While extras often double the price, research from iCarhireinsurance found that extras such as sat nav hire, super theft waiver and children’s car seats could push prices far higher.

It compared the costs of hiring a compact car in five European destinations – Tenerife, Nice, Faro, Larnaca and Barcelona. It showed that hiring a compact car with Budget in Tenerife this May half term (26 May to 2 June) had a quote price of £75 for the week. However, this rose to £634 when extras were added.

These ‘extras’ include £61 for an extra driver, £91 for sat nav hire, £73 for a child’s car seat, £152 for a young driver, £85 for super damage waiver, £67 for super theft waiver and £30 for tyre and windscreen excess cover.

The research also found that the average ‘starting damage excess’ – the amount a driver may have to pay if the car is damaged even if it isn’t the hirer’s fault – is now over £1,000 in each location. The highest is in Faro where the average excess is £1,393, followed by £1,174 in Nice, £1,065 in Tenerife, £1,030 in Larnaca, and £1,026 in Barcelona. The average ‘starting theft excess’ is also over £1,000.

Drivers can protect themselves by taking excess insurance, which pays out to cover this cost. This costs £30-£40 per year.

Ernesto Suarez, CEO and founder of iCarhireinsurance., said, “Hiring a car has become like booking a flight. There can be so many added extras that by the time you have booked everything you need, the original deal you found may not be as good as it first seemed. It’s essential to check the price of the extras you will need before booking, and see what you can book in advance, or take with you, so you really can make the most of some of the deals available.”