Terms and Conditions

Our rates include

Comprehensive insurance cover including public liability and third party insurance subject to an excess, unlimited mileage, 24hr road assistance and breakdown service, road licensing fees, routine vehicle maintenance and V.A.T.

 

Our rates exclude

Optional insurances, excess waiver options, Toll Management Fee, fuel supplied with the car, hire of baby seats, satellite navigation systems, out of hours service, vehicle delivery and collection service, special cleaning, other services and extras not included in our rates.


Car Groups / Models

First car rental offer a wide variety of makes within each car group or category. Vehicle makes & models used in the website are only an indication of the most likely type of vehicle supplied within the each car group however this is not guaranteed. First car rental guarantees that in case an alternative brand of vehicle is supplied, it will at the least have the same features and specifications of the category booked in terms of approximate size, air-conditioning, number of doors and transmission type. A free vehicle upgrade will be provided should a car within the confirmed category be unavailable at time of pick up.


Age Requirements

Our standard policy covers drivers aged between 25 and 70 years. A valid driving license held for at least 2 years must be presented at time of rental. Young drivers aged 21-24 years and mature drivers aged 71-75 years may be insured at a daily premium charge.


The Gold & Platinum Insurance packages listed below are not available for young or mature drivers so a minimum excess charge always applies.


Insurance Excess Amounts

Subject that a valid insurance policy can be enforced without exclusion, the renter’s financial responsibility is limited to the excess (deductible) amount specified in the rental agreement.

The excess charge is the portion of the total repair costs for which the renter is responsible. This is payable in the event of an insurance claim in all circumstances of damage, whether resulting from accident, theft, attempted theft, fire, hit and run situations, vandalism or other.


Renters are responsible for the excess amount of €1,400 on car groups A, B, BA, BP, C, CA & XC, €1,600 on car groups DP, DA, E, EA, F, FF & FA, €2,000 on car groups G, GA & H and €2,800 on car groups J, K & KK. 

 

In cases where damages are minimal and repair costs amount to less than the excess amount, the renter’s liability will be limited to the actual damage repair cost including any administration expenses, loss of use of the vehicle and other costs determined by the company at the time. The excess charge will not be payable if a Third Party accepts liability (in writing) for any damage or accident.


The vehicle’s insurance policy is subject to strict terms and conditions, most important of which are outlined below.

 

Silver Rental Package

With the Silver Rental Package the renter’s excess responsibility in case of any damage resulting from accident, vandalism, fire, theft or loss of the vehicle will be reduced to €400 on car groups A, B, BA, BP, C, CA & XC, €600 on car groups DP, DA, E, EA, F, FF & FA, €800 on car groups G, GA & H and €1,000 on car groups J, K & KK. 

 

Gold Rental Package

With the Gold Rental Package the renter’s excess responsibility in case of any damage resulting from accident, vandalism, fire, theft or loss of the vehicle shall be fully waived irrespective of car group. This package is not available on car groups J, K and KK.


Platinum Rental Package

The Platinum Rental Package is the ultimate solution for renters’ wishing to have full peace of mind. This package is not available on car groups J, K and KK.


Included in the Platinum package:

·         Full insurance with ZERO excess responsibility as in Gold Package, irrespective of car group. T&C’s apply.

·         Insurance for Wheels, Glass and Tyres (see below)

·         Personal Accident Insurance (see below)

·         Full waiver of administration fee payable should there be the need for an insurance claim

·         Free replacement car following an accident at renter’s own fault

Full waiver of charges for loss of use of vehicle following an accident at renter’s own fault


The Platinum package is not available for Groups J, K and KK.

 

Personal Accident Insurance (PAI)

This insurance is optionally available at a daily charge to cover the driver and passengers’ medical expenses in case of bodily injury including death, loss of sight, loss of limbs, permanent and/or temporary or partial disablement. The policy will pay according to the type of injury and on the basis of the benefit levels indicated in the policy. The cost of this optional insurance is subject to the rental agreement.

