You can cancel your policy within 14 days of receiving your PDS and Certificate of Insurance. The premium you have paid will be refunded to you in full, as long as you have not started your trip and do not want to file a claim of any sort related to the policy. Once this 14-day period has passed, you can still cancel your policy but you will not receive any refund.
Should I Take a Daily or an Annual Car Hire Excess Insurance Policy?
PUBLISHED ON Jan, 20 2023
Sorting out car hire can be one of the most stressful parts of arranging a vacation. Even with a relatively good-value deal there is the worry that when you arrive the desk will have closed for the evening, or run out of cars or given yours to someone else etc., or you will be subjected to unpleasant hard-sell tactics.
What is the Best Way to Get the Cheapest Car Rental Insurance?
Purchasing car hire excess waiver insurance directly from the rental company would not be the best deal, and it will probably always be more expensive than other alternatives.
With CarInsuRent, your car hire insurance will be paid daily or annually, depending on the type of coverage you choose.
We encourage you to shop around, compare deals online, get a few quotes that will assist you to find the best deal. Keep in mind that car hire excess insurance comparison is not only for the best price and you should search and read some car hire excess insurance reviews as well.
See How Much You Can Save on Your Car Rental Insurance
Get StartedAnnual Car Hire Excess insurance – Reducing your Rental Car Insurance Excess
When you rent a car, the price usually includes insurance cover for a major crash or write-off, but But many car hire insurance policies impose an insurance excess of several hundred Euros. This leaves you with the bill for the first €900-€2,500 – the excess – after an accident. Car rental companies make their profits by selling add-ons, and in particular overpriced excess insurance. Car hire firms try to persuade you to buy “super CDW” insurance to bring the excess down to zero – but they charge as much as €25 per day for limited cover. It doesn’t generally cover damage to the roof, tyres, window and undercarriage of the car.
Buy Car Hire Excess Insurance in Advance
We recommend that you don’t hire a car without taking care of the excess on the insurance policy unless you’re happy to pay a hefty bill should the worst happen.
If you are reading this article it means that you’ve understand the risk and that you are aware to the fact that you don’t have to sign up to the policy you’re offered by the car rental company and that you can buy car hire excess waiver insurance from a specialist car hire excess insurance company.
CarInsuRent annual car hire excess insurance policy for Europe is US$ 89.90 (or US$ 115.90 for Worldwide coverage), and covers almost all eventualities – damage to windows, wheels and tyres, undercarriage and roof, misfuelling and the rest of the car up to US$ 2,500 per year. You can hire as many cars as you like for up to 45 days. For shorter rentals you can buy daily cover for US$ 5.50.
If you damage the car, the firms will charge the agreed excess, which you reclaim when you return home.
The drawback is that car hire desks will seek to block around €1,500 on your credit card for the duration of the rental if you don’t buy their insurance. So make sure your card has the capacity before you travel.
How to Find the Right Car Hire Excess Insurance Cover?
- The claims limits, which should be enough to cover your excess
- The price, which needs to be less than the price offered for Super CDW by the rental company to be cost effective.
- The exclusions, so you know what you can claim for
See How Much You Can Save on Your Car Rental Insurance
Get StartedAnnual Car Hire Excess Insurance Policy – the Cheapest Way to Reduce the Car Hire Excess?
You are likely to find that CarInsuRent annual car hire excess insurance policy is cheaper than single trip policies for trips of around 14 days or longer. If you are going on multiple trips across the year and will be hiring a car for these then you may find it better value in the long-term to purchase one annual policy instead of numerous single trip policies.
CarInsuRent offers you the flexibility to cover your car hire excess for a length of time which suits you.
Other Tips to Avoid Car Rental Scams
Check the car thoroughly
When you pick up the car, make sure that you mark every blemish or scratch on the rental agreement. Also check the spare wheel and whether the car is full of fuel (if it is supposed to be), and note down the mileage. We recommend that you take a video or photos as extra proof. When you return the vehicle, ask staff to inspect it and, ideally, to sign a confirmation that there is no new damage.
Keep hold of the paperwork
After you return the car and even if the rental passed off uneventfully, we recommend that you keep hold of the paperwork. In the following weeks keep an eye on your credit card to make sure promised payments are made, and that you’re not hit with extra charges.
So whether you hire a car regularly or just for a few days per year, we can provide a cover period to match. If you have any further queries please contact our customer service center either by email or over the phone within our office hours and we will be happy to help you.
FAQ
Is it worth buying car hire excess insurance?
If you are renting a car, 3rd party car hire excess insurance could save you a lot of money. If you are renting a vehicle a few times during the year or if you rent a vehicle for a long term, you are likely to find that CarInsuRent annual car hire excess insurance policy is cheaper than single trip policies for trips of around 14 days or longer.
