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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask the capable women of Mumsnet for holiday disaster advice

57 replies

CreteTragedy · 15/08/2025 07:56

On holiday in Crete and it’s all been a bit of a nightmare so far. Less than 20 minutes after leaving the airport, I had an accident in the car hire vehicle swerving to avoid an oncoming scooter. It ended up in the vehicle needing to be recovered and a €140 taxi journey to our accommodation 90 minutes away. We arrived at 4am and were scrabbling around on the mountain in the dark trying to find the right villa. We almost let ourselves into another villa until we noticed the drying swimsuits outside.

I’m on day 3 of the 10 day holiday, and it’s apparent we won’t be able to stay here without a car. It’s a 40 minute walk up the mountain away from the town. We did a taxi trip on the first morning for groceries, but the taxi had no seatbelts. I felt awful for allowing my 12 year old son to ride without a seatbelt but felt I had little other options at the time.

The car hire company aren’t being very responsive. I’ve got a police accident and other paperwork, ready to start their accident process but so far, have not had the promised call back from the ‘manager’. I’d need to give them another €1500 damage deposit and travel back to their offices 90 minutes away to collect a replacement vehicle. I’m reluctant to authorise any more charges to my card until I know the extent of the original liability. I took out indemnity insurance separately but I’ll need to pay any cost up front. I emailed my insurer yesterday to start the paper trail.

The accommodation hosts haven’t been very helpful and just sent links to car hire companies. I haven’t seen them or heard from the at all in person. AirBnB have been better and are offering to cancel and refund unused nights. I’m checking if they can book a property that has availability now.

As it’s just me and my 12 year old, I’m struggling to keep it together. I feel isolated in the mountains without a car and I’m worried about the liability from the accident.

OP posts:
TizerorFizz · 15/08/2025 10:33

You can get to London airports from Bristol with better flight times. What insurance did you have on the car? Why not get another one from another company? It’s also an issue that you don’t have Abta. It’s not a package holiday so you are on your own. What’s the advantage of Airbnb over a standard package? Other than choice? I’d just do things differently in future.

Talipesmum · 15/08/2025 08:52

Sounds awful, huge sympathies. I agree that if you can move into Chania town you’ll be great - it’s gorgeous and easy to get around. Fingers crossed you find something. And perhaps you can get a taxi out to the car hire place before the end of the holiday to talk to them in person?

Original poster
CreteTragedy · 15/08/2025 08:19

I’m in Plakias and we flew into Chania airport. The late flights were simply due to flight availability from Bristol airport. I paid £2,500 approx for the villa and over £500 for the car hire, so definitely wasn’t trying to do anything on the cheap.

I’m hoping that AirBnB can move us to a property in Chania town. The location is gorgeous here with ocean views, but it’s just too remote without a car.

The car hire company aren’t much use at all. I just called them again to start the accident claim process, and was just told to come into the office before I fly home. When I started asking for confirmation of next steps in writing, by email, they said they couldn’t hear me and rang off. I’ve followed up by email for the paper trail.

OP posts:
TizerorFizz · 15/08/2025 08:09

Why not hire a different car from a different company? Why the huge deposit? Was this some local hire company and not a major name?

For future reference I’d not be taking flights landing at night and then driving to somewhere remote where you have no idea where you are going. It’s clearly a budget holiday but there’s too much that could go wrong. I’d try and get a hotel and hire a car from elsewhere. The hire company will contact you. I assume you were fully insured so they will get money from your insurance. I’d pack up and cut your losses.

ForWarmPeachBird · 15/08/2025 08:04

I would also try and move to a hotel or apartment wouldn’t you don’t need a car and then a transfer/taxi back to the airport.

TimeForABreak4 · 15/08/2025 08:01

Personally I think I'd be looking for hotels for roughly the same price as theyl refund so you are more central. Alot of villas in most places are more in the sticks to be honest unless you can find a central apartment that has a shared pool. You still have a week, it's saveable! If you do self catering you can jump in a taxi and take your shopping with you. Where abouts in Crete are you? Drop the guilt about your 12 year old, it's done now and he's safe.

DoRayMeMeMe · 15/08/2025 08:00

What a nightmare. To be honest, it sounds like you sort of have it already fully under control.

You’re going to move somewhere less remote, you’re in contact with the car hire company and the insurers.
It sounds like you are on top of this.

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