Understanding car hire car insurance (Malaga)

Pesto2606

Hi all,

I'm looking at renting a car from a car rental place in Malaga, I've been sensible and looked for a reputable company rather than the cheap deals Ryan air continue to offer me, slashed prices but a load of aggravation when you come to return it.

That in mind I'm trying to understand two things as I've never hired a car abroad before

1. Do I need to let my insurance know? In fact is my insurance even relevant?

2. What's the difference between the following that I can take

A. Full insurance where €400 is taken on credit card and returned when the car is returned undamaged (maximum liability)
B. Excess waiver €42 which covers undercarriage and clutch
C. Super excess waiver €56 covers the above and windscreen, scratches, tyres etc

I'm wondering if this is the same as when you hire a van and if you pay the waiver then actually that covers you for any eventuality and in doing so you'd pay nothing more than the waiver itself. Instead of the full €400

I've done that at Salford van hire in the past and it protects you from paying a bigger excess? I've asked the question to the company of course but whilst I wait a response I thought I'd check with you guys as many of you have might have rented a car in Spain before

WAYT

1. No.
2. None of the above.

Buy your car hire excess insurance independently; https://www.moneymaxim.co.uk/comparisons/car-hire-insurance.

Car hirer will block up to 1100€ on your credit card and take some or all of that in the event of an accident.
Make sure that you don't leave without an invoice for the damage, so they you can present it to the insurance company for reimbursal.

The alternative is to purchase the excess waiver direct from the car hire company, not via a third party broker.

If you haven't hired before, hire direct from the likes of Hertz/AVIS/SIXT/ALAMO/BUDGET. Perhaps looking for discount codes online and making use of Quidco.
Some of the others will simply bamboozle you with their deliberately complicated policies. So a cheap headline offer can turn into a painful experience for you. Also online brokers will confuse you by selling you third party policies wherein you think the insurance is with the car hire company.

So book with a reputable company and purchase standalone car hire excess insurance. Make sure the credit card is in the driver's name.

Beckyreid86

Hi, I am looking at doing the same, hiring a car abroad from Malaga airport for the first ever time (holiday is only due to last 5 days in September) but am sceptical after reading all of the forum boards! I don't have a credit card for any money to be held back from the car hire company in case of any damages and the Insurance information is really confusing!

I really don't know where to start!

WAYT

Beckyreid86 wrote: »

Hi, I am looking at doing the same, hiring a car abroad from Malaga airport for the first ever time (holiday is only due to last 5 days in September) but am sceptical after reading all of the forum boards! I don't have a credit card for any money to be held back from the car hire company in case of any damages and the Insurance information is really confusing!

I really don't know where to start!

Without a credit card, you will likely have to pay the car hirer directly for a excess waiver. Often up to 20€ per day and even then you may need to contact them beforehand to see if they will accept a debit card for any remaining deposit.
Some will accept debits cards, but not all.

Perhaps you can start by getting a credit card

Otherwise you generally have to pay more than anyone else for your rental.
Try here: http://www.brunoscar.com/locations/malaga-car-hire-airport

Beckyreid86

Thanks for your help! Have managed to get a great deal with the link you sent!

steve1500

Also, sign up for the car rentals news letters they quite often give you discount codes