Does Travel Insurance Cover Rental Car Excess?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Most major credit card companies offer free insurance coverage for car rentals in Europe

, with provisions for vehicular damage and towing, plus some other expenses. Seeking coverage through your credit card is usually the cheapest option for car insurance abroad, and often one of the simplest.

What is excess car rental insurance?

If you include rental car in your trip costs for your travel insurance plan, the cost of repairs and replacements on a rental car may be reimbursable (up to the stated limit on the plan). This

additional protection for damage and repairs

may also be referred to as car hire excess insurance.

How can I rent a car in a different country?

If you are planning to rent a car abroad,

you may be asked to present one along with your regular license from home

. You must be at least 18 years old to get an IDP. There are only two agencies in the U.S. authorized to issue IDPs: the American Automobile Association (AAA) and the American Automobile Touring Alliance.

Does Geico cover rental car if car breaks down?


Rental Reimbursement* is an optional coverage that helps pay your rental car costs while your car is being repaired as a result of a covered claim

. You can generally keep the rental car until your damaged vehicle is back on the road or until your coverage limit runs out, whichever comes first.

Do you need car insurance to rent a car in Europe?

When you rent a car in Europe,

the company will usually require you to purchase a collision damage waiver (CDW)

. This isn’t technically insurance, but an agreement that if the car’s damaged, you won’t be financially responsible. CDWs sold by European rental car agencies have a few issues, however: They’re expensive.

What is refundable excess with super cover?

Refundable Excess with Super Cover is

a service offered from Auto Europe

. A customer that has purchased it, has the right to make a claim to have the excess paid refunded from Auto Europe, should there be theft or damages to the rental car.

Does my car insurance cover me to drive in France?


Yes – as long as you have a minimum of third party car insurance, you can drive in Europe after Brexit

– all UK insurers are legally required to include at least 30 days of European cover per year. If you’re planning a longer trip, you might need to take out extra insurance.

What is excess in travel insurance?

What does Excess on Travel Insurance Mean? The definition of travel insurance excess is

the amount payable by you, in the event of a claim

and is sometimes called ‘deductible’ rather than excess. Travel insurance excess is typically applicable per person, even when travelling on the same policy.

Do I have to pay excess on car rental?

If a hire car is damaged or stolen, there’s a limit to how much the renter will have to pay to repair or replace it. ‘Excess’ is simply the name for that limit.

The car’s damage or theft cover will pay the rest of the cost

.

What is an excess waiver on a travel insurance?

Excess Waiver Travel Insurance

This means that

if you need to make a claim, you have the peace of mind that no excess will be deducted

.

Can international people rent cars?

CALIFORNIA RULES

If you plan to RENT a car, you need to be at least 21 years old;

you can rent a car anywhere with your home country driving license

.

Can you rent a car in one European country and drop off in another?


Domestic one-way car rental is usually free of charge when Enterprise renters rent and drop off a vehicle at different locations within the same European country

. International one-way car rental policies may vary between European countries and may be subject to additional fees.

Which car hire companies allow cross border travel?

Car Hire Company Cross-border travel (Yes/No) Europcar Yes Greenmotion Yes Hertz Yes Sixt Yes*

Does discover cover rental cars?

Discover card car rental insurance


Discover no longer offers car rental insurance on its credit cards

. Discover used to offer this coverage, but it’s been eliminated. If you need to rent a car and you want credit card rental car coverage, it’s best to use a different card — if possible, one with primary coverage.

Does Geico offer gap?

Gap insurance covers the “gap” or difference, if any, between your car’s actual cash value and what you still owe on it.

GEICO does NOT currently offer gap insurance

. You may want to check with your financing company to see if you have gap insurance or if it is available to you.

How do I deal with Geico adjuster?

Long story short: if a GEICO adjuster tries to engage you in a conversation about your accident and injuries, politely decline at this time, then

immediately call an attorney who knows what to say and what not to say during an insurance claim

.

Do I need insurance to drive a rental car in the UK?

Renting a car in the UK without car hire insurance

As you would expect, rental car insurance in the UK can be costly and no matter what level of coverage you purchase, you will still not be covered for any damage that occurs due to misuse or breach of the rental agreement such as using the wrong fuel or negligence.

What insurance do I need when renting a car in France?

When renting a car in France it is required by law that drivers carry

unlimited third party liability insurance

, and as a result it is automatically included in the price of all car rentals.

Should I buy Hertz rental insurance?

In general, your individual auto policy will cover your rental car. So

most people don’t need to buy rental insurance

. But it’s still a good idea to understand your personal car insurance policy before paying for your rental car. A lot of policies extend coverage to rental cars, so your rental may be covered.

What does zero excess mean when renting a car?

Some of these policies will cover more parts of the car than standard Collision Damage Waiver. Some reduce your excess. Some take the excess all the way down to zero, so

you won’t pay anything at all if you damage something that’s covered

. These are called ‘zero excess’ policies.

Is CDW the same as excess insurance?

A Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) is additional protection that reduces your liability for damage if your hire car is stolen or damaged.

You usually agree to an excess fee, meaning you’ll cover the cost of any repairs up to this amount

.

What is a refundable deductible?

A Refundable Deductible rate is a refundable deductible, where

you are still initially obligated to the deductible, but are optioned to receive a refund of the amount that you paid, up to what the initial deductible had been

.

Do I need extra insurance to drive in France?


You must have third party insurance cover (a legal requirement) at the least, but it doesn’t cover any costs incurred by you as a result of an accident

. Make sure your policy is fully comprehensive and that you have your Certificate of Motor Insurance before setting off.

Does my UK car insurance cover me in Europe?


All UK vehicle insurance provides the minimum third party cover to drive in: the EU (including Ireland)

Do I need a green card to drive in France 2021?

Will I need an Insurance Green Card to drive in France and Spain from 2021.

No – drivers will not need to carry an insurance “Green Card” when driving in France or Spain

.

Kim Nguyen
Author
Kim Nguyen
Kim Nguyen is a fitness expert and personal trainer with over 15 years of experience in the industry. She is a certified strength and conditioning specialist and has trained a variety of clients, from professional athletes to everyday fitness enthusiasts. Kim is passionate about helping people achieve their fitness goals and promoting a healthy, active lifestyle.