Collision Confusion! Why You Need Car Hire Excess Insurance

If you’re heading out on a crazy, spontaneous road trip, it’s easy to get caught up in the adrenaline and forget about things like insurance. Being covered is important no matter where the road takes you, particularly if you’ve opted for a rental car. Whether you’re driving across Europe or just tootling around the UK, investing in car hire excess insurance is definitely worth your while.

Why Invest?

Car hire excess insurance will stop you having to pay any fees for damage to the vehicle, as well as a few other handy extras. You might assume that the rental company covers all this for you already, but unfortunately that isn’t always the case. Investing in car hire excess insurance will give you full protection and stop you having to pay any unexpected fees.

What is Included with Car Hire?

In the UK, most vehicle rental packages will include cover for Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) and Third-Party Liability (TP). However, rental companies will charge you an excess  

(an amount of money that you must pay towards any repair costs). This means that depending on the kind of damage, you could end up spending a considerable amount of money on a car that isn’t even yours. Not the best way to end a road trip…

Voluntary Excess Insurance

Excess reimbursement insurance (voluntary excess insurance) is a great investment as it covers you even if you decide to change the hire company or choose a different rental option. In the UK, the policy covers several payments that the hire company does not reimburse you for, including fees regarding:

·         Damage to windows, roof, tyres and headlights (that are not otherwise covered by damage waivers)

·         Damage caused by using the incorrect fuel

·         Theft

·         Injury to you, and up to seven other persons noted on your rental contract

Charges that will not be reimbursed include:

·         Damage to rental cars for which the contract exceeds 60 days

·         Damage to the interior of the vehicle

·         Damage to the contents of the vehicle

How to Get It

Purchasingcar hire excess insuranceis simple; find a provider online and answera few basic questions regarding your rental agreement. You can choose between an annual policy and a daily policy, depending on when you plan to use your hired vehicle. Prices will vary depending on the insurer you choose, but never fear; there are plenty of great-value options out there.

You are guaranteed to feel more secure and at ease in your hired vehicle once you have sorted your coverage. Wherever you are travelling, there will always be a risk of accidents or theft. Although these cannot always be prevented, they can be planned for, and your money can be saved in the process. 

Author Plate

Ethan Bailey is an experienced adventure traveller and insurance expert with the team at Let's Go Insure. Ethan’s passion is to inspire his clients to go just that little bit further, deeper and higher on their travels and his expertise in providing the ideal insurance cover allows them to do just that. If you're looking for the best car hire excess insurance. Let's Go works with the most experienced underwriters, intermediaries and insurers to offer a range of competitive insurance without compromising on cover.