FAQs

At Buggs we don't like using the word 'cheapest' we think it gives the impression of an inferior service, we prefer to say Buggs are the best value car hire 

When comparing prices it can sometimes appear that other companies are offering great deals. As always something that seems too good to be true...often is , consider extra charges on arrival, e.g. fuel, roadside assistance, the cost of extra requirements like additional drivers, child seats, cleaning, fuel costs and excess waiver cover...beware!

Promises of very low prices can sometimes appear for the more reputable companies, but sold through comparison websites or even the airline site you have booked your flight through. They will accept your booking, but what they fail to tell you is that the local rental company has no obligation to honour the booking if they consider the price too low. This usually ends very nastily, when bookings are not honoured by the local agent who will not make a car available...beware!

Prices offered by comparison and broker websites do not always show the true final cost as they are unable to show charges that are charged locally...beware! 

The Buggs policy is to offer a fixed price with no additional charges on arrival...and no nasty charges after you have arrived home! 

Our priority is personal service to the customer and to make the start of your visit to France a pleasant one

Good question!!!....obviously with all the speculation and conflicting advice available it is very easy to feel some trepidation as to what actually will happen when the UK does exit the EU.

Unfortunately, the only advice we can pass on at this moment in time is from the UK Government website https://www.gov.uk/guidance/international-driving-permits-for-uk-drivers-from-28-march-2019

Simply use the on-line booking form the on the front page of this site.

Follow the few easy steps through to the end.

Your reservation will then be confirmed once payment has been processed.

It is really that simple.....

Everything!!...there will be nothing more to pay

The price for your hire you see and pay is the final price, you will not be asked to pay more than this

Any optional items you may choose to add...

• additional drivers
• child seats
• buggs excess protection
• buggs tyre and glass protection
• buggs cancellation protection
• sat nav systems
• young driver supplement

You can choose these options when booking or when you arrive at the Buggs Desk

No, the deposit can be taken from either a Credit or Debit card.

It is essential that you bring a valid card with you as without a deposit the vehicle cannot be released for hire.

The current deposit is 250.00 euros and is taken as a pre-authorisation payment. If you have not accepted our Excess Protection, then you may be required to leave a larger deposit up to the total amount of the applicable Vehicle Excess.

This deposit is a pre-authorisation, its is not debited from the card and is released by us at the end of the rental (less any charges incurred, for which you will receive an itemised receipt). Your bank or card provider may delay this release, if this is the case, then you will need to contact them.

If you return the car 

• with any damage 
• not full of fuel
• dirty interior requiring extra cleaning
• loss of keys
• resulting motoring offences

then obviously you will be charged for any of these together with applicable administration and other associated costs

You can pay on-line by credit or debit card at the time of booking.

We recommend where possible that you use a credit card for payment (Mastercard or Visa) as this may offer you certain benefits. 

If you would prefer to be contacted by us by telephone for payment, then please request this by contacting payments@buggscarhire.com and supply a contact number.

We also accept payment by bank transfer, but we incur bank charges from sterling accounts which we will ask you to reimburse us. 

No...we accept payment by

• credit card
• debit card
• bank transfer

The security deposit taken at the desk prior to vehicle handover, can only be made using a Credit or Debit Card

At Buggs, we have managed to minimise additional young/old driver fees

Cars hired or driven by under 25 yr olds carry a Young Drivers Supplement of 15€ per day.

Our insurers will only allow under 25 yr olds to hire or drive a group A,B or C category cars

All drivers must have held a full driving licence for a minimum of 1 year

There are no additional charges applied to drivers of 70 yrs old and older

Included in the price of your car hire is Standard Vehicle Insurance.

Standard Vehicle Insurance consists of “Collision Damage Waiver“ (CDW) or “Fully Comprehensive cover" for the hirer and any additional drivers on the rental agreement.

This insurance cover is for damage to the hired vehicle, theft/vandalism of the vehicle and a comprehensive 3rd party cover, but will carry an insurance excess payable in the event of any claim.

