Coming to Chiang Mai for 5 days early August. Looking to hire a car, any recommendations? Had a good quote from Chic Rentals but they have a 30,000 baht theft excess which i wouldn't accept.

What is a “30,000 baht theft excess”?

Budget/hertz/national etc.

K Car Rental Chiang Mai.  Have used them multiple times the last few years.  Good price, nice cars & good service.  Their website is carrental-chiangmai.com (hope I'm allowed to put that here).  They are not located at the airport, however they can meet you at the airport or at any area hotel to deliver the car.

Thairentacar are doing a decent deal right now, check them out.

^ Yes, Thairentacar, AVIS, Budget etc. Have done them all, never an issue. Would stick with the big boys (book through a comparator like Skyscanner for deals). Works surprisingly well. They will all swipe your card on excess - typically 5-8k for standard cars. 

19 hours ago, Bill97 said:

What is a “30,000 baht theft excess”?

It is like what in the olden days was called a deductible, an amount you are responsible for before the insurance kicks in.  It is necessary to regularly change the names of things to keep the elderly on their toes.

21 hours ago, Bill97 said:

What is a “30,000 baht theft excess”?

It means if the car is stolen i pay the first 30,000 baht of the loss. Usually it's 5-8,000.

55 minutes ago, Henryford said:

It means if the car is stolen i pay the first 30,000 baht of the loss. Usually it's 5-8,000.

So because of a possible 30,000 baht cost for an extremely unlikely and largely preventable event you reject the deal.
 

30,000 does not seem high for theft

 

5-8000 seems right for damage waiver excess

1 hour ago, Bill97 said:

So because of a possible 30,000 baht cost for an extremely unlikely and largely preventable event you reject the deal.
 

30,000 does not seem high for theft

 

5-8000 seems right for damage waiver excess

Why should i take the risk when they are 4 x the standard excess level. Just booked with National, even lower rate and standard excess levels.

Just never rent from a company that demands to keep your passport. Some do.

Edited June 26, 20206 yr by thaibeachlovers

On 6/26/2020 at 9:09 AM, Bill97 said:

So because of a possible 30,000 baht cost for an extremely unlikely and largely preventable event you reject the deal.
 

30,000 does not seem high for theft

You don't have knowledge of or control over who has keys to the vehicle. Also check whether you're liable to pay the daily hire charge for each day it's off the road following a crash/theft.