, as our results prove with one and two-week hire car rentals being on the increase. People who go on holiday like to relax and take their time to soak up the sun and see the sights, so less are choosing to stay just 2 or 3 nights, and more often these days, they are staying for 4 or 5 days”.

He added, “Getting away from the hiked fuel costs and cuts from the government, having time to relieve stress and chill out, seems to be the reason. With our help, consumers can check the best prices for hire cars and collect some great offers”.

The car hire comparator, Carrentals.co.uk, provides the best deals from major companies such as Alamo, Sixt, Holiday Autos, Budget and Auto Europe. More details can be found at carrentals.co.uk.

Hertz Car Hire launches new iPhone application

Hertz Car Hire issued a Press Release yesterday - Tuesday 19th October 2010 that they have launched a new iPhone application and self service kiosks across Europe.

Hertz Europe announced plans to accelerate its adoption of self service technology by rolling out Self Service Express touch screen kiosks from NCR Corporation (NYSE: NCR) at selected locations across nine countries in Europe for all customers (not just members-only) who have prepaid for their rental. This announcement comes as Hertz launches a free reservations application for the iPhone in 18 languages for customers in Europe.

The Hertz iPhone application, which has already enjoyed widespread popularity in the U.S., allows customers to make reservations, save their Hertz #1 Club member number, search and find nearby Hertz locations, save favourite locations and receive special promotions via their mobile devices. The Hertz iPhone application is available for download on hertz.co.uk/app

Similar to an airline check-in kiosk, the Self Service Express touch screen kiosk is a reservation-based system that collects the customer’s personal information and identifies the customer’s reservation. It then completes the rental car pick-up process, sending the customer on his or her way quickly. In addition, the solution allows Hertz customers to select and purchase upgrades, optional insurance and waiver products, fuel options and add-ons such as child seats and the Hertz NeverLost® in-car satellite navigation system.

The Self Service Express Kiosks complement the Hertz Worldwide Online Check-in program, which allows customers to begin the check-in process in the comfort of their home or office before they travel.

“Hertz offers customers a wide range of options currently unrivalled in the car rental industry to help them get on the road faster. With Worldwide Online Check-In, #1 Club Gold, and now Self Service Express Kiosks and a comprehensive iPhone reservations platform, Hertz continues to lead the industry in innovation for customers,” said Michel Taride, President, Hertz International.

An NCR study, conducted by BuzzBack Market Research, shows that around 69 per cent of Europeans would be more likely to choose a travel provider that offered them greater control over managing their entire travel experience using self service solutions. This includes searching for, confirming or making changes to car rental as well as flight and hotel bookings.

“Consumers are demanding more control over how, when and where they interact with travel providers using multiple self service channels,” said Theresa Heinz, General Manager, NCR Travel. “The convergence of web and touch screen technologies helps to cut queues and ensures consumers are able to make last minute modifications to their bookings so they can get on with their holiday or business trip without delay.”

The kiosks use a highly reliable Common Use Self Service (CUSS) software platform that has already been adopted by many airlines to enable customers to check-in quickly and easily for their flights. NCR is also providing Hertz with comprehensive hardware support services, including remote management and helpdesk assistance on a global basis.

The Hertz Self Service Express Kiosks are already available at the following airports in Europe: Bergamo Orio al Serio, Milan Linate, Milan Malpensa, Rome Ciampino, Rome Fiumicino, Pisa (Italy); Edinburgh, London Heathrow, London Stansted, Prestwick (UK); Malaga (Spain); and Frankfurt Hahn (Germany). Further roll-out plans are underway in Belgium, France, Germany, the Netherlands and Switzerland. The company also plans to enable the kiosks to accept non-prepaid tariffs in early 2011.

Information about the research

NCR commissioned BuzzBack Market Research to conduct this survey online among more than 1,500 European respondents in March 2010. The results form part of the NCR 2010 study on consumer use of multichannel self-service solutions. BuzzBack LLC is a leading international market research firm headquartered in New York City.

