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  1. Home
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Rental Guide

for residents of
Australia

Car rental insurance in Australia

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So you’re renting a car in Australia. No one wants to think about rental car insurance when taking in the Opera House, but buying rental car insurance can save you thousands. Save 50% versus equivalent coverage at the rental desk. We aim to pay 95% of claims within 7 business days, so you can save your AUD for extra kangaroo jerky.
: Car

At the rental desk...

Insurance offered & what you need to know
Basic Waiver (CDW)
In Australia, CDW (also called Loss Damage Waiver, or ”LDW” if it includes theft protection) is always included when you rent cars online (it will not be offered at the rental desk). CDW covers damages but there’s a high excess to pay in the event of any damages (AU$4,000 -$7,500).
  • Excess payable for any damage is very high (up to AU$6,889.67 for cars to AU$10,334.50 for motorhomes). RentalCover Full Protection has a high limit that is designed to cover that payable excess.
  • Some types of damage are excluded by the rental company’s CDW. For instance some rental companies do not cover windscreens, cracks and chips, tyre punctures & replacements, and damages to headlights and underbody.
  • Expensive accident-related charges are added to your bill, including administration, towing and loss of use fees. 
Excess Waiver/Excess Reduction/Damage Liability Waiver etc.
Excess waivers are sold at the counter by rental companies to reduce your standard excess towards AUD$0.00, however it is expensive and the same exclusions apply.
  • Excess waivers cost AU$47.99 - AU$71.99 per day. RentalCover Full Protection is 50% cheaper, guaranteed.
  • They do not usually cover tyres, windscreens, roadside assistance costs & key loss. RentalCover’s Full Protection covers these.
  • Pay even more to get $0 excess.
  • Rental companies charge you even if you were not "at fault" in a collision with another vehicle. In Australia, when an accident occurs, the “not at fault” driver does not pay anything for damages. However, rental companies deduct your full excess and often do not refund the money at the end of the investigation (which can take several months). With RentalCover Full Protection, we step in on your behalf where possible to ensure you’re not out of pocket. We also help ensure that the rental companies treat you fairly if you weren’t at “fault”.
Roadside Assistance Cover
“RAC” is sold at the counter, it covers roadside costs such as towing, fuel and key lockout.
  • Rental companies sell RAC at the counter for AU$16.00 - AU$24.00 per day. RentalCover Full Protection has the same coverage and is 50% cheaper, guaranteed.
  • RAC does not cover key replacement and towing is capped (it can be expensive in Australia).
Personal Accident Insurance (PAI)
PAI is sold at the counter by rental companies. It compensates you for personal injuries (including passengers).
  • Rental companies sell PAI at the counter for AU$16.00 - AU$24.00.
  • The same coverage is often available via your credit card or other travel insurance policies.
RentalCover.com Comparable protection
Full Protection
RentalCover Full Protection has the same benefits as the rental company’s Excess Waiver and Roadside Assistance Cover products and it’s at least 50% cheaper. There’s $0 to pay in the event of an accident or damage, it can be cancelled up until pickup and all drivers on the rental agreement are covered. Full Protection requires that you have at least the most basic collision damage waiver (‘CDW’, ‘LDW’ or similar basic protection package) offered by the car rental company or your booking agent. In Australia, CDW is always included with the rental vehicle. Full Protection benefits:
  • Our Guarantee: We'll beat any price.
  • We pay 98% of claims within 3 business days.
  • Includes free cover for roadside assistance, towing (saves you AU$8.00 - AU$16.00 per day). Also covers key loss.
  • Covers accident-related fees.
  • Covered up to the policy limit for each individual incident.
  • Additional drivers on the rental agreement are automatically covered.
  • Damage related charges and administration costs are reimbursed once the claim is approved.
  • Cancel anytime up until vehicle collection.
  • Covers types of damage that the rental companies exclude, especially climate-related damage such as ice, hail, water/floods, snow, sand, wind, and more.
  • Covers damages caused by road conditions including ice, ash, sand and gravel damage.
  • Covers damages caused by collisions with animals.
  • Cover damages as a result of collisions with animals such as kangaroos and wombats (as long as these types of accidents don’t go against the rental agreement).
  • With RentalCover you are also subject to the terms of your rental agreement.
Full Protection
RentalCover Full Protection has the same benefits as the rental company’s Excess Waiver and Roadside Assistance Cover products and it’s at least 50% cheaper. There’s $0 to pay in the event of an accident or damage, it can be cancelled up until pickup and all drivers on the rental agreement are covered. Full Protection requires that you have at least the most basic collision damage waiver (‘CDW’, ‘LDW’ or similar basic protection package) offered by the car rental company or your booking agent. In Australia, CDW is always included with the rental vehicle. Full Protection benefits:
  • Our Guarantee: We'll beat any price.
  • We pay 98% of claims within 3 business days.
  • Includes free cover for roadside assistance, towing (saves you AU$8.00 - AU$16.00 per day). Also covers key loss.
  • Covers accident-related fees.
  • Covered up to the policy limit for each individual incident.
  • Additional drivers on the rental agreement are automatically covered.
  • Damage related charges and administration costs are reimbursed once the claim is approved.
  • Cancel anytime up until vehicle collection.
  • Covers types of damage that the rental companies exclude, especially climate-related damage such as ice, hail, water/floods, snow, sand, wind, and more.
  • Covers damages caused by road conditions including ice, ash, sand and gravel damage.
  • Covers damages caused by collisions with animals.
  • Cover damages as a result of collisions with animals such as kangaroos and wombats (as long as these types of accidents don’t go against the rental agreement).
  • With RentalCover you are also subject to the terms of your rental agreement.
 
