FAQs

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.....

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

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

You can use either a Credit, Debit or most pre-paid card, but it must be in the principal hirers name.

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

The current deposit is a minimum of 500€ and is taken as a pre-authorisation payment, for under 25's and over 80's the deposit is a minimum of 1000€.

If you have not accepted our Buggs Excess Protection Waiver, 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).

Although we try to release the pre-authorisation upon the same day as your vehicle return, your bank or card provider may continue to delay this release, if this is the case, then you will need to contact them directly.

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

The good news is at Buggs you do NOT NEED A CREDIT CARD to hire a car, unlike all our competitors.

All types of payment cards can be used on-line to pay for your Buggs rental, we recommend where possible that you use a credit card for payment (Mastercard or Visa) as this may offer you certain benefits.

At the desk you will be asked for a card for the pre-authorisation payment, this is not really a payment but a temporary hold of the funds, which gets released by us upon your return.

The card must be in the principal hirers name.

You can use nearly any card* to make this pre-authorisation payment, it does not have to be the same card as used for the booking, as long as its in your name. It can be a Credit Card, Bank Debit Card, Currency Card, Pre-Paid Card, including the popular brands, Maestro, Monzo, Revolut, Ezzo and Caxton...to name but a few!

We are the only rental company to offer this service, another first for buggs, further simplifying the car rental process for you the customer...our aim is to keep it simple.

*The only card we cannot accept for the pre-authorisation payment is American Express, due to their prohibitive charges for doing not much at all!

At Buggs we do not have age limits, young or old, just that all drivers must have held a full driving licence for a minimum of 1 year

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

We make you aware of the additional cost, unlike other companies who will surprise you and apply this charge locally at the desk

Cars hired or driven by under 25 and over 80yr olds carry a supplement

• 15€ per day

Our insurers will only allow under 25 and over 80yr olds to hire or drive a group Small/Small Auto/Compact/Compact Auto category cars and the Buggs Excess Protection Waiver is not available.

You must present a physical valid payment card in the name of the principal hirer for the pre-authorisation deposit taken at the desk, this will be for a minimum of 1000€.

The Insurance Excess for the groups available are currently -

Small, Small Auto, Compact and Compact Auto -- 2400€

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

It is strongly recommended that you purchase Buggs Excess Protection Waiver or an Excess Waiver Insurance from a third party insurance company, which reduces the excess payable and your liability should things go wrong

If you choose the Buggs Excess Protection Waiver, payment of the relevant insurance excess, in the event of any damage or insurance claim, will be reduced by 75% of the applicable excess, this can be added at the time of booking or later at the collection desk

The Buggs Excess Protection Waiver 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

• Buggs Excess Protection Waiver - 10€ per day

If you choose not to accept the Buggs Excess Protection Waiver, 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

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 disasters (hail damage etc), demonstrations, riots or terrorist attacks, carrying of inappropriate equipement, liquids or materials, additional unauthorised equipement such as roof or cycle racks, transmission failures/burnt-out clutch, replacement vehicle, excessive cleaning, failure to conform to our terms and conditions. Your liability for damage to or loss of the vehicle will not be reduced where you or an authorised driver are grossly negligent.

The Insurance Excess on Buggs cars groups are

• Small, Small Auto, Compact and Compact Auto -- 1200€
• Crossover, Crossover/SUV,   Cross SUV/SW Auto and Utility Fun -- 1500€
• Sports Fun -- 2000€

For drivers under 25 and over 80 years old these Excess charges above are +100% and the Buggs Excess Protection Waiver is not available

Tyre, Glass and Keys Refundable Waiver is available and by paying the daily rate we will reimburse you the full cost of the repair or replacement. Cover extends to accidental damage to the vehicle glass (excluding lights) and the cost of the repair or replacement of tyres only (it does not apply to wheel damage or subsequent damage to steering or suspension for which the Customer remains fully responsible and must reimburse the Company in full) and the accidental damage or loss of keys and the replacement costs

• Tyre, Glass and Keys Refundable Waiver - 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 2025

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 410.00€
• Door from 420.00€
• Bumper F or B from 420.00€
• Bonnet or Boot from 480.00€
• Roof from 520.00€
• Door Mirror Paint from 160.00€

Panel Price - Dent and Re Paint

• Wing from 640.00€
• Door from 660.00€
• Bumper F or B from 610.00€
• Bonnet or Boot from 680.00€
• Roof from 665.00€

Others

• Aerial Replace from 75.00€
• Door Mirror Glass from 85.00€
• Door Mirror Replace from 320.00€
• Hubcap from 85.00€
• Wheel (steel) from 115.00€
• Tyre Repair from 55.00€
• Tyre Replace from 185.00€
• Wheel (alloy) from 285.00€
• Headlight from 290.00€
• Rear Light from 235.00€
• Windscreen Repair from 115.00€
• Windscreen Replace from 460.00€
• All other Glass from 320.00€

Vehicle Documents & Accessories

• Car Documents 100.00€
• Hi-Vis vest 25.00€
• Warning Triangle 35.00€

Additional Cleaning

• Interior from 95.00€
• Exterior from 55.00€

Boot

• Spare Wheel from 450.00€
• Tyre Inflation Kit 170.00€
• Rear Parcel Shelf from 310.00€

All prices do not include TVA

Buggs do not have any set opening hours...we are there for you when you want us and when your flight arrives...even the very late ones!

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

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

Cancellation Policy

Please note: Most bookings are non-refundable.

If you cancel your booking, you will generally not receive a refund of the rental charges paid. Instead, Buggs Car Hire offers the option to reschedule your booking to new dates free of charge, subject to availability.

How to Cancel and Reschedule:

You can cancel or reschedule your booking up to 48 hours before your scheduled rental start time by emailing bookings@buggscarhire.com.

If you notify us within this timeframe, we will reschedule your booking to new dates free of charge, subject to availability.

If you cancel less than 48 hours before the rental start time this will result in the full rental charge being applied.

FlexiPlus Option:

If you selected the FlexiPlus option at the time of booking, you may cancel your booking up to 5 hours before the agreed pick-up time, and we will reschedule your booking without charge, subject to availability.

Compassionate Exceptions:

We understand that unexpected personal emergencies can occur. In cases of bereavement (e.g., death of a close family member) or other serious and verifiable emergencies, Buggs Car Hire may consider a full or partial refund as a gesture of goodwill.

Please contact bookings@buggscarhire.com with relevant supporting documentation, and we will review your request compassionately on a case-by-case basis.

No-Show Policy:

Failure to collect the vehicle at the contracted date and time, without prior cancellation or rescheduling will be treated as a no-show, and will result in the full rental charge being applied.

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 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 a 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
• Please inspect your car and mark your rental agreement with any additional damage or faults 
• 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
• 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  

All drivers need to present a physical full valid licence (no photocopies or digital copies sorry).

UK plastic photo licence and older style UK paper licences are accepted

The new DVLA code is not needed

Drivers will also need to show their passports/ID cards

...and don't forget your card, in the hirers name for the pre-authorisation deposit!

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

We provide FREE Roadside Assistance in the rare case of a breakdown, unlike our competitors who will try and add this at extra charge at the desk when you arrive

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