CAR HIRE EXCESS INSURANCE
Compatible with rental car companies in Ireland 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 trip with rental car excess cover
RentalCover is here to help travellers explore Ireland and beyond, without the fear of paying thousands if things go wrong. Our cover adds to the Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) built into your rental vehicle's costs. We cover your car rental's excess, so you pay nothing in the event of a claim.
We also cover items rental companies exclude from CDWs and even paid tiers of cover. This includes windscreens, tyres, underbodies and more. Plus, our policies are up to 50% cheaper than what the rental companies offer.†
€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 claims within 3 days
What our rental car insurance cover includes
We offer policies for a wide range of vehicles hired from rental car companies. 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 Irish travellers
RentalCover car hire excess insurance is ideal for:
Business travellers
If you travel frequently for business, our policies will help you save time and money at the rental counter.
International travellers
We help you tick off your bucket list with minimal fuss. Our policies cover you in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.
Long-stay travellers
Planning a long-term rental in the Emerald Isle? We can cover your hire vehicle for up to one year.
Holiday makers
Don’t waste any time on your dream holiday. Purchase our cover online, breeze through the check-in process and start exploring.
Trusted by 10+ million of customers worldwide
What makes our car hire excess insurance different to other Irish providers
Unlike in countries such as the United States, credit cards issued in Ireland and the rest of Europe generally don’t include any credit card insurance cover. If you want to upgrade the cover offered by your rental company, you can choose a third-party provider like RentalCover, or the extra-cost policies offered by your car rental company. These are sometimes called Super Collision Damage Waivers (SCDWs).
Here’s how your options compare:
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 car hire excess works
We make purchasing car hire insurance in Ireland simple:
Purchase your policy online
Get a transparent quote and purchase your cover online in under 2 minutes.
Decline rental company insurance
Don’t go for rental company upsells. You’re already fully protected.
Claim back any excess paid
Use our simple online process to claim back any excess you pay.
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 you hire a vehicle in Ireland, a Collision Damage Waiver (or Loss Damage Waiver) is automatically included in the price of your rental vehicle. While this cover offers base protection, it comes with large excess costs you must pay out of pocket when you make a claim. CDWs also often exclude things like tyres and windscreen damage.
If you want more comprehensive cover, you can purchase a policy from a third-party provider such as RentalCover. With our policies, there's nothing for you to pay in the event of a claim, and we cover items excluded by CDWs.
Rental companies typically offer extra-cost insurance policies sometimes called Super Collision Damage Waivers. Our cover is 50% cheaper, and more comprehensive.†
Our car hire excess policy covers you in both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, as long as your rental agreement allows you to take your vehicle across the border.
The price of car rental insurance in Ireland 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 don't offer comprehensive cover, with significant exclusions and excess to pay out of pocket when you make a claim. Our policies are up to 50% cheaper than equivalent cover from rental companies.† Get an online quote today and explore the Emerald Isle with peace of mind.
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 €4,000 excess, you must pay out-of-pocket for damages up to €4,000 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 policy's limit.
Exactly what a car rental insurance policy doesn't cover can change depending on the 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 quadbikes. You can see more restrictions here.
- Vehicle modifications such as child seats, bike rack attachments.
Yes, car excess insurance cover is worth it. We provide protection for potentially extreme rental company excess fees if your hired car is damaged or stolen. Without a rental vehicle excess insurance policy, you could face very high costs if an incident occurs.