CAR HIRE EXCESS INSURANCE
Compatible with rental car companies in the UK and abroad
Protection from RentalCover is compatible with rental car companies worldwide such as Enterprise, Hertz, Avis, Budget, Thrifty, Europcar and thousands more. This makes us the perfect travel companion wherever you go!
Protect your rental car with affordable excess cover
Travel in comfort, knowing that a small scrape won’t cost you thousands of pounds. Our excess insurance cover works with the Loss or Collision Damage Waiver offered by thousands of car hire companies. We cover your rental vehicle excess so there’s nothing for you to pay in the event of a claim.
We also cover items rental companies often exclude from basic CDWs. This includes damage to windscreens, tyres, vehicle underbodies and much more. Rental companies may offer more comprehensive cover through extra-cost policies known as Super Collision Damage Waivers, but our cover is 50% cheaper than these products.†
£0 Excess Cover
Nothing to pay in the event of a claim
Better Price
50% cheaper than rental companies†
3-Day Claim Payouts
We pay 98% of approved claims in 3 days
What's covered
We offer cover for a wide range of vehicles hired from rental car agencies. This includes cars, pickup trucks, sports utility vehicles, 4x4s, motorhomes/RVs, campervans and minibuses.
Cover for your car hire insurance excess, so there’s nothing for you to pay in the event of a claim.
Cover for damage rental companies usually exclude, such as damage caused by harsh climate and road conditions.
Cover for flat tyres, cracked windscreens, damaged headlights, lost keys, key replacement and lockout.
Complete cover for all authorised drivers listed on the car rental agreement.
No sky-high charges added to your repair bill, including fees for processing, loss of use, relocation and roadside assistance.
Covers rental agreements lasting more than 30 days.
Cancel anytime before pickup for a full refund.
Cover built for all types of UK travellers
Our excess insurance policy is perfect for a wide range of travellers:
Business travellers
Cover for frequent renters who want reliable cover without wasting time negotiating at the rental desk.
Holiday makers
Explore the UK and beyond with peace of mind, knowing there’s nothing for you to pay in the event of a claim.
International travellers
Save time and money at the rental desk and start ticking off your UK bucket list with our simple, affordable cover.
Long-stay travellers
We offer cover for up to one year, so you can enjoy peace of mind for long stays in the UK.
Trusted by 10+ million of customers worldwide
What makes our car hire excess insurance different to rental companies
Unlike in countries like the United States, credit cards issued in the UK don’t include rental car insurance. If you want more cover than a basic CDW, your main options are a third-party provider like RentalCover, or the policies offered by your rental agency.
Here’s how our cover stacks up against the CDW built into the price of your rental vehicle, and extra-cost Super Collision Damage Waivers.
WHAT’S COVERED |  | RENTAL CAR COMPANIES (CDW INCLUDED IN PRICE) | RENTAL CAR COMPANIES (ADD-ON SCDW COVER) |
|---|---|---|---|
Excess on damage & theft | £0 excess (we refund everything you pay) | Excess depending on company (out-of-pocket costs) | £0 excess (reduced to zero on standard vehicles) |
Underbody, tyres & windscreens | Yes £0 excess | No Not covered | No Excluded – Sold as a separate product at the counter |
Climate & weather damage | Yes Covered | No Not covered | No Excluded – Sold as a separate product at the counter |
Roadside assistance & towing | Yes Covered | No Not covered | No Excluded – Sold as a separate product at the counter |
Loss of use & admin fees | Yes Covered | No Not covered | No Not covered |
Additional drivers | Yes Covered | No Extra fees per driver at the counter | No Extra fees per driver at the counter |
Cancellable before pick-up | Yes Free | No No | No Not covered |
Claim process | Reimbursement — typically within 3 business days | Immediate waiver (no claim needed) | Immediate waiver (no claim needed) |
Find out more in our complete rental car insurance comparison breakdown.
How our excess waiver insurance works
We make it easy to cover your rental vehicle and excess costs:
Buy before you travel
Get a transparent quote and purchase your cover online in under 2 minutes.
Rental company charges your card
If you have to make a claim, your car hire firm will charge the excess to your card.
Quick reimbursement
Submit your insurance claim online with relevant documents, and we’ll reimburse your costs.
Ready to save on your rental car insurance?
Get an instant quote in under 2 minutes. No commitments, cancel anytime before pickup.
Frequently asked questions
When hiring a vehicle in the UK, a basic Collision Damage Waiver (or Loss Damage Waiver) is automatically included in the price of your rental vehicle. However, this cover comes with significant exclusions and a high excess that you must pay in the event of an incident.
There are two main options for more comprehensive cover: Third-party providers like RentalCover, or extra-cost policies from car hire companies called Super Collision Damage Waivers. RentalCover comes out on top in terms of cost, being 50% cheaper.† Our policies are also even more comprehensive, including cover for windscreens, tyres, underbody damage and loss of use fees.
Your car hire company is legally required to include third party liability insurance in the cost of your rental fees.
The price of car rental insurance in the United Kingdom can vary significantly depending on your vehicle, rental period and insurance provider. Basic Collision Damage Waivers are almost always automatically included in the price of your rental vehicle.
However, these policies often have significant exclusions and large excess charges you must pay out-of-pocket in the event of a claim.
RentalCover's policies are up to 50% cheaper than equivalent cover from rental companies.† Get an online quote today and enjoy more peace of mind on your next journey.
Almost no UK-issued credit cards include cover for rental vehicles. Credit cards issued in Canada or the United States may offer some car hire cover that applies to vehicles in the UK. However, this cover may have many additional exclusions and restrictions when you travel overseas.
Credit cards are generally not a reliable form of rental car insurance in the UK. Instead, consider a product like RentalCover for comprehensive cover that includes excess costs.
Yes, car excess insurance is worth it. We provide protection for potentially extreme rental company excess fees if your hired car is damaged or stolen. Without rental vehicle excess insurance, you could face very high costs if an incident occurs.
Rental car excess covers the additional amount you are liable for if your hired car is damaged or stolen. Excess is the amount you must pay out of your own pocket, as it is not covered by a rental car company's insurance.
If your hired car is damaged and has a rental agreement with a £2,000 excess, you must pay out-of-pocket for damages up to £2,000 before your rental agreement coverage kicks in.
However, with our rental car insurance, you are covered for the excess up to your protection limit. You will be reimbursed up to your car hire insurance policy's limit.
RentalCover extends coverage for any other countries that you visit. If you're travelling to multiple countries, simply enter the first Country of Travel into the quote form!
Exactly what a car hire insurance policy doesn't cover can vary by policy. RentalCover specifically does not cover:
- When you are 'at-fault' for injuries and damages.
- Damage from negligence.
- Unauthorised drivers.
- Reckless or negligent driving.
- Vehicle types such as supercars, high-end sports cars, motorcycles, or quad bikes. You can see more restrictions here.
- Vehicle modifications such as child seats, bike rack attachments.