What Enterprise Rent-a-Car is and how to rent from them

Enterprise Rent-a-Car is a rental company with locations at airports, in city centres, and in suburban neighbourhoods across North America and Europe. Unlike some competitors, Enterprise does not require you to rent at an airport — you can pick up a car at a local branch near your home or workplace. You'll need a valid driver's licence, a credit card in your name, and proof of insurance (either your own policy or the rental company's coverage) to complete a rental.

The rental process starts when you reserve a car online, by phone, or in person. You choose your vehicle type (economy, mid-size, SUV, truck), your pickup and return dates, and your location. Enterprise will quote you a daily rate plus taxes and fees. On pickup day, you arrive at the branch, show your licence and credit card, review the vehicle's condition on a damage report, and drive away. When you return the car, staff inspect it for new damage, check the fuel level, and calculate your final bill.

Enterprise's pricing varies by location, season, and how far in advance you book. Rates are typically lower if you reserve weeks ahead rather than days ahead. Weekend rentals often cost more than weekday ones. If you belong to a loyalty program, hold a corporate account, or have a membership with certain organisations, you may receive a discount.

Key Takeaways

  • Enterprise has local branches as well as airport locations, so you can rent near your home without paying airport surcharges.
  • You need a valid driver's licence, a credit card, and proof of insurance — either your own policy or Enterprise's coverage — before you can rent.
  • Your final bill includes the daily rate, taxes, fuel charges if you don't return the car full, and any damage fees or tolls incurred during the rental.
  • Booking further in advance usually lowers your daily rate, and weekend rentals typically cost more than weekday ones.
  • Enterprise's damage waiver and roadside information are optional add-ons that protect you if something goes wrong, but they increase your total cost.

Insurance and damage coverage options

When you rent from Enterprise, you are responsible for any damage to the vehicle during your rental period. You have three ways to cover that risk: use your own auto insurance, purchase Enterprise's damage waiver, or decline coverage and pay out of pocket if damage occurs.

Your personal auto insurance may already cover rental cars — many policies do, though some exclude rentals outside your home country or rentals of commercial vehicles. Before you rent, call your insurance company and ask whether your policy covers rental vehicles and what your deductible would be. If it does, you can decline Enterprise's coverage and save money. If it doesn't, or if your deductible is very high, Enterprise's damage waiver becomes the cheaper option.

Enterprise's damage waiver (sometimes called a Loss Damage Waiver or LDW) removes your financial responsibility for collision damage, theft, or vandalism. The cost varies by location and vehicle type but typically ranges from a few dollars to twenty dollars per day. If you decline the waiver and the car is damaged, Enterprise will charge you for repairs — potentially hundreds or thousands of pounds. Some credit cards offer rental car coverage as a cardholder benefit; check your card's terms before you rent, because this coverage may eliminate the need for Enterprise's waiver.

What happens if you damage the rental car

Enterprise inspects every vehicle before and after your rental. At pickup, staff will show you any existing dents, scratches, or interior damage and document them on a damage report. You should walk around the car with the staff member and point out anything you see — this protects you from being charged for damage that was already there. Take photos of the vehicle's condition if you can, especially if you notice significant wear.

If you damage the car during your rental and you purchased Enterprise's damage waiver, the company covers the repair cost and you pay nothing beyond your waiver fee. If you declined the waiver, Enterprise will charge you for repairs. The company will contact you after you return the car if damage is found, provide an estimate, and bill your credit card. If the damage is severe enough that the car cannot be rented out while repairs happen, Enterprise may charge you for lost rental income as well.

If the car is stolen or declared a total loss, the same logic applies: the damage waiver covers it, or you pay the vehicle's full value. This is why the waiver is worth considering if your personal insurance doesn't cover rentals.

Fuel, mileage, and additional charges

Enterprise's rental rate covers the car itself, but not fuel. You have two fuel options at pickup: you can prepay for a full tank at Enterprise's fuel price (usually higher than a petrol station), or you can rent the car empty and return it full at your own cost. Most renters choose to return it full because petrol stations charge less than Enterprise does. If you return the car with less fuel than you started with, Enterprise will charge you for the missing fuel at their rate, which is significantly more expensive than filling it yourself.

Mileage is usually unlimited on Enterprise rentals in the UK and Europe, though some special rates or vehicle types may have mileage caps. Check your rental agreement to confirm. If your rental does have a mileage limit and you exceed it, Enterprise charges a per-mile fee, typically between 15 and 30 pence per mile depending on location.

Other charges that may appear on your final bill include tolls (if you used toll roads), parking fines or traffic violations (if you received them during the rental), late return fees (if you kept the car past your agreed return time), and young driver fees (if you are under 25). Some locations also charge for additional drivers, GPS units, or child seats. Ask about these fees when you book so there are no surprises at checkout.

