Whether you need a small van or large van, or you need a van for 24 hours or several weeks, it can be a bit of a mine field when it comes to finding a suitable van to hire. However, as with most things now, there are a number of van hire comparison websites that have been created to help consumers find the most suitable and cost-effective van for their requirements. In this section of the Knowledge Centre, we will run through some of the key considerations for selecting a comparison website to help with your van search. We would recommend that you read our sister article ‘Van hire’ which gives a comprehensive run-through of all things to factor into your decision when hiring a van. Lastly… (and we promise we will get on with it soon!) you can find the most thorough list of van hire companies and comparison websites in the Logisto Directory. You can access that here.
Moving on to the important parts…
What services do van hire comparison websites provide?
A nice question to begin with. Van hire comparison websites provide you with a summary of the pricing and service levels of van hire providers. This can be a local supplier or a national provider, offering localised services. However, whilst they will all provide this service, the difference comes with the arrangements that some of the websites have directly with van hire providers. This can result in additional savings and benefits vs. the standard market service. They are able to do this as a result of volume that they can guarantee with providers. For this reason, we recommend you visit a couple of comparison websites to determine quotes before selecting your van hire company.
How do the comparison websites work?
The comparison website process is similar for all of them, going along the lines of:
Step 1: Upon visiting the website you input the key requirements for your rental. This includes which van size you require, where, the length of the rental etc.
Step 2: The website will (near instantaneously!) will check with their providers to see what prices can be offered for your search
Step 3: The quotes will be displayed, including additional information (see next section) about the provider and the hire. You should be able to toggle by your requirements, be that distance from you, price or something else
Step 4: Once you have reviewed the providers and are ready to select the company you wish to use, you follow the instructions through to the booking. Note: In nearly all cases, comparison websites do not own the vans themselves, they are 3rd parties that put you in touch with the companies that own the assets (the vans).
Step 5: You’re good to go….happy driving!
Ok, so it seems simple enough. So how do the comparison websites make money? Do I pay them?
No, you don’t pay the websites a penny. They make their revenue by taking a commission from the supplier of the vans.
Minor watchout: Since the comparison websites make their money from the providers they promote, it is always best to check how the results are displayed. For example, the first few might be promoted listings and therefore might not be the best deal for you, the consumer.
What should I consider reviewing the quotes?
Firstly, we would thoroughly recommend you visit our article on ‘Van hire’ where we go into great detail about these very considerations. You can do that here.
However, a few considerations that you should think about are:
How many providers does the comparison website search? If only a handful of companies are displaying results, then it is best to search additional sites, as you aren’t receiving a true reflection of the market
What is the insurance cover that is included? It is crucial to double check that the cover is suitable for your requirements (and the goods you are transporting). Handy tip: Like with car hire, van hire companies will often try to upgrade (upsell) you with excess insurance (so you don’t have to pay the excess in the event of damage). This is usually extremely expensive. We always source our own annual cover (for car hire as well!) and it can be as little as £39.99 for the year and it gives you piece of mind!
Remember to check over the state of the van when you hire it. Do a once over and take any photos and notes on any elements of scratches of damage to the van. Make sure the van hire company signs off on this before you drive away.
What is the fuel policy? Is it rent with a full tank and return with a full tank? This is best as it is easy to manage. Anything else can be a struggle and mean you could over fill the tank, costing you a lot in petrol.
When is the van hire company open? One that seems simple but catches out a number of people. Sometimes, the opening times are not suitable for your requirements. If you try to return the van out of ‘normal hours’ you can get hit with additional fees or even be charged for an extra day’s rental!
With all the above considered, you are hopefully now in a great position to hire your van, utilising one of the many reputable van hire comparison websites.
Which van hire comparison website should I use (we hear you say)?
Thankfully, we can help you there. The Logisto Directory has all the main comparison websites included in our database to help make your van hire journey that little bit simpler!
If you have any questions about this article, or would like to speak to the LOGISTO Team, then please do via the Contact us page. We love to hear from you.
Thank you and happy driving!
LOGISTO Team