The Insurance Excess on buggs cars groups are

• Small, Small Fun and Compact 1000€
• Compact Fun, Crossover, Crossover Auto, Estate, SUV and Utility Fun 1200€
• 7 Seater, Sports Fun and Vans 1400€

It is strongly recommended that you purchase a Buggs Excess Protection option, which reduces or eliminates the excess payable

If you choose the Buggs Excess Protection, payment of the relevant insurance excess, in the event of any damage or insurance claim, will be reduced by 75% to 25% of the excess. The Buggs Excess Protection does not include any damage to glass, wheels and tyres and vehicle undercarriage, for which the customer remains fully responsible and must reimburse Buggs in full

• 5€ per day

If you have chosen the Buggs Excess Protection Plus, payment of the insurance excess, in the event of any damage or insurance claim, will be waivered in full. The Buggs Excess Protection Plus does not include any damage to glass, wheels and tyres and vehicle undercarriage, for which the customer remains fully responsible and must reimburse Buggs in full.

• 25€ per day

If you choose not to accept either of the offered Buggs Excess Protection packages, then you will be liable to pay the FULL Insurance excess relating to the vehicle in the event of damage to the vehicle. The payment will be taken from the card provided as guarantee.

Tyre and Glass Protection cover is available and by paying the daily rate we will reimburse you fully for the cost of the repair or replacement due to accidental damage. You will need to produce valid invoices

• 5€ per day

If you have a 'Third-Party' Excess waiver Insurance, then you are liable to reimburse Buggs first and then claim back later through your thrid-party insurer.

If you do not have Excess Insurance of any kind, you are taking a huge risk, which could prove to be very expensive...not to be recommended!

Below is our damage repair price guide for 2019.

These are base prices and will be re-charged to the customer depending on make and model of vehicle.

Exterior Damage

Panel Price - Re Paint Only

• Wing from 330.00€
• Door from 290.00€
• Bumper F or B from 320.00€
• Bonnet or Boot from 290.00€
• Roof from 335.00€
• Door Mirror Paint from 110.00€

Panel Price - Dent and Re Paint

• Wing from 420.00€
• Door from 380.00€
• Bumper F or B from 410.00€
• Bonnet or Boot from 380.00€
• Roof from 425.00€

Others

• Aerial Replace from 55.00€
• Door Mirror Glass from 55.00€
• Door Mirror Replace from 220.00€
• Hubcap from 45.00€
• Wheel (steel) from 95.00€
• Tyre Repair from 35.00€
• Tyre Replace from 115.00€
• Wheel (alloy) from 235.00€
• Headlight from 190.00€
• Rear Light from 135.00€
• Windscreen Repair from 95.00€
• Windscreen Replace from 360.00€
• All other Glass from 220.00€

Vehicle Documents & Accessories

• Car Documents 45.00€
• Hi-Vis vest 15.00€
• Warning Triangle 15.00€

Additional Cleaning

• Interior from 70.00€
• Exterior from 35.00€

Boot

• Spare Wheel from 250.00€
• Tyre Inflation Kit 110.00€
• Rear Parcel Shelf from 210.00€

All prices are inclusive of TVA

Please note these items are NOT covered

Car damage or loss caused by, misfuelling, off-road driving, vehicle undercarriage, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, natural disaters (hail damage), demonstrations, riots or terrorist attacks, carrying of inappropriate equipement, liquids or materials, addtional un-authorised equipement such as roof or cycle racks, transmission failures/burnt-out clutch, replacement vehicle, excessive cleaning, failure to conform to our terms and conditions.

Buggs do not have any set opening hours...we are there for you when you want us

We ask you for your arrival time and filght number, that means...

• we will be there for the times agreed on your booking confirmation document
• we will also be there if your flight arrival is delayed

Unlike the other rental companies...

• we do not have 'out of hours bookings'
• we do not charge an 'out of hours' fee on arrival

When making comparisons with other rental companies, check the opening times to avoid disappointment and additional charges...beware

Yes...