Returning the car on time and avoiding late fees

Your rental agreement specifies an exact return date and time — for example, 5 p.m. on a Friday. If you return the car after that time, Enterprise charges a late fee. The fee structure varies by location, but typically you pay a partial day rate if you are a few hours late, and a full day rate if you are more than a few hours late. Some locations charge an hourly rate for the first few hours of lateness.

To avoid late fees, return the car with enough time to spare. If you think you might be late, call the branch where you rented and ask whether you can extend your rental. If the car is available, Enterprise will extend your agreement and adjust your bill. If the car is already reserved for another customer, you cannot extend, and you will incur late fees.

When you return the car, staff will inspect it for damage, check the fuel level, and print your final receipt. Review the receipt before you leave — if you see charges you don't understand, ask the staff member to explain them. Once you leave the branch, disputing charges becomes more difficult.

Enterprise's roadside information and breakdown cover

Enterprise offers optional roadside information that covers towing, lockout service, fuel delivery, and jump-starts if the battery dies. This is separate from your damage waiver and costs extra — typically five to ten pounds per day depending on location. If you already have roadside information through your personal auto insurance or a membership like the AA, you do not need to purchase Enterprise's version.

If you break down during your rental and you have Enterprise's roadside information, you call the number on your rental agreement and Enterprise arranges a tow truck or repair service. If you don't have roadside information and the car breaks down, you are responsible for calling a tow truck yourself and paying for it. Enterprise is not liable for mechanical failures unless the failure was caused by a defect Enterprise knew about before you rented the car.

Before you rent, check whether your personal insurance or membership organisation provides roadside cover. If it does, bring proof of that coverage with you — you may not need to buy Enterprise's version.

Loyalty programs and discounts

Enterprise offers a loyalty program called Enterprise Plus that tracks your rentals and provides discounts on future bookings. Membership is free, and you earn points toward free rental days or discounts each time you rent. If you rent frequently for work or leisure, joining Enterprise Plus reduces your long-term rental costs.

Enterprise also offers discounts for corporate accounts, AAA membership, military service, and certain professional organisations. When you book, you can enter a discount code or corporate account number to lower your rate. Some credit cards and travel memberships (like hotel loyalty programs) also include Enterprise discounts. Before you book, search for any discount codes you might be may have access to to — they can save 10 to 30 percent on your rental.

Weekend rates and seasonal pricing also affect what you pay. Renting on a Friday or Saturday typically costs more than renting on a Tuesday or Wednesday. Renting during school holidays or summer months costs more than renting in winter. If your travel dates are flexible, you can save money by renting on less popular days.

What to do if something goes wrong during your rental

If you have an accident, breakdown, or other problem during your rental, contact Enterprise when ready using the number on your rental agreement. Enterprise has a 24-hour customer service line and can arrange roadside information, a replacement vehicle, or guidance on what to do next.

If you are in an accident, do not admit fault to the other driver. Call Enterprise, provide them with the accident details, and let them handle communication with their insurance company. Take photos of the damage, get the other driver's contact and insurance information, and ask any witnesses for their contact details. Enterprise will guide you through the claims process.

If the car breaks down and you have roadside information, call Enterprise and they will arrange a tow truck. If you don't have roadside information, you can call a tow truck yourself and ask Enterprise to reimburse you if the breakdown was caused by a vehicle defect — though this is harder to prove and Enterprise may dispute it. Keep all receipts and documentation if you think you have a claim.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I rent a car if I'm under 25?

Yes, but Enterprise charges a young driver fee (typically five to fifteen pounds per day) if you are under 25. Some vehicle types may not be available to drivers under 21. Check the age restrictions when you book — they vary by location and vehicle.

What if I need to return the car early?

You can return the car early without penalty. Enterprise will refund the unused days to your credit card. Call the branch where you rented to confirm they can accept an early return, especially if you are returning outside normal business hours.

Can I add another driver to my rental?

Yes. Additional drivers must have a valid licence and be listed on your rental agreement. Some locations charge a fee per additional driver; others include one additional driver free. Ask when you book or at pickup.

What if I get a parking fine or speeding ticket during my rental?

You are responsible for any traffic violations or parking fines incurred during your rental. Enterprise will contact you with the fine details and bill your credit card. The company is not liable for these charges — you incurred them by parking or driving illegally.

Can I rent a car for someone else to drive?

No. The person whose name is on the rental agreement must be the one who picks up and returns the car. That person is legally responsible for the vehicle and any damage or violations. You cannot rent a car and hand the keys to someone else.