We have the most comprehensive insurance cover on our rental vehicles in the marketplace.

Our fully comprehensive insurance covers any damage to the car you are driving. It also covers damage to any third parties, i.e. another car and it’s occupants and any damage to third party property.

Full roadside assistance, glass / tire repair or replacement (including any call out charges) – covered

Driving in N.Ireland – covered

So wing mirrors (very common) scratches, dents or bumps – covered

Very important to note the following:

With other rental companies where you have an accident or incident where the car is no longer drivable, whether it’s your fault or not, your rental agreement with that company will at that point, be null and void and revoked. They will not provide you with a replacement car.

Unless we see gross negligence, (DUI for example) we will provide you with a replacement car in the shortest possible time subject to location and logistics.

This is a big differentiator of our service and that of other rental companies.

Finally, our insurance is zero excess, zero deductible. There is no hold put on your credit card which means you won’t have any charge on you card in the event of any issue.

Our cover does not however cover you or any members in your party for personal injury. Please see next question.

We strongly recommend the purchase of a travel/medical insurance plan. We do not provide or include a travel insurance policy in our cost. However, if a member of the group suffers illness or is incapacitated, we will. Of course, undertake to assist fully & locate a qualified doctor, or the most immediate medical attention available.

In these cases, the extra costs are assumed by the individual client, including hospitalization if necessary. In the case of accident and/or necessary emergency evacuation, all costs are assumed by the individual client.

While it’s not an absolute requirement that you and all members of your party have comprehensive travel insurance cover we wouldn’t recommend you travel without this insurance in place.

Your policy of insurance should provide cover for personal injury, death, medical and repatriation costs in the countries which you intend to visit, together with cover for loss of baggage and valuables, personal liability, delay, cancellation, curtailment, missed departure and legal expenses.

We consider the following three areas to be driver negligence, where we cannot cover the associated costs.

Lost keys. If they have to be replaced or if you forgot to drop them back with the car (it happens) any costs will be debited to your card.

Putting wrong fuel in the vehicle (check before you drive off what type fuel your car uses. It’s generally shown on the fuel lid but if not ask the attendant) If you realise you have misfueled (car’s gonna stop/stall when you leave the petrol station) do not contact roadside assistance or Enterprise. In this case it is better to find a local service to drain the car. Ring us first to assist.

Burning out the clutch on a manual car. Please do not book a manual car based on price if you are not familiar with driving manual/stick. If you drive it like an automatic you will burn out the clutch within maybe 15 mins or 15kms from picking up the car. This is an expensive mistake. A clutch is either burnt out or not. It’s not going to be a case of “I got it with clutch burnt”. A car is not going to be returned with a slightly burnt clutch and if a clutch was burnt out prior to you sitting in the car you wouldn’t get out of the garage) Protestations won’t work in the case. It’ll cost you, unfortunately, up to €2500. If you don’t or haven’t driven a manual please chose automatic.

Depending on the location you will be offered Prepay – pay for tank of fuel and leave back empty.

Only chose if you know you are going to do enough kms to use a full tank during your rental. No refund if you leave back with anything other than near empty.

Full / Full – car is full on pickup and must be returned full.

Partially full – leave back with same fuel amount as in the car on pickup.

We don’t work with or accept credit card or third party insurance.

We know, that with our package, you are fully covered for all damage and expenses arising from any mishap while driving to the rental vehicle and any other third party damage.

Credit card insurance won’t cover all your costs if you are involved in an accident ( read the small print)

Generally, CC cover also requires a €5,000 hold on your card for the duration of the hire and should you have to make a claim, only when the issue is resolved will the hold on your card be released. You will be responsible for providing all documents required in respect of any claim, documents that can be difficult or may take several weeks to obtain from parties who don’t really care about your situation.

The following may be of interest: 

https://myirishcousin.com/rental-car-crash-story-insurance-nightmare/

If you are intent on using CC or third party insurance please don’t ask us to quote, we really are very busy

In most cases when you travel, you might pick up a rental on arrival at the airport but if you’re staying in Dublin for a day or two, do you really, I mean really need a car?

We don’t think so….

You’re effectively paying for the rental and parking it up while you stroll around the city. Parking isn’t easy to find and is not cheap even if your hotel has an agreement with a local car park.

Ok then you think, I’ll pick up the car at the airport when I’m ready to leave.

Going back out to the airport costs money and time! You’ll lose maybe two hours between getting there.

Our recommendation is: if you are staying a few days in town before travelling around the country, a pick up in one of our city branches is the way to go.

Chose the Dublin city option from the drop-down menu on the proposal form.

