Introduction
Car Hire Excess Insurance is a vital consideration for anyone planning to rent a car in the UK. This insurance type covers the excess charges that car rental companies may impose in case of rental car damage, loss, or theft of the retnal vehicle. Given that these excess fees can sometimes reach up to £1,000 or more, understanding how Car Hire Excess Insurance works can save you from unexpected financial burdens.
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Car Hire Excess Insurance UK Coverage Chart
| Warranty |
What does it cover? |
How much does it cover? |
| Damage due to collision or theft |
Reimbursement of the deductible applied by the rental company as a result of accidental damage caused to the vehicle, including tires, windshield, underbody and other parts |
$ 2,500 - $ 4,500 |
| Improper Fuel Use Charges |
Tank emptying costs and vehicle towing, when the wrong fuel is refueled into the vehicle by mistake. |
$ 500 |
| Loss or theft of keys |
In the replacement of lost or stolen keys, including lock and locksmith costs. |
$ 500 |
| Towing charges |
Covers the tow truck of the rented car in the event of a breakdown or accident. |
$ 500 |
| Vehicle return charges |
If as a result of an accident or illness with hospitalization you cannot return the vehicle. |
$ 250 |
| Personnal belongings |
In case your baggage, personal belongings or valuables are taken, permanently lost or unintentionally damaged during your trip |
$ 500 |
| Hotel expensses |
If You are unable to use your rental vehicle as a result of it being stolen or damaged |
$ 150 |
Vehicle rental excess insurance
What is insured?
- Excess reimbursement up to US$ 4,500
- Damage Waiver (LDW) up to US$ 4,500
- Towing charges up to US$ 500
- Improper fuel charges up to US$ 500
- Loss or theft of keys up to US$ 500
- Vehicle return charges up to US$ 250
- Personnal belongings up to US$ 500
- Hotel expenses up to US$ 150
What is not covered?
- Damage to the vehicle or property of a third party
- Damage caused by a person not authorized to drive the rented vehicle
- Mechanical failure of the rented vehicle
- Loss or damage to the vehicle’s interior that is not related to a collision.
- Parking tickets or fines, traffic violations and such
- Any loss that occurs outside the validity of the insurance
- Any rental contract of more than 45 days
Is the coverage subject to any type of restrictions?
- Any claim resulting from a direct breach of any of the terms and conditions of your rental agreement
- Any person under 21 or above 84 years of age
- Rentals that begin or end outside the insurance period, as indicated on the insurance certificate
- The policyholder must be designated as the main driver in the rental agreement
- The maximum amount that can be claimed for a single loss is US$ 4,500
- Damage to Recreational vehicles (RVs) / Motorhomes / Campervans (unless you have purchased a specific cover)
- Damage to vehicles provided by a peer-to-peer vehicle rental service platform or a subscription vehicle service is excluded (unless purchased specific coverage)..
Where do I have coverage?
- Anywhere in the world except trips in, to or through Afghanistan, Cuba, Congo, Iran, Iraq, Ivory Coast, Liberia, North Korea, Myanmar, Russia, Sudan, Syria, Ukraine and Zimbabwe
What are my obligations?
- When applying for your policy, you must exercise reasonable care to honestly and carefully answer any questions asked.
- You must take all reasonable steps to avoid or reduce any loss (for example, you must report accidents or other damage to your rental company nd to CarInsuRent as soon as reasonably possible).
- If you make a claim, you must provide the documents and other evidence that claims handlers need to process your claim.
- You must repay any sums to which you are not entitled (for example, if we pay your claim for an accident which is later compensated by a third party).
- You must not violate the terms of the rental agreement.
When and how do I make the payment?
- The premium must be paid in full before the policy start date. Payment can be made by credit or debit card or PayPal through our website
What is the start and end date of coverage?
- As set out in the insurance certificate, as agreed in the application process, your policy will cover you from the start date and time of your booking to the end date and time of your booking.
How do I cancel the contract?
- You can cancel your policy before the start date or within 14 days from your purchase through our customer service team.
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Oct 13, 2023
Understanding Car Hire Insurance UK
When hiring a car in the UK, several types of insurance policies are available. These include the legally mandatory liability insurance, collision damage waiver (CDW), personal accident insurance, and theft protection.
