Please take reasonable care to answer all the questions honestly and to the best of your knowledge. If you don't answer the questions correctly, your policy may be cancelled, or your claim rejected or not fully paid. The offers compared on this page are chosen from a range of products we can track; we don't cover every product on the market...yet. Unless we've indicated otherwise, products are shown in no particular order or ranking. The terms "best", "top", "cheap" (and variations), aren't product ratings, although we always explain what's great about a product when we highlight it; this is subject to our terms of use. When making a big financial decision, it's wise to consider getting independent financial advice, and always consider your own financial circumstances when comparing products so you get what's right for you.
Compare car hire excess insurance
Need cover for your hire car? Save hundreds on excess insurance for UK and international car hire.
Compare car hire excess insurance providers in 30 seconds
Updated October 18th, 2019
What's in this guide?
- Compare providers for car rental excess insurance
- What is car rental excess insurance?
- How much does it cost?
- What type of damage is usually covered?
- What options do I have for reducing car rental excess?
- Car rental excess insurance vs travel insurance
- Liabilities you need to be aware of when renting a car?
What is car rental excess insurance?
If you rent a car and it’s damaged, lost or stolen, you’ll be charged an ‘excess’ by the rental company (the amount you have to pay before the insurance cover kicks in). It’s typically several hundred pounds. Car rental excess insurance covers this amount so you don’t have to pay it.
Buying car hire excess cover from your hire car company can cost £100 more per week than getting it from a third party provider before you go, so it’s really worth looking for the best deal.
What type of damage is usually covered?
Most policies will cover you for the following types of damage;
- Multi- and single-vehicle accidents
- Cracked or damaged windscreens
- Overhead damage
- Cracked or damaged lights
- Damage to the car undercarriage or wheels
- Damage to bumpers and trim
What else will I be covered for?
- If the vehicle is stolen while you have it
- Cost of returning the vehicle to the nearest car hire location if you’re unfit to take it there
- Repair cost of value of luggage and personal effect that are stolen, accidentally damage or permanently lost. Maximum payment will be applied.
How much does it usually cost? While prices will vary between car insurance companies, the cost of car rental excess cover can be anywhere from £4 to more than £20 per day. It’s particularly worth considering if you won’t be able to afford the excess charge set by your car hire company following any damage. You typically have three options Many travel insurance policies will offer car rental excess insurance as a built-in feature on both domestic and international policies. The decision of which option to go for will really come down to your own situation and what you want to be covered for. Here are some points on how the two compare: Standalone car rental excess insurance Car rental excess insurance on travel insurance brands The points above show that the decision on what cover to take out really comes down to your own situation. Both options present both benefits and disadvantages to different travellers. It’s worth comparing both options and reading the conditions of each cover closely before taking out one cover over the other. Understanding your car rental agreement and the insurance that applies can be confusing. There are a few key points to remember. Car hire companies will often offer a basic level of insurance for damages to the car, these are called: You are liable for the excess in the event of event of an accident. This is where car rental excess insurance can come in. As with any financial decision it is important to weigh up the benefits and the costs of standalone rental vehicle excess insurance cover. We’ve summarised the below to try and make that decision easier for you. As a general rule, you will not be able to make a claim under your car rental excess insurance policy if:What options do I have for reducing car rental excess?
Why choose this option? This is typically an option for convenience if you have not bought travel insurance or car rental excess insurance.
Why choose this option? This is a great option if you are travelling and need travel insurance too.
Why choose this option? This is a great option if you specifically need a flexible policy designed specifically for car rentals.Car rental excess insurance vs travel insurance
Liabilities you need to be aware of when renting a car
Weighing up the pros and cons
Benefits of car rental excess insurance
Disadvantages of car rental insurance excess
When you won’t be paid
Accidental damage excess vs single vehicle accident excess
When taking out an insurance policy to reduce your excess, it pays to read the small print and make sure you fully understand when your cover will and won’t apply. For example, some insurance policies will reduce your rental excess only if your car is involved in an accident with another vehicle. This is called the accidental damage excess.
However, many people are unaware that if they are involved in a single vehicle accident, such as scraping the car on a wall or maybe hitting an animal, a separate excess will apply on top of the accidental damage excess. This second charge is the single-vehicle accident excess, and can end up adding more than a thousand pounds to your overall bill.
Most hire car companies will not make you aware of the single vehicle accident excess when you take out cover. So be ready to read the small print of any rental agreement before signing it to make sure exactly how many excesses each policy has and when they apply.
How do I avoid unexpected expenses?
- Inspect first. Make sure you give your rental car a thorough inspection before you drive away and make sure any existing damage is included in the condition report.
- Read the terms and conditions. Take a close look at your rental agreement and the insurance you have in place. Make sure you’re aware of when you are covered and what is excluded.
- Shop around for insurance. If you’re looking for cover to reduce the excess you’ll have to pay in the event of an accident, compare your options and shop around for a better deal. You may be able to find superior cover directly from an insurer rather than buying from the car rental agency.
- Return time. Arrange to return the vehicle at a time when it can be handed over to a person. Get that person to sign-off on the vehicle’s return so that you are not liable for any damage. Consider taking photos of the vehicle when you return it.
- Pay for tolls yourself. If you can, use your own e-tag so that you aren’t hit with any extra administration charges.
- Damage list. If the car is damaged while it’s in your possession, ask the rental company for an itemised account of any repairs required.
What are my rights if I rent a car?
Most of the rights you have when renting a car are governed by the rental agreement you sign with the car hire agency, so it pays to read the document closely. However, you also have some protection under British law. Some of these rights include:
- Consumer guarantees. These mean that the vehicle you rent must be of a reasonable quality (roadworthy, clean, free from defects), must match the model you booked and must be fit for the purpose specified by you or the rental company.
- Protection against unfair terms. In most cases, customers are given protection against things like false and misleading claims, and conduct that is deceptive and misleading.
Making a claim – tips to make sure you are paid
- Before you travel, make sure you know what evidence you will need to make a successful claim. If you are travelling with expensive items that you wish to cover, it is likely you will need original receipts or proof of ownership. Similarly, in the event of an accident you may need to obtain police and medical reports to validate your claim
- Contact your insurer as soon as possible. Don’t leave it till you get home to speak with your insurer, contact them as soon as possible so you know exactly what they require for your claim to be paid
- Co-operate. Make an effort to work closely with your insurer to provide them with everything they need for your claim
- Get evidence from officials. If you are trying to claim for loss or theft, or damage to your rental vehicle or luggage, receive an official report from the local policy a representative from your transport official
- Take your time with the claims documents. Make an effort to fill out all the necessary documentation as best you can and provide all the necessary supporting documentation on time
Ask an Expert
Do you know of an insurance company who will insure us driving an Avis Hire Car in Capetown, so that it will bring our excess down to Zero. Problem is that my husband is 86 (no one seems to insure anyone older than 85)
Hi Anne,
Thanks for getting in touch with finder. I hope all is well with you. :)
It is true that the age of your husband may decrease your the number of your options. However, it is still worth the try. On this page, we have two options on our panel that you may want to explore. Please review the criteria, details of the insurance policy, and its conditions, then contact the insurer directly to discuss your loan options and eligibility.
I hope this helps. Should you have further questions, please don’t hesitate to reach us out again.
Have a wonderful day!
Cheers,
Joshua