No. A broker or aggregator will simply offer a product and take a commission or discount on completed sales. We have developed our own product which we market exclusively. Our car rental package is the most comprehensive on the market and it’s equivalent cannot be purchased from Enterprise our preferred partner or any other agency. A broker will not be available before, during or even after a rental to assist you with any issues that may arise, car related or not. Our service and attention to you, our Cousin is unrivalled.

It’s unlikely the car will have onboard GPS. Even if it did, we would recommend you use Waze or Google maps on your phone for navigation.

In-car GPS and GPS unit software is rarely updated/current and won’t provide any live traffic information or updates on your routing ( road closures for example)

For this reason, we won’t supply GPS units. We consider them expensive, not very useful and something else to charge up. On view in unattended cars, a GPS can invite thieves to steal the GPS unit and more…

So, we recommend you have unlimited data on your phone as a minimum and use your phone to navigate efficiently while on vacation here.

Our cars are fresh and modern and will have USBs for charging and pretty much all will have Car Play for map display while driving.

You’ll probably want to stay connected with family and friends while you’re here, maybe upload photos to your social media accounts or ring ahead to confirm a reservation.

However you do it, you should have as a minimum, unlimited data. This covers navigation and social media and the use of voice apps such as Messenger and WhatsApp.

You have a number of ways of doing this. Three to be exact.

1.

An international package with your mobile provider.
I believe this way should cost about $10 a day. I’m not sure if you get totally unlimited data and I m not sure if all calls are free/included. I have read somewhere too that calls home are included in the package but not local calls… check to see exactly what’s included. It’s an expensive option when you have several people in your party looking to be connected and have the internet on the go

2.

If your phone is unlocked or can be unlocked (ask your mobile operator) purchase a local SIM card and install it on your phone on arrival. On our website, you can purchase for €20 plus postage. You’ll get unlimited data, unlimited local calls and texts AND International minutes.

3.

If your phone can’t be unlocked, probably because you’re still on contract with your mobile operator, rent a mobile phone for use while you’re here. Again you’ll have unlimited data, unlimited local calls and texts AND international minutes.

With a rental phone, you can connect or tether a number of additional devices ( up to 5). The devices can be other phones or tablets. ( not possible with the local SIM)

There is actually a fourth which is a mobile Wi-Fi unit.

However we’ve moved away from them.

We feel rental of a mobile phone is a better option. Our phones perform exactly the same function i.e connect several devices at once. The phone uses exactly the same SIM card as used in a Wi-Fi unit.

But the added benefit is that in addition to connecting several devices you can use the phone like..well a phone! To make local calls, local texts and some international call home.

Much more useful

No, I’m afraid not. Covid doesn’t allow us do that anymore as cars are now sanitized and it takes two people to deliver / collect a car.

It’s possible but not a given or guaranteed.

For non airport locations our partners Enterprise offer a collection and in some cases a drop off on return of vehicle.

Weekends and particularly busy periods may make it difficult or just not possible.

However give it a try…

You must be located within a reasonable distance from the branch (5km) Enterprise will have you phone number and may contact you in advance to discuss collection but the onus is on you to contact the branch directly at least 24 hours in advance. You will receive your order confirmation number and branch contact details in advance of your arrival to allow you to speak with the branch directly.

If you would like to request a lift to accommodation on return of vehicle you should request this on picking up the vehicle. Again it should be within a reasonable distance from the branch.

Please note that transport to and from accommodation is not guaranteed. This is a service provided when circumstances and logistics allow and does not from part of any contract with MIC or Enterprise.

Enterprise and MIC will at all times try to be as accommodating as possible but sometimes things are just not possible. For example, with Dublin city branches, because of rush hour and early morning traffic it won’t be possible to pick up before 1000 in the morning.

So if you’re going to have a leisurely breakfast a pick up should work (though see note above on weekends and busy periods) If however you want to get away at 0800 in the morning when the branch opens I’m afraid you’ll have to take a taxi.

All tolls can be paid as you go, with cash or card except the M50 toll.

The M50 is an electronic toll which registers the car’s registration plate. You must pay this toll either online or in a gas service station or convenience store before 8pm the following day.

Our partners Enterprise have recently introduced an in car toll payment tag. It comes at a cost payable directly to Enterprise. I’m not sure it’s a necessary expense but check it out to see if it suits you.

If you chose to take the toll tag device please note you’ll pay for the use of the device on pick up and the individual toll costs will be debited to your card at the end of the rental – it’s rental of device plus tolls

Check for this link for further information:

https://www.etoll.ie/driving-on-toll-roads/information-for-visitors/

In Ireland, manual transmission cars are quite common and are often the default option when renting a car[…] read more here 

For detailed guidance on selecting the perfect car size for your needs, including passenger and luggage considerations, check out our informative blog post Choosing the Right Car Size for Your Luggage Needs in Ireland. It’s packed with helpful tips to ensure you find the best car rental option in Ireland for your travel plans.

