Car Hire Excess Insurance

tomhelenscott

I occasionally hire a car in the UK. Next week I need to hire a car in Scotland for a few days. Enterprise have good hire rates, but they now charge £12 a day to reduce the excess from the standard £700 or so to £100. With car hire excess insurance companies such as Questor, it's only about £2.50 a day, and this reduces the excess to zero.
Only problem is that if you do need to make a claim, you have to pay the damage upfront to the hire company, and then claim it back from the excess insurers. This can involve more hassle, and can take weeks.
On the other hand, if you pay the £12 a day to Enterprise and you have an accident, you're automatically covered for all but the first £100.
I'm reluctant to pay the extortionate rate charged by Enterprise. But it does seem that if I have an accident, it's going to make life much easier. What do people think? Anyone got experience of making a claim through an excess insurer?

CJBeee

This has been a big dilemma for me too. I decided to take out the insurance separately but I am nervous that I have given the rental company free access to my credit card.
If you take your own insurance make sure you read the policy and conditions carefully, I have been sold a policy that excludes cars collected within 150km of my home address. As I am collecting the car from a location 30 miles from home the policy is useless and I am am trying to fight for a refund of that premium.
I find the whole car renting/insurance process a complete minefield and until I return the car and check my credit card for a few weeks following will be stressing about getting ripped off.