Car Rental Coverage??

always_sunny

Can someone be kind enough to explain to me about car rental coverages?

PeacefulWaters

There is usually an excess on the free option. The highest I've ever had was £1,500. That's a big hit to your pocket if there's a lot of damage.

There are numerous free standing policies that cost c£2 a day or c£50 a year. If there is a claim you pay the car hire company and claim back from your independent insurer.

Example alternative, not a recommendation:
http://www.insurance4carhire.com/?refID=2047&subRefID=0&curID=GBP&langID=1&mkwid=sJJ3xTv09_dt&crid=68970648743&mp_kw=car%20hire%20excess%20insurance&mp_mt=e&plc=&slid=&gclid=CL3A7eyNvNACFUNmGwod3YAIcg&gclsrc=aw.ds

always_sunny

ahhhh thank you - this one on the free one says:
- C.D.W. Deductible: EUR 780.00, VAT included.
- Theft Insurance Deductible: EUR 1,560.00, VAT included.

so EUR 780 will come out of my pocket before insurance comes in? Or if the damage is less than EUR 780?

PeacefulWaters

always_sunny wrote: »

ahhhh thank you - this one on the free one says:
- C.D.W. Deductible: EUR 780.00, VAT included.
- Theft Insurance Deductible: EUR 1,560.00, VAT included.

so EUR 780 will come out of my pocket before insurance comes in? Or if the damage is less than EUR 780?

Correct......

always_sunny

PeacefulWaters wrote: »

Correct......

What if the damage is greater than 780? Do I contribute the initial 780 and insurance the rest?

PeacefulWaters

always_sunny wrote: »

What if the damage is greater than 780? Do I contribute the initial 780 and insurance the rest?

Yes. You're liability is capped.

If you have the freestanding policy you can claim back the €780 from the insurer.

If you have the car hire company's more expensive cover then there'll be a nil excess.

eDicky

Bear in mind that if you choose to buy independent insurance to cover the excess, the hire firm will preauthorise the full excess amount on your credit card when you pick up the car, and take the full amount if any damage is found on return of the car, however minor. Some of the less reputable hire firms are likely to try and make up for your not buying their extra cover by looking closely for any damage that was not noted on the condition report when you took the car, whereas if you buy their cover they probably won't even check it on return. So if you want to avoid the hassle of getting the invoice for the charge from the hire firm and going through the claims process with your separate insurer, take care with inspection and issue of the condition report, noting every defect.