Visiting Dubrovnik and planning to rent a car? It’s a fantastic way to explore Croatia’s stunning coast. However, when you rent a car in Dubrovnik, the base price often doesn’t include many optional extras. Car rental add-ons, such as GPS devices, insurance upgrades, or additional drivers, can increase your bill. In this guide, we’ll show you how travellers can save money on these extras. By the end, you’ll know exactly how to avoid unnecessary charges and get the best value from your Dubrovnik car rental.
Car rental add-ons are optional services or equipment offered by rental companies. In Dubrovnik, options may include GPS navigation units, child seats, extra insurance, or additional driver. The rental’s basic price usually covers the car, basic insurance, taxes, and a standard mileage allowance. Add-ons might seem small individually, but they add up.
For example, a GPS device might cost around €10 per day, and a child seat €8 to 15 per day. An additional driver fee is typically €5 to €10 per day. If you’re not careful, you could end up paying more for add-ons than for the car itself. Always read the rental agreement to see what is included and what is considered an extra. Being aware of these hidden costs in advance will help you decide which add-ons you need.
Some add-ons provide convenience, while others duplicate services travellers already have. The following strategies outline how to avoid the most common cost drivers.
One key to saving money is selecting only the necessary add-ons and avoiding those that can be managed without. Rental companies in Dubrovnik may offer some extras, but you should assess each one. Many car renters in Dubrovnik are tempted to accept add-ons out of convenience or uncertainty. Instead, plan ahead to see if you can bring your own solutions for some items.
An additional driver fee in Dubrovnik is charged when you add a second or third driver to the rental contract. In Dubrovnik and throughout Croatia, most rental companies charge a daily fee for each additional driver, typically ranging from €5 to €10 per day. This fee allows that person to drive the car and be covered by insurance legally.
To save money, consider limiting the driving duties to one person. Only add an extra driver if you need to split the driving time. Some companies occasionally offer promotions, but these are rare. If you have multiple people in your group who can drive, choose the one who meets all requirements to be the main driver.
Drivers under 25 years old or over 70 might face additional surcharges in Croatia. If one driver is younger, around 21 to 24, and another is 30, it’s cheaper to have the older person as the sole driver on the contract to avoid any young driver fee. Remember that anyone not officially listed as a driver should not drive the car; otherwise, insurance may be void.
Car rental insurance in Dubrovnik can be one of the priciest add-ons, but it’s also one of the most important. By default, rentals include basic insurance, such as a Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) with theft protection and third-party liability. However, this basic coverage usually comes with an excess (deductible) of around €1,000 or more. This means that if the car is damaged or stolen, you’re liable for roughly the first €1,000 of the cost.
At the desk, you’ll be offered additional insurance to reduce or eliminate that excess. These products are known by names such as Super CDW, zero deductible coverage, and personal accident insurance, and can add €15 to €25 per day to your bill. To save money, check the coverage you already have before purchasing additional insurance.
Many travel credit cards include car rental insurance as a perk, often covering collision damage. If you have such a credit card, you can confidently decline the rental company’s CDW, saving you the daily fee. Just make sure to understand the terms that credit card insurance usually covers damage to the rental vehicle (collision/theft), but not liability to others.
Additionally, if an incident occurs, the rental company will charge you for the damage (up to the deductible), and you will need to reclaim that amount from your credit card insurance later, provided you have proper documentation. If you decide to rely on your own insurance, be prepared for the rental company to place a hold on your credit card for the excess amount.
Fuel is another area where renters often overpay due to convenience. Car rental companies offer different fuel policy options, and choosing the wrong one can be costly. The most common policy in Croatia is full-to-full, meaning you receive the car with a full tank of petrol and you must return it full. This is the fairest policy because you only pay for the fuel you actually use. Some companies, however, may offer a prepaid fuel option or other arrangements that seem convenient but include hidden markups.
Always try to opt for a full-to-full policy. When you pick up the car, confirm that the tank is full. Before returning the car, fill the tank at a petrol station. Make sure to keep the receipt from the petrol station in case there’s any dispute about fuel on return. Also, be aware of refuelling fees. If you don’t refill and didn’t prepay, the rental company will fill the tank and charge you a hefty service fee on top of the fuel cost.
By now, we’ve covered the main add-ons, but here are some additional tips to ensure you save as much as possible on your car rental in Dubrovnik.
Renting a car in Dubrovnik gives you freedom to explore the Adriatic coast, but it pays to be smart about add-ons. Every additional driver, gadget, or service must be considered carefully. By using your own resources like phones and child seats, leveraging perks from credit cards, and planning your itinerary well, you can avoid most extra car rental fees. Always remember to read the fine print and ask questions if anything is unclear.
Rent a car in Dubrovnik with Final Rentals for a straightforward and transparent booking experience. Final Rentals is clear in terms of rental policies, so you know exactly what’s included before you book. Select Dubrovnik Airport as your pick-up location and choose the car that best suits your travel needs. Book, manage, and enjoy your car rental at any time. Download the Final Rentals app on Google Play and the App Store.