CDW insurance UK covers the cost of damage to the rental car, but it may not cover all types of damage, such as damage to the tires or windows. Theft protection covers the cost of replacing the rental car if it is stolen. Loss Damage Waiver (LDW) provides coverage for losses or damages incurred by the rental vehicle in the event of an accident or theft, as long as the renter has not violated the rental agreement’s terms and conditions. Personal Accident Insurance (PAI) covers the driver and passengers in the event of a rental car accident, providing coverage for accidental medical costs, emergency care, and accidental death.
Documenting damage to rental car
The Cost of Car Hire Insurance UK
The cost of car hire insurance in the UK can vary depending on several factors, including the type of car you are renting, the length of your rental, and the level of risk you are willing to take. Some car hire companies may include a basic level of insurance in the rental price, while others may offer additional protection options at an extra cost. The basic insurance that comes with a car rental usually has an excess, which is the amount you would be responsible for paying in the event of damage or theft of the vehicle. To reduce the excess or avoid paying it altogether, you may be able to purchase additional protection products such as a damage waiver or car hire excess insurance.
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Benefits of Having Car Rental Excess Insurance UK
Car hire excess insurance UK can save you money, provide peace of mind, and protect you against high excess charges when hiring a car in the UK. It’s important to note that the specific benefits of UK car hire excess insurance may vary depending on the rental company and the type of insurance purchased.
CarInsuRent best car hire excess insurance starts from as low as $6.49 per day* to $94.90 for an annual car hire excess insurance. Our policies covers the excess on damage and theft up to €2,500 and provide full protection that Includes single vehicle damage, roof and undercarriage damage, auto glass and widescreen damage, towing expenses, misfuelling, loss of car key and tire damage. We cover multiple drivers between the ages of 21 and 84 years.
Car Hire Insurance UK – Your Options
When renting a car, you have several options for insurance. You can purchase car rental insurance directly with the rental company, cover your excess through a third-party provider like CarInsuRent, or choose not to buy any additional insurance at all. Each option has its own pros and cons, and the best choice depends on your specific needs and circumstances.
Purchase Car Rental Insurance Directly With the Rental Company
- Rental company’s insurance – Most rental car companies offer their own insurance, which typically includes damage cover (CDW), theft cover (Theft Protection), and third-party cover (Third-Party Liability). These types of insurance options usually come with an excess, which is the first part of the bill that the renter will be responsible for. The rental company’s insurance is convenient, but it can be expensive and may not provide comprehensive coverage.
Cover Your Excess Through CarInsuRent
- Third-party car rental insurance – Third-party car rental insurance is an affordable option that can provide comprehensive coverage for rental cars. This type of insurance typically covers collision damage, theft protection, and liability, and may offer higher coverage limits than rental company insurance. It can provide a cost-effective alternative to rental car company insurance.
Don’t Buy Any Additional Insurance At All
- You are not required by law to buy a Rental Vehicle Excess Insurance or a Collision Damage Waiver. Such products are completely optional. In case of an accident (whether major or minor), rental companies would quickly bill your credit card the maximum damage. Excess fee can reach $3,000–$8,250 depending on the company and the type of car you rented.
Rental Company Insurance vs. CarInsuRent – Which Option is Best for You?
When renting a car, excess insurance is an optional add-on that can help reduce the excess amount that you would be liable for in the event of damage or theft of the rental car. CarInsuRent offers excess cover insurance, which is usually more affordable and comprehensive than CDW or LDW offered by rental companies.
Here’s how car hire excess insurance saved a customer a significant amount of money
A customer named Maryna rented a car for a week-long vacation in Europe (Bulgaria). Despite declining the rental company’s insurance coverage due to its high cost, Maryna decided to purchase standalone car hire excess insurance from CarInsuRent after reading about its benefits.
Maryna’s rental agreement
During her trip, Maryna was driving along the road and collided with a tree. Despite adhering to all traffic regulations, including speed limits, the circumstances led to scratches over the right side of the car, and small deformations of the right front door and right front aluminum rim. When she returned the car, the rental company quoted her an excessive – EUR 2,230 repair cost, which included the fixing the damages plus additional administrative fees.
Maryna’s damage report
However, Maryna had purchased car hire excess insurance, which covered the excess amount she would have to pay in such situations. As a result, she was able to file a claim with CarInsuRent, and we reimbursed her for the repair costs incurred by the rental company. This saved Maryna thousands of Euros, as she only had to pay for the car hire excess coverage instead of the full repair bill.
