Car hire excess with a debit card

chaps232

I'm currently planning a road trip round Iceland for early next year and looking at options for car hire. I don't own a credit card, so need to be able to pay via debit card. I've found a company which has good reviews which has said that they will be happy to accept payment via debit card, however they have said that I'd need to pay for their platinum insurance policy. 

Would I be able to refuse this and take out my own cover elsewhere or, because of payment via debit card, will I be tied into taking their policy?

Caz3121

I suspect iff you do not have a credit card and refuse their policy that they have stated as a requirement for a debit card they would refuse to release the car to you,

eskbanker

chaps232 said:

I don't own a credit card, so need to be able to pay via debit card.

Have you ruled out simply getting a credit card, for reasons of poor credit history, or self-control issues, or whatever?

eDicky

For a hirer who does not purchase their extra cover giving zero excess, a hire firm needs to be able to recover the insurance excess amount if necessary, usually requiring a credit card. Excess cover obtained elsewhere separately, which of course is much cheaper, is of no use or interest to a hire firm.

chaps232

Have you ruled out simply getting a credit card, for reasons of poor credit history, or self-control issues, or whatever?

I did look into the possibility of getting a credit card, however the credit limit I would be able to get based on my current salary wouldn't be enough to cover the full excess amount of around £2000. Therefore, I don't see the point in getting a credit card that I'm unlikely to use for any other purpose.

chaps232

eDicky said:

For a hirer who does not purchase their extra cover giving zero excess, a hire firm needs to be able to recover the insurance excess amount if necessary, usually requiring a credit card. Excess cover obtained elsewhere separately, which of course is much cheaper, is of no use or interest to a hire firm.

If I have the amount of money they are requiring for the excess available on a debit card that they could take if the worst was to happen, I don't see how that should be any different to having a credit card. I would then be able to reclaim this cost from the separate policy that I take out. 

eDicky

chaps232 said:

eDicky said:

For a hirer who does not purchase their extra cover giving zero excess, a hire firm needs to be able to recover the insurance excess amount if necessary, usually requiring a credit card. Excess cover obtained elsewhere separately, which of course is much cheaper, is of no use or interest to a hire firm.

If I have the amount of money they are requiring for the excess available on a debit card that they could take if the worst was to happen, I don't see how that should be any different to having a credit card. I would then be able to reclaim this cost from the separate policy that I take out. 

How would the hire firm know that enough funds are available on the debit card? Even if you could show them, it may not still be there in the event that it's later needed.

Some debit cards may be acceptable. Usually when you hand them a card at the desk they put it in the terminal and it's either accepted or rejected by their system. Any credit card should be accepted even if its credit limit is below the excess amount.

You don't really know what credit limit you will obtain until you apply for and are accepted for a credit card.

You mention 'debit card' in the singular but hopefully you will travel with more than one available, including fee-free for non-sterling use...

DullGreyGuy

Almost everywhere asks for a credit card but I almost always handover a charge card and never once has anyone said anything. I've used a debit card at least once and again no issue but in none of these cases have I highlighted its not the credit card they are asking for.

I do have credit cards and so its no risk for me, if their T&Cs say it has to be a credit card then you are reliant on them not checking and no one in IT having decided to force the rules in the systems.