Is Gravel Insurance Necessary?

Although this isn’t a necessary charge, it is a good addition to have with your insurance in Iceland. Your car can receive damage due to gravel being thrown by the vehicle in front of you, especially when travelling in some of the more remote locations of the country.

What is Gravel Protection (GP)?

Gravel Protection (GP) is an optional insurance coverage offered by some car rental companies, particularly in Iceland where gravel roads are common. GP provides coverage for damages caused by gravel roads to the body of the rental car, including the headlights and front windshield [1]. This insurance is highly recommended if your travel route includes gravel roads, especially off the main Route 1 or the ring road. Gravel Protection is one of the most essential optional insurances to consider in Iceland. The cost of GP coverage varies depending on the rental car company and the level of coverage chosen. The GP is designed to provide extra protection to the driver and passengers from the damages caused by gravel roads.

Do I Need Gravel Protection Insurance When Renting A Car In Iceland?

When renting a car in Iceland, there are typically two main types of insurance offered: Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) and Third Party Liability (TPL). Gravel Protection Insurance is not usually offered by car rental companies in Iceland; however, Sand and Ash Damage Insurance and Gravel Damage Insurance are offered as optional add-ons. Whether or not you need to purchase these additional insurances depends on your own personal risk tolerance and the type of driving you will be doing in Iceland. It is recommended to carefully review the terms and conditions of the rental car company and insurance policies before renting a car and to purchase any additional coverage that you feel is necessary to adequately protect yourself from potential risks.

Our Gravel Protection includes damage to windscreen, headlights and the car when gravel or rocks get thrown on the vehicle by another car. Due to the recent volcanic eruptions in Iceland the risk of damage to the paint and windows of our cars has increased.

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 gravel/sand/ash and damaging the car.

We encourage you to read our full guide about Car Rental Insurance in Europe to learn everything you need to know about CDW or LDW protection for rental cars.