Car Rental FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions about Car Rental
Are you wondering something about renting a car or the rental process itself?
We have collated common car rental questions from our customers, as well as our professionals' answers to them.
Should you still have questions, don't hesitate to contact your local Avis representative or Avis Finland. See our contact information
Choosing and renting a car
Usually, you can book a car by car group. You will see an example car representing the size and body style of the car you'll get. However, we cannot guarantee a certain brand. You can also choose the extras, like navigator or child seat, for your rental car.
Do you want to know more about our cars? See our fleet
Unfortunately, only one renter can have one car at time, because the renter is also the main driver of the car. This means that your previous rental has to end before you can pick up your next rental. If the customer has one or more overlapping rentals, we are entitled to cancel one or more of them.
The minimum and maximum ages to rent a car vary by country and by car group.
In Finland, the person renting a car must have their driving license valid for at least one year - other age limits do not exist. Some countries may charge an extra fee for young drivers. In Finland, this extra fee does not exist. The minimum age can also depend on the car you are renting, being higher for large cars and luxury models.
In some countries (excluding Finland), a maximum age may exist or drivers over 70 might face an extra fee.
We recommend you check the country's specific terms and conditions or ask our Service Centre for more information.
Extras
The available winter equipment depends on the rental country. Please check if winter tyres or snow chains are needed in your rental country in the country specific terms and conditions or ask our Service Centre.
In Finland, our cars have winter tyres at least between November and March, depending on the weather. In North Finland, winter tyres are in use for a longer time than in the south. If you need winter tyres outside these dates, please let us know in advance. If you pick up the car in South Finland but plan to drive north, let us know about it so that you will have the right tyres under your car.
All available extra equipment and services depend on the rental country and location. The easiest way to see available extras is to start renting at Avis website where you can see the available extras after choosing your location, dates and car. You can also read more about our extras on our website, in Terms and Conditions of the rental country or ask our Service Centre.
Child seats, booster seats and baby seats are available in most locations. In Finland, they come with Isofix.
Roof racks and boxes are unfortunately not available in every location and not available in Finland, for example.
Unless agreed otherwise, only the person whose name is on the rental contract can drive the car. The main renter is also always responsible for the car.
Payment
You can pay for your rental car when you book it online (by using the 'Pay Now' option) or upon collection.
Please note that Avis Finland only accepts credit cards (Visa, Master Card, Amex) as method of payment. We will reserve a deposit on your credit card even if you had paid online. Depending on your bank, the deposit will be freed in one to four weeks after the car has been returned and we have inspected it.
Even if you have already paid for your rental online, you must still bring your credit card when you pick up your hire vehicle. This must be in the same name as the main driver, and the same card used to create your booking.
The driver must present their credit card when they pick up the rental vehicle, even if they have already paid for the rental online. The credit card must be in the same name as the main driver, and the same card used to create the booking.
In some countries, two payment cards from different credit companies may be required at the counter for higher-value vehicles. You can check this under country specific terms and conditions or ask our Service Centre. This is also highlighted in your booking confirmation.
When renting a car, we will charge a deposit. Usually this sum is equal to one tank of fuel or a certain percentage of the rental. This is a deposit hold by your bank, and it will be freed when the hire car has been returned with a full tank and in good condition. Depending on your bank, the deposit will be freed within two to four weeks. The deposit will vary depending on the country.
Collecting your rental car
You can find the address, contact information and opening times of your location in your booking confirmation or on our website.
Please be there at the right time, so we have time to prepare the car for you. Many locations are Meet & Greet locations. This means that they are not manned all the time, but we will be there only to hand over and to receive cars. Thus, if your collection or returning time changes, please let us know.
Please note that if you are late for collection without letting us know, we have the right to cancel your reservation and give the car to the next renter after a reasonable waiting time. If you arrive by plane, let us know your flight number and we will monitor if any changes occur.
When you pick up a rental car, have the following with you:
- Avis reservation number
Our reservation number has six numbers, two letters and two numbers. - Valid driving license
Both the renter and any additional drivers must present their valid driving licenses at collection. Without a driving license, we cannot give you the car. - Passport or other valid identification
Prepare to prove your identity at collection. - Credit card
A credit card is needed even if you have paid for your rental in advance. We will reserve a deposit that will be freed after the vehicle has been returned. A debit card is not permitted for this.