Hey! we’re always very happy to meet up with Cousins where time and circumstances allow.

We spend a lot of time in Dublin Airport where we now have an office or we can also be found wandering around in Dublin city centre.

We could have a cup of coffee or tea or whatever else you prefer (depending on the time of day)

Let us know in advance if you wish to meet with Cousin Rebecca or myself. If its possible we’ll do it.

Sometimes we bump into customers on holiday when we are out and about travelling too, so you never know!

Regardless of whether we meet or not we are always there for you. If you need us for anything during your visit just call or email. We’ll always get back to you

We require payment on signing the proposal in order to fix price and guarantee delivery.

Please note that, only when payment is received, is your car booked. Following payment, you will receive a couple of days later, a confirmation of your booking with all details and a booking number.

If you have not paid please do not arrive expecting a car to be available for you, it won’t be there 🥲

We request the full payment to secure the rates, and, also the vehicle, as we are in a shortage of cars in Ireland since COVID. 

You are entitled to a full refund if canceling the booking 7 days prior to your arrival. After that a fee of 70.00 euros will be discounted from your refund.

Where your license is legible in English an international driving license is not required. If you have any doubts or queries please contact us 

No – please don’t arrive with anything other than an official driving license. Paper/photocopies won’t work

I’m sorry but the answer is no. Our reservations are fixed term and prepaid and we do not receive any refund for you returning in advance of the contracted date. Use it or lose it!

We can organize an airport transfer from the airport to a city center hotel.

Our driver tracks your flight and is waiting for you in the arrivals hall. 

The price includes tolls, parking, and 60 minutes of waiting from aircraft arrival at the gate. This is usually enough to clear customs and collect luggage. 

Our drivers are friendly and professional.

They are booked to you approximately 40 minutes prior to pick-up time and will be tracking your flight. 

We can advise you which terminal and exactly where your driver will wait for you.

Note that there are cheaper options.

You could try either of the airport taxi stands.

There is one per terminal. Depending on the day/time this may involve some waiting.

Experience shows the cars/drivers are of varied quality but they would definitely be cheaper than us.

In Dublin the Freenow, Bolt, and Uber apps all use licensed taxis, not private cars. The quality of drivers and cars ranges from good to fairly grim but these should also be cheaper than ours.

Be careful when booking airport transfers online.

Even certain really well-known brands have no actual vehicles and auction out your booking. There is a track record of drivers being very late/not turning up which is an unpleasant start to your trip. Then getting your money back can be difficult.

There are airport buses. aircoach.ie and dublinexpress.ie  are two main ones serving Dublin city. The aircoach service covers more routes and is popular with locals so book ahead to reserve a seat.

If you wish to book with us simply email info@myirishcousin.ie with your flight details and a mobile number that will work in Ireland.

We will confirm we have availability and then confirm.

The cars are returned to our main office in Eastlands, only a 5-minute shuttle from the airport. As you are fully insured through us the process is pretty straightforward, no inspections, just hand over the keys and hop on our Shuttle to get your flight home.

The address for the return is Dublin Airport Eastlands Car Hire Facility, Cloghran, Swords, Dublin, Ireland K67W6K5. If you are using GPS just pop the EIRCODE K67W6K5 and you will get all details needed.

FROM M50: at Junction 3, follow the signs for “Airport”. Stay left. When approaching traffic lights, stay left following signs for “Car Rental”. Then take the second left signposted “Car Rental” & “Long-Term Red Car Park”.

FROM M1: at Junction 2, follow the signs for “Airport”. Take the last exit at the roundabout signposted “Airport”. When approaching traffic lights, stay left following signs for “Car Rental. Then take the second left signposted “Car Rental” & “Long-Term Red Car Park”.

FROM CITY CENTRE: Take the N1 North. Join M1 North signposted “Belfast” & “Dublin Airport”. Leave the M1 at Junction 2 signposted “Dublin Airport”. When approaching traffic lights, stay left following signs for “Car Rental. Then take the second left signposted “Car Rental” & “Long-Term Red Car Park”.

Those branches that do open on a weekend – Saturday and Sunday operate reduced or restricted hours.

If we confirm your booking it means the branch is indeed open at that time for pick up and return.

However like a flight, if you turn up hours after the agreed time on a weekend, it’s likely the branch will be closed.

This happens when people decide to “take a later train” or have a good night the night before and maybe don’t feel up to maintaining their itinerary.

We can do lots of things but we can’t get a branch opened because you didn’t turn up 🙂

Please keep to your schedule or maybe sure you let us or the branch know you ll pick up during opening hours if there is to be a change to your plans.