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Travel Tips and Guides
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I cancel my policy before my trip?
Does CarInsuRent cover Sand and Ash Protection and Gravel Protection?
Our Iceland policy include Sand and Ash Protection (SAAP) and Gravel Protection (GP).
What is Sand and Ash Protection (SAAP)?
Sand and Ash Protection (SAAP) is a type of insurance coverage that is designed to protect rental cars from the potential damage caused by volcanic ash and sand in Iceland. Certain areas of Iceland still have loose ash and fine sand from the Eyjafjallajökull eruption, which can blow around and damage vehicles. SAAP is a specific waiver that was created to cover this type of damage, as Icelandic insurance companies do not include it in their Collision Damage Waiver. This coverage is optional, but highly recommended if you plan to drive in Iceland. Camping Iceland, a local car rental company, claims that SAAP will serve you well and recommends it for all rentals.When is it Common for the Wind to Toss Sand Onto the Roads?
Sand can be hurled onto roads in Iceland during the Sand & Ash period, which typically occurs in February, March, and April. During this time, the snow has only just thawed out and the grass hasn't grown sufficiently to keep the sand in its place. This can lead to damage to vehicles driving on the roads. It's important to note that sand and dust storms, which can also cause visibility issues for drivers, typically occur when strong winds lift large amounts of sand and dust from bare, dry soils into the atmosphere.What does CarInsurent Sand and Ash Protection in Iceland cover?
Due to the recent volcanic eruptions in Iceland the risk of damage to the paint and windows of the cars has increased. Our Sand and Ash Protection (SAAP) insurance can cover damage to the paint, windows, lights, plastics, chromes, and wheels of the rental car caused by sand, gravel, ash, pumice, or other earth materials being blown onto the vehicle. The deductible for SAAP insurance is typically 50,000 IKR for all rental cars in the fleet. No other insurance covers these damages and insurance companies refuse to cover them. Even though all safety rules are followed damage can happen when, for example, wind starts blowing more than was forecasted thus moving the sand/ash and damaging the car. [carInsurent_sc_get_quote_cta cta_text="See How Much You Can Save on Your Car Rental Insurence" cta_btn_text="Get Started"]
Does the Insurance Cover Lost Keys and Remote Locking Devices?
Yes. CarInsuRent insurance covers lost keys and remote locking devices. Losing the keys to a rental car can be a stressful and frustrating experience. Many people wonder if their rental car insurance will provide coverage for lost keys. Rental car insurance policies may vary in their coverage for lost keys. Lost keys are not typically covered by car insurance for loss or theft, as keys are considered personal property.
Steps to Take If You Lose Rental Car Keys
Losing rental car keys can be a frustrating and stressful experience, but there are steps you can take to get back on the road quickly. Here are some tips based on the provided web search results:- Contact roadside assistance: Most rental cars come with a roadside assistance phone number that you can call in the event of a lockout or lost keys. You should be able to call and have someone sent out to help with your situation. Note that our car hire excess waiver insurance may reimburse you for roadside assistance.
- Check for a spare key: Some rental cars come with a spare key that is located in a magnetic box under the car or in the trunk. If you have rented a car that has a spare key, this could be an option to get back on the road quickly.
- Contact the rental car company: Contact the rental car company as soon as possible to let them know what has happened. They may be able to provide you with a replacement key or arrange for a locksmith to come and assist you.
- Check your insurance policy: If you take out our car hire excess insurance you may have coverage for lost or stolen rental car keys.
- Take preventative measures: One of the best ways to avoid losing rental car keys is to make them harder to lose. Attach a big, noticeable lanyard or keychain to the keys, something that will make a noise when moved, to help you locate them quickly. Additionally, always double-check that you have the keys with you before leaving the car.
Find the answers you’re looking for to the most frequently asked car hire insurance questions as well as other questions relating to our products and services.
I am renting two different cars in two different countries (France and Portugal). It is essentially one trip, two weeks in France and 2 weeks in Portugal. Should i take out the annual or single trip policy? My quote was $85.00 for the annul cover. I want to make sure that it is a once-off annual payment, not a monthly deduction from my account, Thank you in advance.
Good morning James.
Thank you for taking the time to contact us.
The annual policy is billed only once – when you place your order. There is no recurring fee, and a friendly reminder to renew the policy (with a loyalty discount) is sent after 11 months.
You are not obligated to renew the policy (although we hope that the discount will drive you to do so).
I hope that I have addressed your question and concerns.
Have a safe trip.
The CarInsuRent Team
I have problems buying annual policy using your website. There is always some issues – either the dates cannot be chosen, or the button for changing plan A to plan B is not working. Fix these issues, please!
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