Maryna’s excess payment statement
This scenario highlights how car hire excess insurance can save customers a significant amount of money by covering unexpected damages to rental cars, providing peace of mind and financial protection during travels.
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What to Do When You are in a Rental Car Accident?
If you are involved in an accident while driving a rental car, there are certain steps you should follow to file a claim with the rental car insurance company. First, exchange personal information with the other driver, including name, address, license plate number, rental vehicle information, insurance company, and policy number, and document the accident with pictures and notes. If the other driver is at fault, you should get their contact and insurance information and call their insurance company directly to file a claim. If you are at fault or have non-collision damage, you can file a claim with the rental car insurance company. The process for filing a claim with the rental car insurance company may vary depending on the provider, but typically, you would need to provide details of the incident, including the date, time, and location of the accident, as well as any police report numbers, if applicable. Additionally, you may need to provide documentation of the damage, such as photographs or repair estimates.
For further advice, we encourage you to read our detailed guide to Handling a Rental Car Accident Efficiently.
How to File a Claim
If you are involved in an accident while driving a rental car, there are certain steps you should follow to file a claim with the rental car insurance company.
Required Documentation for Filing a Claim
- A copy of the Certificate of Insurance
- A copy of the rental agreement
- A copy of the police report if:
- you got in an accident with a third party
- It is legally mandated in the country of incident
- your claim is about stolen personal belongings
- A copy of the damage report given by the rental company, detailing each cost incurred. Photographs of the damage are optional but may help ensure that the charges are reasonable.
- Detailed repair receipts, invoices or other documents showing the breakdown of the amount the rental company charged you for the accidental damage or loss
- A copy of your credit card statement that reflects your payment for the claimed damages
- A copy of the driver’s license of the person driving the car during the accident
What Documents Do I Need to File My Claim?
Tips for a Smooth Claims Process
Filing an insurance claim can be a complicated and stressful process. To ensure a smoother claims process, document everything, maintain open and clear communication, avoid submitting duplicate claims, understand your coverage, and be patient.
Claims Process
Final Thoughts and Recommendations
In summary, car hire insurance UK is crucial to protect yourself against the financial impact of potential damages or theft of the rental car in the UK. It’s advisable to consider purchasing the best car hire excess insurance to ensure that you are fully protected. By understanding your options and carefully considering your needs, you can find the insurance solution that best fits your situation, providing you with peace of mind during your car rental experience.
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FAQs
What is rental car excess in the UK?
In the UK, rental car excess refers to the amount of money a renter must pay out of pocket in the event the rental car is damaged or stolen. This excess is essentially the deductible under the Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) or Theft Protection (TP) insurance provided by the rental company. Typically, the excess ranges from £500 to £2,000, depending on the car’s value and the rental company’s policy.
What is normal excess on hire cars?
The normal excess on hire cars (sometimes called the rental car damage waiver excess or deductible) varies based on the following factors: the rental company, the type of vehicle, the country of rental, and the level of coverage included in the rental agreement. Here’s a general breakdown by Region:
Europe: €500 to €2,000
USA: $500 to $1,500 (often lower due to standard insurance coverage in many states)
Australia/New Zealand: AUD 2,500 to AUD 5,000
Asia: $500 to $1,500 (varies significantly by country)
UK: £500 to £2,000
How to reduce excess on car hire?
Reducing the excess on a car hire is a common concern for renters looking to minimize out-of-pocket expenses in case of damage or theft. The most effective way to reduce or eliminate the excess is to opt for Third-Party Car Hire Excess Insurance. Specialist providers, like CarInsuRent, provide car hire excess insurance at a lower cost compared to rental companies. These policies cover the excess amount if damage or theft occurs.
What is the difference between CDW and excess insurance?
Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) and Excess Insurance serve different purposes in car hire agreements. CDW limits your financial liability for damage to the rental car, typically leaving you responsible for an excess (deductible) amount, which can range from several hundred to thousands of dollars. Excess Insurance, on the other hand, is a separate policy that reimburses you for this excess amount if you are charged by the rental company. While CDW reduces the total potential cost of damage, Excess Insurance eliminates or reimburses your out-of-pocket expense for the excess, providing comprehensive protection when used together.
