Hidden costs of visiting Cork bad for tourism

I recently visited home in Cork and was aggrieved at the ‘rip-off’ of hidden costs. I refer mainly to my hired car.

I paid €97.80 for the car for eight days and another €46 in advance as a damage-excess refund, to be refunded if I didn’t have an accident or damage the car. On arrival in Cork the rep said the insurance cover provided by the website on which I had booked wasn’t comprehensive. She gave me a well-rehearsed speech re the costs of damage to various parts of the car and advised me to take out further insurance, for €69. I paid €115 as extra insurance for the eight days — €14 per day. I have comprehensive insurance on my own car in the UK, for 59p per day.

Having taken €69 from my credit card for the comprehensive insurance, the girl informed me that I had to pre-authorise payment of €1,500 with my credit card, as I would be liable for the first €1,500 if I was at fault for any accident.