Article overview

Insurance and excess

Which insurance policies do you need? What happens if the car incurs damage? And what happens with the excess? You can read it all on this page. This means you can be sure you have everything properly organised for a worry-free car rental. Don't feel like thinking about this? Then check out our Worry-Free selection. These cars comply with the most important requirements.

In the event of damage, the Collision Damage Waiver, the CDW insurance policy, covers most of the costs. This includes situations where you cause the damage or the car is written off, for example. Please note: you will often have to pay an excess. In addition, damage to tyres, windows, mirrors, the underside, roof, interior and keys are never covered.

Material damage to another car or physical injury to persons who are not sitting in your hire car is covered by Third Party Insurance. The cover provided by this is sufficient within the EU. It may be insufficient outside the EU. Check this with your rental company, and take out extra cover at the rental location if necessary.

The cost of a stolen car is largely covered by Theft Protection. This only applies to the car itself, i.e. not to any property in the car. This is covered by your travel insurance, assuming that you have it, of course. Please note: Theft Protection also has an excess.

Excess: should you take out extra cover for this or not?

Regardless of how well your hire car is insured, you will often still have to pay an excess. The amount involved varies between rental companies. However, it is often much higher than the excess that applies to your car insurance in the UK. As such, it is a good idea to take out extra cover for the excess.

If the hire car incurs damage or is stolen, you must pay an excess. In addition, you must pay a large deposit in advance with a valid credit card in your own name.

The excess is often high
The deposit is high
If the vehicle incurs damage, things can get very expensive

Most chosen (71%)

If you take out excess cover, you must still pay a deposit when collecting the car. If the car incurs damage, the rental company will charge this deposit to your credit card. We will then refund this amount.

Cheaper than local insurance policies
The full deposit is always returned to you
You have to pay a deposit at the rental location

What happens if you choose a car with zero excess? In most cases, you will pay nothing at all. Sometimes you must still pay a deposit at the rental location, although this will be smaller. In the event of damage, this will be covered by the rental company.