Four figures. Different jobs.
| Figure | What it means | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Hire charge | The charge for the agreed car and period. | Mileage, tax, delivery and other inclusions. |
| Security deposit | Money paid or held under the operator’s deposit terms. | Amount, payment method, deductions and release conditions. |
| Insurance excess | Potential responsibility under the relevant policy and hire terms. | Applicable events, exclusions and whether reductions are offered. |
| Agent commission | Payment for the agreed sourcing work. | Rate, calculation base, payer and completion event. |
A refundable deposit is not automatically part of the cost of the trip, but it can still affect the funds or card capacity required. It is not necessarily equal to the insurance excess. Never infer one figure from the other.
A published example, with its conditions.
The following is a dated UK operator example, checked on 4 October 2026. It is not our quote, inventory, supplier endorsement or an indication of current availability.
| Published example | Rolling month | Three months, upfront | Listed deposit |
|---|---|---|---|
| McLaren 570S Coupé | £7,000 | £15,500 total | £3,000 |
The operator lists 2,000 miles per month, insurance, maintenance and VAT; minimum age 25. Its deposit figure is shown with a reduction waiver. Delivery and policy/excess details need separate confirmation. Read the original terms and prices before using this example. Our commission is not included.
The lesson is to compare complete periods. Multiplying a daily rate into a yearly estimate or dividing an upfront package into a “monthly price” can hide the actual commitment.
See how the commission changes the total.
This illustration assumes the commission is calculated on the hire charge you enter. Your actual agreement may use a different base. Deposits, extras and any applicable tax on the fee are excluded. The figures are not a vehicle quotation.
Excludes deposit, extras and any applicable tax on the fee. No payment is taken.
Why two seemingly similar quotes differ.
The model and specification are only part of it. Exact dates, length of hire, location, mileage, driver eligibility, delivery and the operator’s conditions all affect what a useful quote looks like.
For a fair comparison, send the same brief to each source. Record what is not stated, and resolve it. A blank insurance-excess field is an unanswered question; it is not a zero.
- Use the exact start and return dates, not just “a weekend”.
- Specify the destination and expected distance.
- Ask whether the shown price includes relevant taxes.
- Separate compulsory charges from optional extras.
- Record what happens if the nominated model is unavailable.
- Compare the total for the same period and conditions.
Where the £5,000 minimum fits.
Our service begins with enquiry budgets of 5,000 in GBP, EUR or USD. For hire, that is the planned spend for the complete hire period before our commission and other separately explained costs. It is not a statement that every hire costs at least that much.
A £20,000 budget might support different possibilities for different cars, dates and destinations. It does not establish a particular duration or secure a car. We review the brief, explain what can be investigated and agree the work before proceeding.
A few questions.
Is the deposit included in commission?
The calculation base is agreed for the engagement. Do not assume the deposit forms part of it; the illustration on this page excludes it.
Will negotiation pay for the fee?
It may affect the overall outcome, but we do not guarantee a saving or that the commission will be offset. Compare the complete agreed cost.
Does a WhatsApp enquiry commit me to a charge?
No booking or payment is made through this website. The scope, fee and any separately authorised costs are agreed before work begins.
Sources & perspective.
Editorial guidance by By Marque. Manufacturer and operator information is identified below. No first-hand group test or commercial relationship is implied.
- PB Supercars — published long-term hire termsChecked 4 October 2026 · Public operator examples only. No commercial relationship or availability is implied.