Yes, you will always get your rental car with a full tank.
You have three fuel options:
- Return the car as it was, that is with a full tank.
- Pay for the fuel beforehand, so you don't have to refuel.
- Pay for the fuel afterwards and we will take care of refuelling. This is the most expensive option.
If you have a full-electric car, you will get it with at least 70% charge and should return it the same way to avoid extra costs.
Insurance cover and excess
All our cars have mandatory insurance. However, the amount or excess (or the sum of money the renter has to pay in case of theft or damage) may vary based on the booking country and channel.
Excess is the maximum sum of money that the renter has to pay in case of theft or damage with no third party involved.
The excess will be charged from you only if something should happen to the car during your rental. The excess stated is the maximum, meaning that the charge may be smaller dependng on the extent of damage and costs of repair. Typical cases when we charge the excess could be a deer collision, broken windshield or if you hit a pole in the parking garage.
The excess will not be charged if a thrid party pays for the damage. For example, if another car hits you when you have the priority, the damage will be covered by that driver's motor vehicle insurance.
The amount of excess varies by car group. You can even reduce it down to €0 with our Additional Cover services.
The basic cover included in the rental fare may vary by country. We recommend you always check your country specific terms and conditions to see what is included in the fare.
When you make the booking on our website, the basic cover is always included in the fare. It contains motor traffic insurance as well as basic damage and theft cover, with a excess that varies between 1,200 and 4,000 euros depending on the car group.
If you reserve your rental car from a third party, like a travel agency or another retailer, you must check with them what their basic cover contains. The content may also vary in different Avis countries. For example, car rental reservations made in the US do no necessarily contain any cover but the renter is responsible for the full value of any damage to the car.
In addition to basic cover, you can purchase additional cover for an extra fee that reduces or eliminates your excess. Additional cover may also include other safety and assistance services.
Returning your rental car
- Return the car to the location and at the time stated in your rental agreement.
Please note that exceeding the rental period may result in additional charges. - Check you have collected all your belongings from the car.
Make sure that nothing is left in the glove compartment, door side pockets, seat back pockets or trunk. - Check the car's tank or battery is full.
You must fill the car's tank at least to the amount it was at the beginning of the rental (usually full). You must fill the battery of an electric car at least 70% full. The driving battery of a hybrid car does not need to be filled, only the fuel. An additional fee and fuel costs will be charged for a low tank or battery. - Check there is no damage to the car.
If the car has been damaged during your use or a non-urgent warning light has come on, please notify us as soon as possible upon return or by email if the office is closed. This way we can check the car and fix any problems before the next user. - Leave the car in the parking space marked for Avis or in another designated place. Return the keys to the office or its key box.
You will have received instructions for returning the car when you picked it up. You can also find a return map for most of our offices, instructions on parking spaces and returning the keys, on our website. Check them out.
Please note that in some offices (e.g. Helsinki city centre Kamppi), returning the car outside the office's opening hours may require parking on the street in a paid parking lot. In this case, it is your responsibility to ensure that the car is in a permitted parking space and paid for until our office opens and we can pick up the car. The customer is responsible for parking fines until the branch opens.
The key is usually returned to our office/desk. If you return the car when the office/desk is closed, the office usually has a locked key box where you can leave the key. Please make sure that you return the key to the correct place and do not leave it accessible to third parties. Please note that not all locations can be returned to when they are closed. Therefore, please return the car no later than the time stated in the contract so that we are open and can serve you as agreed.
Instructions for returning the key can be found in the information for each location.
Unfortunately, we do not provide confirmation of successful return of the car.
If you do not hear from us, everything is fine.
If you are unsure, you can call our customer service or the location and ask. You can find the contact details on your rental agreement.
Your rental receipt will be ready 48 hours after the car has been returned and the rental has ended. If you have returned the car while the location is closed, the 48 hours start when the location opens and receives your car.
The quickest way to find your receipt is on our website. To download your receipt, you will need your rental agreement number or reservation number and the last name of the booker. Please check that you are using the last name under which the car was booked.
Please note that we may not be able to provide a receipt for bookings made through third parties (e.g. travel agencies and other retailers).
Unfortunately, we are currently unable to automatically send your receipt to your email address, but you can download it from our website.
