Have you heard the one about rental cars? "What's the difference between a 4x4 and a rental car? In a rental car you can go anywhere." In fact, if you've ever read the terms and conditions of a standard car-rental contract, you'll know that just isn't true. Take Bidvest Car Rental's contract, which includes this: "The vehicle may not be used on any surface other than a tarred road, unless authorised by Bidvest in writing." And here's the kicker: If you do take the rental car's tyres off the tar and have an accident, you're responsible for "any loss, theft or damage" to the car, in full. Most consumers have absolutely no idea just how financially catastrophic renting a car could be, if things go wrong. There's a widely held misconception that you buy "insurance" when you hire a car and that the "policy" protects you from financial liability - in much the same way as your own motor-insurance policy. In fact, the car-rental industry does not insure its vehicles: the companies "self-ins...
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