Car Hire Excess Insurance in the UK: Daily UK Car Hire Excess Insurance from US$ 6.49

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 damage, loss, or theft of the 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.

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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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 an 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.

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 car hire excess insurance starts from as low as $6.49 per day* to $94.90 for an annual policy. 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.

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.

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.

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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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. 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.

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 additional 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.