 

Additional Driver Insurance

This insurance is optionally available at a daily charge to cover more than one driver on the rented vehicle during the rental duration. All additional drivers must present their driving license at time of rental to be insured.


Wheels, Glass and Tyres Insurance (WGT)

This insurance is optionally available at a daily charge to cover the vehicle’s wheels, tyres, rims and glass components (windows, side mirrors, windshield etc...). The cost of this optional insurance is subject to the rental agreement


Fuel Policy

Rental rates quoted are with a “Full-to-Full” fuel option. Clients returning vehicles with missing fuel, will be charged a refuelling fee of €2.50 per litre + VAT. This includes the cost of the missing fuel.


TOLL MANAGEMENT FEE – MANDATORY CHARGE PER RENTAL

 

Clients will have to pay a Toll Management Fee of €18 inc. VAT per rental. The fee includes the Airport Location Premium Fee, Airport Parking on pick up and drop off as well as Valletta Congestion Fees (CVA FEES).

 

Payment requirements

Payment for car rental, fuel and extras is to be made by credit card or in cash prior to commencement of rental. The credit card holder must be present at time of pick up, to sign the rental agreement and must present valid photo identification (passport, identity card or driving license). VISA & Master card credit / debit cards are accepted. Maestro cards may not be accepted.


All charges paid through credit card may appear as First Car Rental or GO Hire Ltd.


Currency

All our rental charges and transactions are processed in Euro currency. The rate of exchange used to convert to Euro will be determined by your credit card company and may vary from the one advertised on our site at time of booking.


Security Deposit / Card Pre-authorisation

Renters are required to leave a security deposit as a guarantee against any loss, damage, road contraventions, late returns etc... The required deposit is equal to the excess amount carried by the vehicle’s insurance as stipulated by the rental agreement. A minimum deposit of €150 is required with all rentals. This deposit will be blocked on the renter’s credit card for a period of up to 1 month from start of rental. Pre-authorised amounts are unblocked automatically by the issuing credit card company.


Renters having insufficient funds to cover the required deposit guarantee will be required to purchase an insurance excess waiver in order to lower the financial responsibility and required security deposit.


Clients paying in cash will still be required to present a valid credit card as a guarantee and this may be swiped with a charge of 1 cent to confirm validity of the card. Non credit card holders will be required to leave a cash deposit equal to the excess amount. A minimum deposit of €150 is always required even for rentals having a zero excess. The deposit will be refunded by bank transfer within 4 weeks after termination of rental. Any bank charges for processing refunds of cash deposits will be at the renter’s expense.


Flight Information

Flight information is required for all airport rentals. First car rental will not be held responsible if a car is not prepared for a client on their arrival should the correct flight information not have been provided.


Late pick ups

Reserved vehicles will be kept for a maximum of 4 hours after the booked pick up time. If during this time the renter does not notify the company of a delay in collection of the vehicle, the booking will be considered a “no show” and the vehicle may be released to other clients. In such cases any deposit paid by the renter may be lost.


Early returns

Online bookings are sold at special offer rates with the condition that no refunds are given for early vehicle returns.


Late returns

Vehicles returned later than the time or place stipulated on the rental agreement contract, irrespective of the time of commencement of rental, will be given a grace period of one hour, after which a full day’s rental will be charged. Additional collection fees, administrative and out of hours charges may also be applicable if a vehicle is returned late without prior notice. The same clause will apply to rentals terminated at a different location than stipulated on the rental contract.

 

After Hour rentals

All rentals commencing outside of office hours (2030hrs-0800hrs) or on Public Holidays are subject to a one time “Out of hours” charge. This charge is clearly indicated on our booking process and/or your confirmation voucher.

 

Special offer rates and online bookings

Any bookings done through the First car rental website or any of its affiliate sites are priced at promotional, special offer rates, subject to the terms and conditions for online bookings. Online bookings made in advance enable the car company to allocate rentals efficiently and maximise vehicle utilisation, thus enabling lower rental rates.