I got ripped off by one of the big car hire companies at Dublin airport. They charged my credit card in sterling and carefully folded the receipt so I couldn't see the statement "Euros converted to sterling at payers request" or some such similar phrase. I'd made no such request. The exchange rate they charged was considerably in their favour.

They can't refuse to accept it - all they are saying is that the first £1k or so is uninsured. So when they ask about it, just say you accept the risk, front up the deposit on a credit card and drive away, no need for any discussion about whether it's insured or not.

Note that you were ripped off buying the cover via holiday autos as well.... similar cover is available on the open market for about 1/2 the price. I've just bought an annual policy which cost only a couple of quid more than 10 days, for about 60% of the HA price for 10 days cover!

I have always used car4hire insurance to cover the damage waiver and excess. A few companies have tried to dismiss it but I have always insisted and they have always backed down. The policy even covered my domestic insurance excess. So when SWMBO pranged my car and a claim had to be made I got my excess back through the policy. No problems at all. Give it a try. Good luck. Concrete

They'll want a credit card off you for the excess deposit, Budget was 1350 euros when I was there.

They will offer to swap it to sterling, but its probably a rubbish exchange rate, you choose.

You almost definitely won't get the size car you book, we have booked 5 times now at Dublina nd never get what you actually ask for, they will give you the usually rubbish about it beign busier then expected. It's just a lie.

All the cars seem to be owned by someone else, none of the brands there in most cases as they are just generic cars, no extra bits of info in them for where you hired from. The cars will likely have dings on, the sheet won't say they do (like everywhere really).

Most places do a full to full tank if you ask if you haven't already booked as that. Lastly there is a toll road near the airport when you go into Dublin (in fact there is a lot of toll roads), make sure you pay the toll and have proof of it.

Apart from that its the usually sardines approach, as many in and out as possible with the added joke that you pay a premium for "on terminal" car hire when you actually get a bus for 10 minutes to get to the car hire place place (where they all are). Not in the terminal if you ask me but that's my opinion, I expect in the terminal to mean you get the keys at a desk in arrivals and walk to the car.