Source: Hertz Car Hire

Don't forget whenever you rent a car make sure you have your car hire excess insurance. If you hire a car several times year why not take an annual policy. They only cost from around £40 a year. Find out More Here

How Irish car hire companies are not improving Irish Tourism

How Irish car hire companies are not improving Irish Tourism

Car hire insurance question for visit to South Africa

The following came through on the alerts from "get satisfaction - Community-powered support for Confused.com"

Question:
"Hi
My girlfriend and I are looking to rent a vehicle on our holiday to South Africa next year.. Most Rental companies have a excess of about £600.00

I have noticed that you offer car rental excess insurance cover. I was wondering if that caver extends to rentals abroad, ( like in South Africa) so could I yake out a axcess insurance cover with yourselves, and be safe in the knowledge that I'm covered in South Africa God forbid anything happens?? and Lastly if you do Offer Such Service, what would the costs be..
Many Thanks PJ

Confused.com Customer Support, Official Rep, replied
"Hi PJ

The car hire excess (available here: .confused.com/car-hire-exce...) is provided by Questor insurance; as they're an affiliate of Confused.com, you'd need to contact them directly after you've had your quotation so that they can answer any further questions that you might have. They can then confirm any extra conditions that might be in place for your insurance policy if you are abroad."

insurance4carrental replied "There are five providers including Questor who advertise on the insurance4carrental.com site www.insurance4carrental.com "

insurance4carrental.com has a great guide "Driving in South Africa" full of usefull information when you hire a car or motorhome / campervan in South Africa. Find out more HERE

October Car Hire Insurance discounts are here

Views of New England, USA in "the fall" - (autumn) mean it is time to take a fly drive holiday.

Those people whi will be holidaying in an exotic worldwide destination and driving are not only lucky enough to be escaping the seasonal blues in northern Europe, but
they can also make some savings to put towards that naughty and nice Christmas list.

Car hire excess insurance specialist Insurance4carhire.com has announced that it will be lowering the cost of its annual Worldwide policies from £65 to £52 from 1st October an amazing 20% discount!

Follow this link for more information - http://www.insurance4carhire.com/index.asp?linkfrom=4&curID=1&langID=1&refID=188

Don't forget to renew your annual car hire insurance

It is one thing taking out an annual car hire excess insurance policy and another making sure it is up to date.

I received two remiders from insurance4carhire.com in September saying our "Anuual Europe Family and Partners 31 Policy" expires on the 28th October, 2010.

I decided to renew it today as the letter warns that "Letting your policy lapse could leave you exposed to costly insurance premiums and hidden excess charges whenever you rent a car. But if you renew your policy by October 28 2010, you'll stay protected - which could you save you thousands if a car you rent is damaged or stolen".

You can buy the policy up to three months in advance which is good if you want to renew early like we do every year. The Annual Europe Family and Partners 31 Policy costs £79.00 per year.

We used to buy two standard Europe 31 Annual Policies and save around £19 by getting the combined one. This policy offers cover for 2 Policy Holders, who must be family members (defined as spouse, partner, parent, brother, sister, adult child or fiance), travelling together or separately.

At the insurance4carrental.com marketing site there are several insurance providers being advertised. insurance4carhire.com - dailyexcess.com - Questor Insurance - Essential Travel - Odyssey and Icahireinsurance. They all offer great products, but we took out our original car hire excess insurance several years ago and they were the only company offering such a product.

Today apart from those advertising on the insurance4carrental.com site where prices start around £1.94 a day or £40 for an annual policy there are a lot of "players" in this market to choose from.

The renewal process only took a couple of minutes and I was able to pay on line by credit card and download and print off the insurance documentation straight away. Very easy.

Insurance4carhire offer Winter Savings

6th October 2010 Press Release from insurance4carhire
"Winter saving with insurance4carhire"

Insurance4carhire offers 20% discount on Worldwide policies ready for the winter months.

As the days get darker and the weather changes from bad to worse, the light at the end of a very wet UK tunnel could be the opportunity to travel abroad this winter. Those holidaying in an exotic worldwide destination and driving are not only lucky enough to be escaping the seasonal blues, but they can also make some savings to put towards that naughty and nice Christmas list.

Car hire excess insurance specialist Insurance4carhire.com has announced that it will be lowering the cost of its annual Worldwide policies from £65 to £52 from 1st October an amazing 20% discount!

