Should I buy standalone car hire excess insurance or direct from my rental company?
Here at Finder, we’re all about helping consumers get the best deal. And if you’re looking to get the best price on car hire excess insurance, buying a standalone policy is a no-brainer. Buying a policy from one of the third-party insurers in the table at the top of the page is likely to cost only a fraction of what you’ll pay if you buy cover directly from your rental company.
You’ll also be able to shop around to get cover that has the features you need. If you buy direct from the rental company, you’ll be tied to whatever their policy happens to cover (or not cover). Its policy may, of course, be exactly what you need…but it may not be.
One caveat: if you prize convenience over price, it could be worth considering buying direct. It should make things more seamless in the event of a claim, whereas if you have a standalone policy, you’ll need to pay the excess to the rental company and claim it back from the insurer. But whatever you do, don’t leave that decision till you’re at the rental desk. Doing so could leave you with no choice but to buy an expensive policy that may not cover everything you need.
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