Réunion Island, a stunning French department in the Indian Ocean, is known for its volcanic peaks, beautiful cirques, and scenic coastal roads. To fully enjoy its diverse landscapes, including the Piton de la Fournaise and the beaches on the west coast, renting a car is essential. However, tourists picking up a vehicle from Roland Garros Airport in Saint-Denis may encounter pitfalls such as hidden fees and unwarranted damage claims. By carefully preparing for the rental process—from booking to drop-off—travellers can avoid overcharging and ensure a smooth, enjoyable experience on the island.
The most effective defence against car rental scams begins long before you set foot in the airport. The goal of the booking phase is to establish a clear, transparent agreement that locks in the price and terms, leaving little room for ambiguity or unexpected charges at the counter.
Selecting a trustworthy rental provider is vital. You should prioritise agencies with a solid reputation. This means researching companies that have a physical, well-established presence in Saint-Denis and possess a history of favourable, recent reviews from genuine travellers on independent platforms. A critical step in this research is performing targeted searches using terms such as "agency name scam" or "complaint", which can reveal patterns of unfair practices that are otherwise obscured. You should also scrutinise the rental websites themselves; look for professionalism, secure connection indicators, and be wary of poor grammar or suspicious web addresses that attempt to mimic major international brands.
Once you identify potential rental providers, the next hurdle is thoroughly understanding the rental agreement. Carefully read the Terms and Conditions and pay particular attention to four critical sections: the details of the fuel policy,the mileage limitations, the insurance coverage, and the security deposit.
It is always advisable to opt for a "Full-to-Full" policy, which obligates the renter to return the car with a full tank of petrol or diesel, just as it was collected. This policy gives you control over the cost of fuel and avoids the exorbitant per-litre prices rental companies often charge for their prepaid fuel options.
Many companies offer unlimited mileage, but you need to confirm it to avoid extra charges. Unlimited mileage means you are free to drive a limitless number of miles during your rental period. However, you need to check the small print because there might be a hidden mileage cap.
Insurance is perhaps the most confusing and high-pressure part of the rental transaction. All rental cars are mandated to have Third-Party Liability (TPL) insurance, but aside from that, rental companies usually offer additional policies, such as Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) or Loss Damage Waiver (LDW), which come with an excess or deductible.
Before accepting any additional policy, you should clarify your coverage status. Many credit cards, particularly premium ones, offer some form of CDW or excess protection when used to book and pay for the rental. Similarly, travel insurance policies often include excess coverage. Knowing exactly what coverage you already possess enables you to politely but firmly decline the usually expensive insurance packages aggressively promoted at the collection desk.
Hidden fees are usually the primary source of frustration. Too often, the initial quoted rate is merely a base price.While the lure of the cheapest advertised price can be strong, often the agencies offering ultra-low rates rely on recouping their profit through mandatory, expensive add-ons at the time of collection.
You must obtain and review the full price breakdown before signing any agreement and giving payment. Ensure that the stated final price is inclusive of all mandatory local taxes, any airport or location surcharges, and any stated fees for extra services, such as adding a second driver or hiring supplementary equipment like a satellite navigation system or a child seat.
When paying the rental cost and providing the security hold, using a major credit card is strongly recommended over a debit card or cash. Credit card companies generally offer superior fraud protection and more effective mechanisms for disputing unfair or unexpected charges after the trip. It is essential to know the exact amount of the security deposit or pre-authorisation hold that will be placed, ensuring that the card's available credit limit can easily accommodate this amount to prevent last-minute payment issues.
Collecting the car in Saint-Denis is a critical moment where you must take proactive steps to document the vehicle’s condition. The main objective here is to gather indisputable evidence of any pre-existing damage, thus preventing the company from levying a false claim against you upon the vehicle's return.
Upon being handed the keys, you must dedicate time to conduct a thorough inspection of the vehicle, ideally with the rental agent present. You must document everything by taking high-resolution, clear photographs and a continuous video that captures the entirety of the exterior and interior of the vehicle. These photos and videos must clearly show the date and time stamp, which proves the vehicle's condition at the moment of handover.
You should focus on common "scam spots" that rental companies often target for bogus claims: the wheels and alloy rims, the windscreen and light clusters, the roof and sills, and the interior. Make sure not to miss any spot. Also, take a minute to check the vehicle's mechanics, including the functionality of the locks, all the lights, the air conditioning system, and the wipers.
