Hi, im in England. Petrol prices here are also higher than the USA for example.
I hired a car in Ireland in June. I was recommended to buy the insurance via a price comparison site, Money Maxim. You can get car hire insurance just for the 2.5 weeks. This was MUCH cheaper than taking the hire company’s policy.
Also, I reserved a hire car thru booking.com …… other forums would work equally well…… ensure there is full, free cancellation…… then re-check the prices every now & then.
I re booked 4 times, & the price reduced each time. You can set up email alerts on some sites too.
In the Uk, there is a great app called petrol prices.com. …… you put in any UK address, & it will show cheapest petrol stations nearby, by price order or distance order.
Prices can vary enormously, from rural areas to cities, & avoid filling up at motorway service stations at all costs!!! the mark up is HUGE, 20-40p per litre more expensive.
Oh, & we drive on the left of course….nothing you can do about that, lol!!