• Buggs can deliver/collect from other local locations, obviously there will be a charge, please ask 
• Delivery and collection charges are based from the airports where the cars are located
• This service is not always available, especially during peak periods

At Buggs we are updating and increasing our fleet all the time

The models selected for our fleet are cars that have proved to be the most in demand from our clients

All our cars are purchased new and will be a maximum of a few months old with very low kms

Please go to the 'cars' page of this website to see the current models in each category

No not all the time...but we will try our best

Our bookings are taken by car group, not by model

If you have specific needs, i.e. large luggage, wheelchair, headroom etc, then please let us know and we will really try our best to provide the model you require, obviously, always subject to availability

Simple...

Buggs provide the car full and ask you to return the car full

We believe this the fairest method.

Other rental companies will ask you to pay for a full tank on arrival and return the car empty, this is a hidden charge as it is impossible to return a car empty!

If for any reason you do not return the car full, we will have to refuel the car and charge you the pump price plus a 40€ refueling fee. 

40€??!! thats a bit expensive!!...well its a deterrent really so that you don't forget to fill it up, which would be unfair to the next client  

Yes...

We have a wide range of quality car seats available for all ages and our prices are considerably less expensive than the other rental companies

For legal reasons we are not allowed to fit the chairs, it has to be you

Contact us if you have specific requirements

No...

All buggs cars already have them in 

Ask the Buggs Rep where they are located in your car

No...

Contrary to popular myth, these are not and never have been a requirement by French law

Contact us

Buggs are happy to make minor changes, where possible, to any booking, this may incur a small admin charge

If you need to cancel a booking refer to our 'terms and conditions' for the standard options, however we recommend choosing our cancellation cover you will see this option when completing your booking form

For the small fee of 20€ per hire this option offers a 95% refund or allows you to transfer to alternative dates, applicable up to 4 hrs before your agreed collection time

*Please note that this insurance does not extend to Covid 19 related cancellations which are covered by the French Governments Ordinance No. 2020-315.

All refunds will be made in euros to the debit or credit card used for the payment.

Buggs are not responsible for any card fees or currency fluctuations

the buggs desk at the airport

• At Bergerac you will find Buggs directly in front of you as you exit the Arrivals Hall
• At Biarritz we are located in the 'Car Rentals Village', a short walk from the Terminal 
• At Limoges Buggs are located in the car hire building directly opposite as you leave the Terminal
• At all our locations a Buggs Rep will be there to meet you and at the agreed time

check, sign and go!

• Please have the driving licences and passports of all drivers ready for checking at the Buggs desk
• The Buggs Rep will confirm the details of your hire, the condition of the car and the return details on your agreement 
• You will need a valid credit or debit card to leave the deposit
• There will be no attempt to sell you any add-on packages 
• Sign the form and you are on your way
• The whole process typically takes 5 minutes...at Buggs we don't do queues

returning your car

• It is important that you return your car as per the details printed on your agreement and as agreed with the Buggs Rep
• Please park your car in one of the allocated Buggs parking spaces in the returns car park 
• Upon your return a Buggs Rep will be at the desk to meet you and to take your keys
• The Buggs Rep will confirm that you have returned your car on time, that there is no damage and that it is full of fuel
• Should everything be in order, you will then be asked to sign the agreement and the contract will be closed
• If there are any charges due in relation to your hire, then you will be expected to pay these before you leave
• Your deposit is then normally released within 24hrs  

other locations

• Buggs can deliver/collect from other local locations, there will be a charge, please ask 
• Delivery and collection charges are based from the airports where the cars are located
• This service is not always available, especially during peak periods

All drivers need to present a full valid licence (no photo copies, sorry).

If you have a UK plastic card licence this only is required

The older style UK paper licences are also accepted 

The new DVLA code is not needed

Drivers will also need to show their passports/ID cards

Unlucky...

But the good news...we track flight arrivals and departures and will be there wind or rain, to meet you 

If you have a mobile phone with you please keep it on, as in exceptional situations (such as flight diversions), we may need to contact you

Buggs provide a pack in the glove box with all the relevant paperwork and contact details for such events

Buggs plan to open at other airports in France and demand is increasing year on year at Bergerac, Biarritz and Limoges

If you are looking to move down to this part of the world and fancy running a branch of buggs at a new location, then we would like to hear from you