After the inspection, you must cross-reference your findings with the rental company’s official damage report or check-out sheet. It is important to ensure that every single existing scratch, dent, scrape, and chip, no matter how insignificant it may seem, is explicitly noted and marked on the official document.
If the agent misses something, you must politely but firmly insist that it be added before proceeding. Once the document is complete, both you and the agent must sign it, creating a shared acknowledgement of the vehicle’s starting condition. This signed document is a vital piece of evidence.
Once the paperwork is signed and the keys are in hand, the focus shifts to protecting the vehicle against loss or damage that could lead to legitimate charges, ensuring adherence to the agreed terms.
Driving around Réunion is generally safe, but you should still be careful on the road to avoid accidents. Learn the local traffic rules and driving culture. Follow the speed limits and seatbelt rules. Always drive defensively and allow faster drivers to overtake you when safe to do so. Use the car horn to warn oncoming traffic on blind corners.
When visiting sites in Saint-Denis or venturing out to popular trails, always park in secure, well-lit areas, preferably those with some pedestrian traffic or monitored security. Crucially, never leave any valuables visible inside the car, as this is a major draw for opportunistic theft.
In the unlikely event of a breakdown, you must immediately call the rental company's 24-hour emergency roadside assistance number, which should be written in the rental contract. In the case of an accident involving another party, the most important priority is safety, followed by documentation. The standard European amicable accident report form should be completed at the scene with the other party. Detailed documentation, including names, contact information, insurance details, and numerous photos of the accident scene and damage, must be gathered to protect both parties from liability or future disputes.
Another important step is to diligently keep all fuel receipts, especially the final one taken just before the car is returned, as this serves as irrefutable proof of the tank’s level. Furthermore, understand the local rules regarding tolls and fines. If the rental company supplies a toll transponder, confirm the exact daily activation fee and any administrative fees they charge for processing tolls or traffic fines incurred during the rental period.
The return process is the final checkpoint where many renters are caught out by charges for fuel shortages or purported damage. The primary goal is to close the contract unequivocally and receive a signed document confirming the vehicle was returned in satisfactory condition.
A few steps just before the return can prevent common surcharges. If the "Full-to-Full" fuel policy was agreed upon, you must fill the tank at a station conveniently located a few kilometres from the drop-off point, saving the receipt as evidence. This will allow you to avoid the exorbitant fuel prices at the rental company.
Furthermore, while a rental car is expected to get dirty during use, excessive dirt, especially sand from the beaches or mud from the volcanic trails, can lead to an unexpected "special cleaning fee". A quick vacuum or wipe-down can easily circumvent this. You should also make sure that you remove any personal items from the car before returning it.
You must demand a final inspection, and under no circumstances drop the car and leave without a physical sign-off. Insist that a rental agent conduct a walk-around with you present. This ensures that the agent cannot fabricate a damage claim after you have left the drop-off location. As the agent inspects the vehicle, you should take a set of photos and videos again, specifically capturing the odometer reading, the fuel gauge, and the overall interior and exterior condition.
Most importantly, you must secure a final, printed, or emailed receipt or document that explicitly confirms the contract is closed and that no new damage has been noted. This final signed document is your most vital piece of evidence to counter any charges made to the credit card after you have left Réunion Island.
Rental security deposits are processed as credit card holds and can sometimes take several days or even weeks to clear, depending on your bank and the rental company’s processing time. Note the expected timeframe for the hold to be released before you leave the counter, and diligently monitor your credit card statement to ensure the hold is cancelled and the full deposit amount is promptly returned. If the amount is not released within the specified window, contact the company and your credit card provider immediately.
The unparalleled natural beauty and exhilarating driving opportunities of Réunion Island are well worth the planning required for a smooth car rental. By committing to the steps mentioned above—from researching the terms before booking to securing a final inspection receipt—you can take control of your rental experience.
Don't let rental anxiety slow you down! With these steps, you have the knowledge to secure a reliable vehicle. Go ahead and rent a car today to prepare for the adventure of a lifetime on Réunion Island! Book your rental vehicle via the Final Rentals website or mobile app, which can be downloaded from Google Play or the App Store.