These are our top tips to save money and hassle on your rental.

Pre-pay and save

Our Rental Car Damage Protection is available in connection with the largest online travel agencies globally or you can buy directly on RentalCover.com. Either way, you'll save 50% compared to the rental company's insurance.

Take photos before and after

Take photos and videos of the vehicle at both pickup and dropoff. During your claim, we’ll ask you to provide these photos and details if there are any unfair charges from your rental company. Take the time to capture any pre-existing damage and nominate those in your rental agreement to avoid excessive charges.

Just say 'no'

If you've bought Full Protection with us, you do not need roadside assistance from the rental company. You are required to have a basic collision damage waiver offered by the car rental company.

If you've bought Full Protection with us, you do not need roadside assistance from the rental company. You are required to have a basic collision damage waiver offered by the car rental company.




† We compared the costs of collision damage protection sold by Cover Genius Insurance Services, LLC on RentalCover.com to the average cost of collision or loss damage waivers (including taxes and fees) for a one week rental (December 11 - 17, 2016). Cost comparison is in U.S. dollars and is based on online quotes provided by Alamo, Avis and Hertz for an airport pickup and drop-off of a compact car in Boston, Dallas, Las Vegas, Orlando, and Portland for a U.S resident over age 25. No discounts applied.
With Full Protection...
  1. Notify your rental car company of the damage immediately. They will advise next steps. If the costs are likely to exceed $3,000, please notify us via our claim form before paying any money to the rental company. Make sure you check your policy wording.

  2. When your rental is finished, submit your claim at rentalcover.com/claims. You will need these documents.

  3. We pay 98% of claims within 3 business days, but do keep in mind that settlement times may differ.

  4. If your rental company provides you with a new vehicle, your RentalCover.com policy will also cover the new vehicle for the duration of your policy provided it’s a like-for-like exchange. You do not need to notify us of the vehicle change.
With Full Protection...
  1. Notify your rental car company of the damage immediately. They will advise next steps. If the costs are likely to exceed $3,000, please notify us via our claim form before paying any money to the rental company. Make sure you check your policy wording.

  2. When your rental is finished, submit your claim at rentalcover.com/claims. You will need these documents.

  3. We pay 98% of claims within 3 business days, but do keep in mind that settlement times may differ.

  4. If your rental company provides you with a new vehicle, your RentalCover.com policy will also cover the new vehicle for the duration of your policy provided it’s a like-for-like exchange. You do not need to notify us of the vehicle change.

Get a quote for your next trip

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We provide protection for rental cars, including mini-vans, pickup trucks, and sport utility vehicles rented from a rental car agency. Does not cover commercial or offroad use or exotic cars.‡