This time limited offer will be available through to 31st December meaning those who will be hanging their Christmas stocking over a foreign fireplace can ho-ho-ho-ld on taking out expensive excess insurance policies with car hire operators. The fantastic policy saving offered by Insurance4carhire.com can be combined with peace of mind that customers will be protected from excess penalties that could potentially be swiped from their credit card.

The Worldwide policy covers excess on damage to the rental vehicle including the undercarriage, excess on theft, and damage to windows and tyres. All policies are valid for 12 months and offer convenience, and now more than ever, even better savings. Insurance4carhire.com also offer customers a European excess policy and US car hire policy meaning they are covered no matter where they travel.

Source: insurance4carhire

Find out more about this winter offer HERE

insurance4carhire lowering price of worldwide car insurance

Insurance4carhire.com are now running another price promotion on their

"Annual Worldwide Excess Insurance"

Starting today the usual price of £65.00 has been reduced by £13.00 to only £52.00.

Back in July this year they started promoting their Annual Europe policy at £39.20 instead of the normal £49.00. The good news is you can still buy it at £39.20 if you follow the link below and arrange to buy either of these discounted policies (plus all their other ones as well).

http://www.insurance4carhire.com/index.asp?linkfrom=4&curID=1&langID=1&refID=188

Don't go renting a car now without taking out a car hire excess insurance policy.

Holiday Autos launch new advertising campaign

According to a report at "Travelmole"

Holiday Autos has launched an online advertising campaign aimed at reaffirming its position as a key player in the car hire market.

The campaign will include key takeovers on Yahoo and TripAdvisor.

There will also be a promotion running simultaneously on the Holiday Autos homepage offering customers booking during the campaign period a 5% discount on 2011 bookings.

Head of marketing at Holiday Autos Hema Nagar said: “Our aim is to reaffirm our position with new and existing customers.

"We want to remind them that we are a big player in the car hire market and that they can trust our service and expertise."

For more information about Holiday Autos the largest leisure car hire company in the world Click Here

Odyssey Car Hire Insurance featured provider

Odyssey Car Hire Insurance featured provider October 10

Every month for the rest of 2010 we are featuring one of the car hire insurance, van hire insurance or motorhome insurance providers who advertises on http://www.insurance4carrental.com/ For October we are featuring the Odyssey Car Hire Excess Insurance Cover .

Odyssey is a relatively new provider of car hire insurance. They are now one of the UK`s leading online excess insurance provider, giving business and leisure travellers the best deal to easily insure their car rental Excess insurance, thus avoiding paying out additional monies (Excess Waiver charges) to your car rental company.

In May 2010 jml Property Services started to promote the Odyssey brand on the insurance4carrental.com site and at the time of the promotion Greg Holmes of Odyssey said "We are delighted to have insurance4carrental.com as an affiliate and wish them every success with the busy summer car hire market ahead."

Later in May Odyssey Car Hire Insurance became the Latest Addition to the Moneymaxim Car Hire Insurance Search Engine. Greg Holmes at Odyssey Car Hire Insurance Ltd said of the partnership with moneymaxim: “As a relatively new car hire excess insurance provider, adding ourselves to the burgeoning list of insurance providers on the moneymaxim car hire insurance search engine makes perfect sense. Moneymaxim consumers will be able to see the wider benefits Odyssey Car Hire Excess Insurance offers and use it to make an informed choice.”

Odyssey insurance policies are written under licence by Isle of Man Assurance Limited ("IOMA"), of IOMA House, Hope Street, Douglas, Isle of Man, IM1 1AP, British Isles. IOMA is registered in the Isle of Man, Company No 003792C. IOMA is authorised by the Isle of Man Government Insurance and Pensions Authority. IOMA is not subject to the same regulatory system as that applicable in the United Kingdom. Holders of policies issued by IOMA will not be protected by the United Kingdom Financial Services Compensation Scheme if IOMA should become unable to meet its liabilities. IOMA is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority (FSA Register Firm Ref No 142307)

To find out more details about the costs of the Odyssey Car hire Excess insurance products Click Here